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1. How can I become a United States citizen? |
| A person may become a U.S. citizen
(1) by birth or (2) through naturalization. |
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2. Who is born a United States citizen? |
| Generally, people are born U.S.
citizens if they are born in the United States or if they
are born to U.S. citizens:
(1) By being born in the United States
If you were born in the United States (including, in most
cases, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), you
are an American citizen at birth (unless you were born to
a foreign diplomat). Your birth certificate is proof of your
citizenship.
(2) Through birth abroad to TWO United States citizens
In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of the following
are true:
- Both your parents were U.S. citizens when you were born;
and
- At least one of your parents lived in the United States
at some point in their life.
Your record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate
or embassy, is proof of your citizenship. You may also apply
for a passport to have your citizenship recognized. If you
need additional proof of your citizenship, you may file a
Form N-600, "Application for Certificate of Citizenship" to
get a Certificate of Citizenship. You may download the form
by clicking
here , or you may call the USCIS Forms Line at 1(800)
870-3676 to request a Form N-600.
(3) Through birth abroad to ONE United States citizen
In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of the following
are true:
- One of your parents was a U.S. citizen when you were born;
- Your citizen parent lived at least 5 years in the United
States before
you were born; and
- At least 2 of these 5 years in the United States were
after your
citizen parent's 14th birthday*.
Your record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate
or embassy, is proof of your citizenship. You may also apply
for a passport to have your citizenship recognized. If you
need additional proof of your citizenship, you may file an
"Application for Certificate of Citizenship" (Form N-600)
with USCIS to get a Certificate of Citizenship.
*If you were born before November 14, 1986 , you are a citizen
if your U.S. citizen parent lived in the United States for
at least 10 years and 5 of those years in the United States
were after your citizen parent's 14th birthday. |
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3. How do I become a naturalized citizen? |
| If you are not a U.S. citizen by
birth or did not acquire U.S. citizenship automatically after
birth, you may still be eligible to become a citizen through
the normal naturalization process. People who are 18 years
and older use the "Application for Naturalization" (Form N-400)
to become naturalized. Persons who acquired citizenship from
parent(s) while under 18 years of age use the "Application
for a Certificate of Citizenship" (Form N-600) to document
their naturalization . Adopted children who acquired citizenship
from parent(s) use the "Application for a Certificate of Citizenship
on Behalf of an Adopted Child" (Form N-643) to document their
naturalization. You may click
here to download forms or you may call the Forms Line
at 1(800) 870-3676 to request Form N-400, N-600, or N-643.
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4. What are the requirements for naturalization?
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| For more details on the eligibility
requirements for naturalization, please see the section of
this website entitled Am I Eligible?
and complete the Eligibility Worksheet or see Section
4 "Who is Eligible For Naturalization" in the Guide to
Naturalization . |
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5. When does my time as a Permanent Resident begin?
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| Your time as a Permanent Resident
begins on the date you were granted permanent resident status.
This date is on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known
as Alien Registration Card). Click
here to view a sample card.. |
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6. What form do I use to file for naturalization?
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| You should use an "Application
for Naturalization" (Form N-400). You may click here
to download the form or call the Forms Line at 1(800)
870-3676 to request a Form N-400. |
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7. If I have been convicted of a crime but my record
has been expunged, do I need to indicate that on my application
or tell an Immigration officer? |
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Yes. You should always be honest with Immigration regarding
all:
· Arrests
(including those by police, Immigration Officers, and
other Federal Agents);
· convictions (even if they have been expunged); and
· crimes you have committed for which you were not arrested
or convicted.
Even if you have committed a minor crime, Immigration may
deny your application if you do not tell the Immigration officer
about the incident. It is extremely important that you tell
Immigration about any arrest even if someone else has advised
you that you are not required to do so. |
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8. Where do I file my naturalization application?
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| You should send your completed
"Application for Naturalization" (Form N-400) to the appropriate
USCIS Service Center . For information about the Service Center
that serves your area, please refer to the state map under
Where
Do I Apply? Remember to make a copy of your application.
DO NOT send original documents with your application unless
the checklist on page 34 states that an original is required.
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9. Will USCIS provide special accommodations for
me if I am disabled? |
| Some people with disabilities need
special consideration during the naturalization process. USCIS
will make every effort to make reasonable accommodations in
these cases. For example, if you use a wheelchair, we will
make sure your fingerprint location is wheelchair accessible.
If you are hearing impaired and wish to bring a sign language
interpreter to your interview, you may do so. Asking for an
accommodation will not affect your eligibility for naturalization.
USCIS makes decisions about making accommodations on a case-by-case
basis. |
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10. Where is my local Immigration office? |
| See the " List of Field
Offices ." |
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11. What is the fee for processing an application?
