How to Obtain American Citizenship
Although obtaining American citizenship is not easy, millions of people have accomplished it. Nevertheless, the process is uncertain in most cases, the requirements can be complex and difficult to meet and the entire process could take a decade or more. Applications to immigrate to the United States should be filed at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country, and applications for U.S. citizenship are filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Internet access
- Printer
- Copies of personal documents
- Camera
- Passport
Instructions
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1
Locate someone to sponsor a permanent resident (green card) application on your behalf. Most aspiring immigrants are sponsored by either a family member who is already a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or a U.S. employer for a position in which U.S. workers are in short supply. If successful, you will be issued an immigration visa that will be stamped onto your passport.
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Enter the United States on your immigration visa. Your Permanent Residence Card (green card) will be mailed to your U.S. address within a few weeks of your entry to the United States.
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3
Note the date of issuance that is displayed on the front of your green card and calculate the date upon which you will be eligible to apply for naturalization to US citizenship. If your immigration application was sponsored by a U.S. citizen spouse, you will be eligible to apply for naturalization three years after the date of issuance; otherwise you will probably become eligible five years after the issuance date.
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Download Form N-400 ("Application for Naturalization") from the USCIS website as soon as you become eligible to apply for naturalization, fill it out, assemble all requested documentation, have two passport-style photographs taken, and mail the entire package along with the application fee (currently $675) to the USCIS Lockbox Facility or Service Center with jurisdiction over your state of residence. If your application qualifies, you will receive an Appointment Letter from the USCIS within a few weeks.
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Bring your Appointment Letter with you to the address specified therein in order to be fingerprinted. The USCIS will the mail you a letter setting the place and time for your naturalization interview.
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Bring official identification, your green card, and any necessary documents (such as marriage and birth certificates) to your naturalization interview. You will be asked questions about your citizenship application and will be tested on basic English language skills and knowledge of US history and political institutions. If the USCIS is satisfied with your interview, you will be instructed on where to appear to attend the Naturalization Ceremony.
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Take the Oath of Allegiance at the Naturalization Ceremony (most likely in a local courthouse) and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.
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Tips & Warnings
Marriage to a US citizen is generally the surest and quickest way to obtain US citizenship. Be careful though -- US immigration authorities are very keen to detect sham marriages entered into solely for immigration purposes.
Obtaining permanent residence in the US will require you to submit a medical examination and an Affidavit of Support along with your application. If you are judged a health risk (for example, if you are HIV-positive) or cannot demonstrate a source of financial support while in the United States, your application will be denied.
