US. Citizenship Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions regarding United States
Citizenship. For detailed information and application forms, it is recommended that you order
the U.S. Citizenship Information and Application Kit.
| How can I become a United States citizen? |
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A person may become a U.S. citizen, (1) by
birth, or (2) through naturalization. |
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Who is born a United States citizen?
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Generally, people are born U.S. citizens if they are born in the United States
or if they are children of 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.
- 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. All application forms are included in the U.S.
Citizenship Information and Application Kit.
(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 BCIS 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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How do I become
a naturalized U.S. citizen? |
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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. For further information
on application procedures,
how to prepare for the naturalization test,
it is recommended that you order the U.S.
Citizenship Information and Application Kit. |
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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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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 more
information about the Service Center that serves your area. Remember to make a copy
of your application. For further information on application procedures, how to
prepare for the naturalization test, it is recommended that you order the U.S.
Citizenship Information and Application Kit. |
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Will USCIS provide
special accommodations for me if I am disabled?
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Yes.
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, USCIS
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. |
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How much is the application fee, and how do I pay it? |
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The current application fee is listed in U.S.
Citizenship Information and Application Kit.
You must pay your application fee with either, a
check, money order 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. Remember that your application fee is not
refundable even if you withdraw your application
or the USCIS denies your case.
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How long will it take to become naturalized?
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It takes on average between 6 and 9 months. |
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Where can I be fingerprinted? |
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After the USCIS has received your application, USCIS
will notify you of the location where you should get fingerprinted. |
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How do I determine
the status of my naturalization application? |
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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 the USCIS, you can call the National
Customer Service Center
for information. When you call, please have
your A-number, any receipt number issued
to you after the USCIS received your application,
and the last notice you received about your
case. The National
Customer Service Center 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;
- Your 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 INS or USCIS for your application.
- A copy of the most recent notice sent to you by the USCIS on your case, if
you have received one.
- 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 the USCIS,
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 the USCIS for your
application.
- A copy of the most recent notice sent to you by the USCIS on your case, if
you have received one.
- 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.
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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 are 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, you should contact the National Customer Service Center
to request rescheduling.
The USCIS will record the information, and
pass it on to your local office, they will
make the final decision when to reschedule
your appointment. If you miss your scheduled
interview without notifying the USCIS, USCIS will
"administratively close" your
case. Unless you contact the USCIS to schedule
a new interview within 1 year after the USCIS closes your case, they will deny your application.
The USCIS will NOT notify you if they close
your case because you missed your interview.
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If the USCIS grants me naturalization, when
will I become a citizen?
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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, the USCIS will notify
you of the ceremony date with a "Notice
of Naturalization Oath Ceremony" (Form
N-445).
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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 the 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 take place. |
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Can I reapply
for naturalization if the USCIS denies my application?
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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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How do I register
with selective services? |
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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. All 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. |
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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 |
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I am a United States citizen.
How do I obtain a copy of my Certificate of Citizenship? |
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For information how to obtain a copy of your Certificate of Citizenship,
click here. |
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