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| The current fee for processing
a naturalization application, as well as the fees for other
applications, can be found by clicking
here . |
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12. How can I pay my application fee? |
| You must pay your application fee
with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars
payable to "USCIS."
- Residents of Guam should make the fee payable to "Treasurer,
Guam ."
- Residents of the Virgin Islands should make the fee payable
to "Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands ."
- You must send your fee with your application. Remember
that your application fee is not refundable even if you
withdraw your application or USCIS denies your case.
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13. How long will it take to become naturalized?
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| The time it takes to be naturalized
varies from one local office to another. In 1997, in many
places, it took over 2 years to process an application. USCIS
continues to improve the naturalization process. As of October
2001, USCIS reported that it takes, on average, between 6
and 9 months to become naturalized. |
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14. Where can I be fingerprinted? |
| After USCIS has received your application,
we will notify you of the location where you should get fingerprinted.
For more information about fingerprinting, click here
to visit the site on Fingerprints or see page 36 of the
Guide to
Naturalization . |
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15. How do I determine the status of my naturalization
application? |
| For information, please click on
"Finding the
Status of Your Case" . |
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16. What if I cannot make it to my scheduled interview?
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| It is very important not to miss
your interview. If you have to miss your interview, you should
notify the office where your interview is scheduled by mail
as soon as possible. In your letter, you should ask to have
your interview rescheduled. Rescheduling an interview may
add several months to the naturalization process, so try not
to change your original interview date. If an emergency arises
and you absolutely cannot make your appointment, call the
National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 to request
rescheduling. The NCSC will record the information, and pass
it on to the local office, which will make the final decision
whether to reschedule your appointment. If you miss your scheduled
interview without notifying USCIS, we will "administratively
close" your case. Unless you contact USCIS to schedule a new
interview within 1 year after USCIS closes your case, we will
deny your application. USCIS will NOT notify you if we close
your case because you missed your interview. |
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17. What do I do if my address has changed? |
| Please click
here for information on how to change your address with
USCIS. |
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18. If USCIS grants me naturalization, when will
I become a citizen? |
| You become a citizen as soon as
you take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States . In
some places, you can choose to take the Oath the same day
as your interview. If that option is not available or if you
prefer a ceremony at a later date, USCIS will notify you of
the ceremony date with a "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony"
(Form N-445). |
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19. What should I do if I cannot go to my oath ceremony?
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| If you cannot go to the oath ceremony,
you should return the "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony"
(Form N-445) that USCIS sent to you. You should send the N-445
back to your local office. Include a letter saying why you
cannot go to the ceremony. Make a copy of the notice and your
letter before you send them to USCIS. Your local office will
reschedule you and send you a new "Notice of Naturalization
Oath Ceremony" (Form N-445) to tell you when your ceremony
will be. |
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20. What can I do if USCIS denies my application?
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| There is an administrative review
process for those who are denied naturalization. If you feel
that you have been wrongly denied naturalization, you may
request a hearing with an immigration officer. Your denial
letter will explain how to request a hearing and will include
the form you need. The form for filing an appeal is the "Request
for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings under
Section 336 of the Act" (Form N-336). |
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21. Can I reapply for naturalization if USCIS denies
my application? |
| In many cases, you may reapply.
If you reapply, you will need to complete and resubmit a new
N-400 and pay the fee again. You will also need to have your
fingerprints and photographs taken again. If your application
is denied, the denial letter should indicate the date you
may reapply for citizenship. If you are denied because you
failed the English or civics test, you may reapply for naturalization
as soon as you want. You should reapply whenever you believe
you have learned enough English or civics to pass the test.
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22. What do I do if I have lost my Certificate of
Naturalization? What do I use as proof of citizenship if I
do not have my certificate? |
| You may get a new Certificate of
Naturalization by submitting an "Application for Replacement
Naturalization/Citizenship Document" (Form N-565) to USCIS.
You may download a Form N-565 by clicking
here or by calling the Forms Line (1 800-870-3676).
Submit this form with the fee to your local USCIS office.
It may take up to 1 year for you to receive a new certificate.
If you have one, you may use your passport as evidence of
citizenship while you wait for a replacement certificate.
To obtain a U.S. passport, please visit the Department of
State's website by clicking
here . |
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23. Do I need to obtain a new Permanent Resident
Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Card) when USCIS
issues a new version of the card? |
| No, you only need to renew your
Permanent Resident Card when it expires. For information on
renewing an expired card, click here and
see our press release on renewing expiring/expired 10-year
cards by clicking
here . |
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24. If I am a U.S. citizen, is my child a U. S. citizen?
