Citizenship

Naturalization is the legal process through which a person who was not born a U.S. citizen becomes fully enfranchised. Naturalized citizens enjoy all the rights and share all the responsibilities of citizenship. 

USCIS weighs a number of factors when considering an application for citizenship, including length of residence, fluency in English, knowledge of American history and culture, and support for the United States Constitution. 

Basic requirements: 

Persons applying for naturalization must have been permanent residents for 5 years or, if their status is based on marriage to a US citizen and they are still married and residing with their citizen spouse, they may apply after 3 years.

Persons must have physicaly resided in the U.S. for half of the 5 years (or 3 years) required.

Applicants who have criminal convictions on their records face particularly intense scrutiny and are therefore advised to seek the counsel of an attorney experienced in this area of the law. 

To view citizenship resources available on-line from USCIS, click here.

NOTICE:  Nothing on this web site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. All information provided here is general in nature, and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. For sound legal advice, consult an attorney experienced in immigration law.

Sending an email, faxing documents, or completing a questionnaire does not establish an attorney-client relationship with Guyton Law Office, either express or implied.  Only the conclusion of a contractual agreement between Guyton Law Office and the person seeking legal representation can formalize such a relationship.

Last Update: July 20th, 2010