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Citizenship: The Naturalization Process

By: Jonathan N. Portner
Sameer Sidh
March 12, 2009

Attaining U.S. citizenship can be one of the most significant events in the lives of many immigrants.  A number of factors are taken into account by the U.S. government before a decision is made on whether or not to grant citizenship to a current green card holder.  To ensure the best possible chance at becoming a U.S. citizen, a green card holder should retain a careful, competent attorney to guide them through the sometimes confusing naturalization process. 
There are four central requirements that an applicant for naturalization must meet in order to be eligible for U.S. citizenship.  Those requirements are as follows:

1. Good Moral Character

Demonstration of good moral character is relatively simple if the applicant has maintained a clean criminal record.  If the applicant has criminal charges or convictions on their record, especially within the preceding five years, the applicant should be sure to hire an attorney and to have detailed documentation of their prior transgressions.            

1. Continuous Residence

Generally, an applicant must possess a green card for a period of five years and must spend a significant majority of that time on U.S. soil before they meet the continuous residence requirement.  The exception to this rule is that applicants who secured their green card as the spouse of a U.S. citizen must only hold their green card for three years before gaining eligibility for citizenship.  An application for citizenship can be filed up to 90 days prior to the applicant satisfying the required time of green card possession.

1. Successful Completion of a U.S. History Exam
   

All applicants will have to pass a U.S. history exam during an in-person interview to become a citizen.  Applicants who are over 65 years old and who have held a green card for over 20 years are permitted to take a simplified version of the test.

1. The Ability to Read, Write and Speak English

Applicants must also demonstrate the ability read, write and speak English during the course of an in-person interview.  An applicant will be exempt from meeting this requirement if on the date of filing they:
(a)        Have held a green card for a period of 20 years and are over the age of 50, or
(b)        Have held a green card for a period of 15 years and are over the age of 55.      
The law firm of Portner & Shure is equipped to guide applicants for citizenship through all stages of the naturalization process.  Through this process, the firm will assist the applicant in completion of the N-400 Application, identify documents that need to be submitted and assist in collection of those documents, and thoroughly prepare the applicant for an in-person interview.  For questions on how to become a U.S. citizen, contact our office and schedule a consultation.