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| A child who is born in the United
States, or born abroad to a U.S. citizen(s) who lived in (or
came to) the United States for a period of time prior to the
child's birth, is considered a U.S. citizen at birth.
A child who is:
- born to a U.S. citizen who did not live in (or come to)
the United States for a period of time prior to the child's
birth, or
- born to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent or
two alien parents who naturalize after the child's birth,
or
- adopted and is permanently residing in the United States
can become a U.S. citizen by action of law on the date on
which all of the following requirements have been met:
- The child was lawfully admitted for permanent residence*;
and
- Either parent was a United States citizen by birth
or naturalization**; and
- The child was still under 18 years of age; and
- The child was not married; and
- The child was the parent's legitimate child or was
legitimated by the parent before the child's 16th birthday
(Stepchildren or children born out of wedlock who were
not legitimated before their 16 th birthday do not derive
United States citizenship through their parents.); and
- If adopted, the child met the requirements of section
101(b)(1)(E) or (F) and has had a full and final adoption;
and
- The child was residing in the United States in the
legal custody of the U.S. citizen parent (this includes
joint custody); and
- The child was residing in the United States in the
physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.
If you and your child meet all of these requirements, you
may obtain a U.S. passport for the child as evidence of citizenship.
If the child needs further evidence of citizenship, you may
submit an "Application for Certificate of Citizenship" (Form
N-600) to USCIS to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship. If
the child meets the requirements of Section 101(b)(1) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act as an adopted child, you may
submit an “Application for Certificate of Citizenship on Behalf
of an Adopted Child” (Form N-643). (Note: a child who meets
these requirements before his or her 18th birthday may obtain
a passport or Certificate of Citizenship at any time, even
after he or she turns 18.)
*NOTE – Children who immigrate in the “IR-3” or “IR-4” categories
must have had an immigrant petition filed on their behalf
before their 16 th birthday; see answers to Question 25 below.
All adoptions for any other type of immigration benefit, including
naturalization, must be completed by the child's 16 th birthday,
with one exception: A child adopted while under the age of
18 years by the same parents who adopted a natural sibling
who met the usual requirements.
**NOTE – The “one U.S. citizen parent” rule only applies
to children who were under age 18 on or after February 27,
2001 . For children claiming automatic citizenship prior to
this date, the individual in certain cases would have to establish
that the parent or parents who were not U.S. citizens by birth
had naturalized (or that the naturalizing parent was separated
or legally divorced and had legal custody of the child). |
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25. If I am a U.S. citizen, but my child does not
meet the requirements listed above, can I still apply for
citizenship for my child? |
| A child who is regularly residing
IN the United States can become a citizen of the United States
only by meeting the requirements listed in the answer to Question
24 above. If a child regularly resides IN the United States
and is not a lawful permanent resident, he or she cannot acquire
citizenship automatically until he or she is granted lawful
permanent residence. If a child who has been lawfully admitted
for permanent residence fails to qualify for citizenship under
the provisions of law, the child may apply for naturalization
by filing an N-400 after reaching 18 years of age, provided
that he or she has the required 5 years of lawful permanent
residence.
U.S. citizens may apply for citizenship for their children
by birth or adoption who do NOT regularly reside in the United
States , if all of the following conditions are met:
- The child is under 18 years of age; and
- The child is not married; and
- The child regularly resides outside the United States
; and
- The child is temporarily present in the United States
pursuant to a lawful admission and is maintaining such lawful
status; and
- The child is in legal and physical custody of a parent
who is a U.S. citizen; and
- The child is the U.S. citizen's legitimate child, or was
legitimated before the child's 16th birthday (stepchildren
or children born out of wedlock who were not legitimated
before their 16 th birthday are not eligible for this procedure);
and
- If adopted, the child meets the requirements of section
101(b)(1)(E) or (F) and had a full and final adoption; and
either of the following is true:
- The citizen parent has lived at least 5 years in the
United States , and at least 2 of which were after the
citizen parent's 14 th birthday; or
- If the child's citizen parent has not lived in the
United States for at least 5 years, 2 of which were
after that parent's 14 th birthday, the citizen parent
currently has a parent (the child's grandparent) who:
- is also a U.S. citizen; and
- lived in the United States for 5 years, at least
2 of which were after the citizen grandparent's
14 th birthday; and
- is still living at the time of the adjudication
of the application and the taking of the Oath.
