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How can I become a United
States citizen?
Who is born a United States
citizen?
How do I become a naturalized
citizen?
What are the requirements for
naturalization?
When does my time as a
Permanent Resident begin?
What form do I use to file
for naturalization?
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?
Where do I file my naturalization
application?
Will USCIS provide special accommodations
for me if I am disabled?
How can I pay my application
fee?
How long will it take to become
naturalized?
Where can I be fingerprinted?
How do I determine the status
of my naturalization application?
What if I cannot make it to
my scheduled interview?
If USCIS grants me naturalization,
when will I become a citizen?
What should I do if I
cannot go to my oath ceremony?
Can I reapply for naturalization
if USCIS denies my application?
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?
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?
If I am a U.S. citizen,
is my child a U. S. citizen?
How do I register with selective
services?
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?
How can I become
a United States citizen?
A person may become a U.S. citizen (1) by
birth or (2) through naturalization. top
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.
top
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. For more information
about the N-400, procedures to file, and
how to prepare for the naturalization test,
you may purchase our citizenship
information and forms package.
top
What are the requirements
for naturalization?
To get a detailed description of the requirements
for naturalization, you may purchase our
citizenship
information and forms package.
top
When does my time
as a Permanent Resident begin?
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.
What form do I use
to file for naturalization?
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. For more information about
the N-400, procedures to file, and how to
prepare for the naturalization test, you
may purchase our citizenship
information and forms package.
top
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?
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.
top
Where do I file
my naturalization application?
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. Remember to make a copy
of your application. For more information
about the N-400, procedures to file, and
how to prepare for the naturalization test,
you may purchase our citizenship
information and forms package.
top
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.
The USCIS makes decisions about making accommodations
on a case-by-case basis.
top
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 the "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.
top
How long will
it take to become naturalized?
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. The USCIS continues
to improve the naturalization process. As
of October 2001, the USCIS reported that it
takes, on average, between 6 and 9 months
to become naturalized.
top
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. For more
information about fingerprinting, procedures
to file, and how to prepare for the naturalization
test, you may purchase our citizenship
information and forms package.
top
How do I determine
the status of my naturalization application?
If you have been scheduled for a
naturalization interview:
Calling: If your application
is pending for longer than the processing
time projected on your receipt, and you
have not recently received any type of notice
or update from USCIS, you can call the National
Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283
for information. When you call, please have
your A-number, any receipt number issued
to you after USCIS received your application,
and the last notice you received about your
case. NCSC Customer Service Representatives
use information provided by each local office
to answer questions about case status and
processing times.
Writing or visiting The USCIS Office:
While calling can be more convenient, you
may instead choose to request an update
by writing or going to your local USCIS office.
- If you write, please provide the following
in your letter:
- Your current name and address, and,
if different, your name as it appears
on your application;
- Any A-number, which is an 8 or 9 digit
number following the letter "A",
assigned to you or to your application;
- Your date of birth;
- The date and place where your application
was filed;
- Any receipt number from any receipt
notice issued by USCIS for your
application;
- A copy of the most recent notice sent
to you by USCIS on your case, if
you have received one; and
- The date and office where you were fingerprinted
and where you were interviewed, if this
has been done.
Sign your request, or, if you are preparing
the request for the applicant, have him
or her sign the request. Please mark your
envelope: ATTN: Status Inquiry.
If you have NOT been scheduled
for a naturalization interview:
Calling: You may obtain
case status by calling 1 (800) 375-5283,
and following the automated instructions.
Please have your receipt number ready.
Writing: While calling
can be more convenient, you may instead
choose to request an update by writing the
Service or Benefits Center where your case
is pending. Please note that the Texas Service
Center prefers that customers fax their
inquiries.
If you write, please provide the following
in your letter:
- Your current name and address, and,
if different, your name as it appears
on your application;
- \Any A-number, which is an 8 or 9 digit
number following the letter "A",
assigned to you or to your application
Your date of birth;
- The date and place where your application
was filed;
- Any receipt number from any receipt
notice issued by USCIS for your
application;
- A copy of the most recent notice sent
to you by USCIS on your case, if
you have received one; and
- The date and office where you were fingerprinted
and where you were interviewed, if this
has been done.
- If you filed electronically, include
a copy of your Confirmation Receipt notice.
Sign your request, or, if you are preparing
the request for the applicant, have him
or her sign the request. Please mark your
envelope: ATTN: Status Inquiry.
top
What if I cannot
make it to my scheduled interview?
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 USCIS 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, they will deny your application.
The USCIS will NOT notify you if we close
your case because you missed your interview.
top
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).
top
What should I
do if I cannot go to my oath ceremony?
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.
top
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.
top
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 get the form
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.
top
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.
top
If I am a U.S.
citizen, is my child a U. S. citizen?
For more information about children and
naturalization, purchase of naturalization
information and forms package.
top
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.
top
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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