If the foregoing conditions are met, the citizen parent can
apply for a certificate of citizenship in behalf of a legitimate
or legitimated child using an "Application for Certificate
of Citizenship" (Form N-600) or, in the case of an adopted
child, an “Application for Certificate of Citizenship on Behalf
of An Adopted Child” (Form N-643). If the citizen parent is
relying on the grandparent's physical presence in the United
States , the citizen parent should also submit Form N-643,
Supplement A. Both the citizen parent and the child must appear
at an interview with an Immigration officer in the United
States . The child must meet ALL of the required conditions
at the time when he or she takes the Oath of Allegiance (Note:
the Oath may be waived if the child is too young to understand
it). |
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26. If the U.S. citizen who transmitted citizenship
to a child through one of the scenarios described in # 24
above or who could have applied for naturalization and the
issuance of a Certificate of Citizenship through the procedure
described in # 25 above has died, can the child still obtain
a Certificate of Citizenship? |
| A person who became a U.S. citizen
through one of the scenarios described in # 24 above can be
issued a Certificate of Citizenship at any time in his or
her life as long as he or she has not gone through the difficult
procedure of renouncing U.S. citizenship. If the person has
not yet reached their 18th birthday, a legal guardian can
file the application. If the person has reached their 18th
birthday, either the person or a legal guardian can file the
application.
A child who could have been the beneficiary of an application
filed through the procedure described in # 25 above, except
for the death of a U.S. citizen parent, can become a U.S.
citizen and can be issued a Certificate of Citizenship, if
the following conditions are met:
- The application must be filed within five years of the
death of the U.S. citizen parent; and
- The application must be filed by either a U.S. citizen
grandparent or a U.S. citizen legal guardian; and
- The child is under 18 years of age; and
- The child is not married; and
- The child regularly resides outside the United States
; and
- The child is temporarily present in the United States
pursuant to a lawful admission and is maintaining such lawful
status at the time of the interview and adjudication of
the application; and
- The person in whose legal and physical custody the child
lives with outside the United States does not object to
the application; and
- The child was the U.S. citizen's legitimate child, or
was legitimated before the child's 16th birthday (stepchildren
or children born out of wedlock who were not legitimated
before their 16th birthday are not eligible for this procedure);
and
- If adopted, the child meets the requirements of section
101(b)(1)(E) or (F) and had a full and final adoption; and
- The citizen parent has lived at least 5 years in the United
States , and at least 2 of which were after the citizen
parent's 14th birthday; or
- If the child's citizen parent has not lived in the United
States for at least 5 years, 2 of which were after that
parent's 14th birthday, at the time of the citizen parent's
death the citizen parent had a parent (the child's grandparent)
who:
- was also a U.S. citizen; and
- at the time of the citizen parent's death had lived
in the United States for 5 years, at least 2 of which
were after the citizen grandparent's 14th birthday.
Once all of the requirements have been met, any U.S. citizen
grandparent or duly appointed U.S. citizen legal guardian
can file an application on behalf of an eligible child. The
child must be residing outside the United States in order
to be eligible for this benefit, but the applicant can reside
in or outside the USA . Although the cutoff date for applications
pursuant to 322 filed by a citizen grandparent or by a citizen
legal guardian is five years after the death of the citizen
parent, the joint interview of the applicant and the child
beneficiary can be conducted at any Immigration Office in
the United States that conducts these interviews at any time
while the child is still under the age of eighteen years.
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27. How do I register with selective services? |
| Selective Service registration
allows the United States Government to maintain a list of
names of men who may be called into military service in case
of a national emergency requiring rapid expansion of the U.S.
Armed Forces. By registering all young men, the Selective
Service can ensure that any future draft will be fair and
equitable.
Federal law requires that men who are at least 18 years old,
but not yet 26 years old, must be registered with Selective
Service. This includes all male non-citizens within these
age limits who permanently reside in the
United States . Men with "green cards" (lawful permanent residents)
must register. Men living in the United States without Immigration
documentation (undocumented aliens) must also register. But
men cannot register after reaching age 26.
Why Do I Need to Register with the Selective Service?
Failure to register for the Selective Service may (in certain
instances) make you ineligible for certain immigration benefits,
such as citizenship.
· For instructions on registering with Selective Service
as an immigrant, please see the Selective Service System's
" Registration
Information. "
· If you would like to confirm that you or someone else are
registered with Selective Service, please see the Selective
Service System's "Check a Registration" Webpage.
· If you would like answers to frequently asked questions
about Selective Service, please see Selective
Service System's "Frequently Asked Questions" Webpage .
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28. I lost my Naturalization Certificate and I need
to travel outside the U.S., how can I obtain proof of my citizenship
so that I can apply for a U.S. passport with the Department
of State? |
| You should file Form N-565 (Application
for Replacement Naturalization Citizenship Document) with
your local office to replace the lost certificate. You may
also contact the Department
of State for information on how to obtain a passport.
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