1. How can I become a U.S. citizen?
You may become a U.S. citizen (1) by birth or (2) through naturalization.

2. Who is born a U.S. 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) 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) If you were born abroad to TWO U.S. citizens:
And at least one of your parents lived in the United States at some point in his or her life, then in most cases you are a U.S. citizen
(3) If you were born abroad to ONE U.S. 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.

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. With our software you can easily prepare your application for citizenship and file it with USCIS. Click on "Start Your Application" button at the bottom of the page.

4. If I am a U.S. citizen, is my child a U.S. citizen?
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 generally 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
• who is 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 16th 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) of Immigration and Nationality Act 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. (Note: a child who meets these requirements before his or her 18th birthday may obtain a passport of Certificate of Citizenship at any time, even after he or she turns 18). If the child meets the requirements of Section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act as a child residing outside the United States, you may submit an "Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322" (Form N-600K).

5. If I have been convicted of a crime but my record has been expunged, do I need to write that on my application or tell an USCIS officer?
Yes. You should always be honest with USCIS about all:

• arrests (even if you were not charged or convicted);
• convictions (even if your record was cleared or expunged); and
• crimes you have committed for which you were not arrested or convicted. Even if you have committed a minor crime, USCIS may deny your application if you do not tell the USCIS officer about the incident.

6. Will USCIS help me or make accommodations for me if I am disabled?
USCIS will make every effort to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities who need modifications to the naturalization process to demonstrate their eligibility. For example, if you use a wheelchair, USCIS will make sure you can be fingerprinted, interviewed, and sworn in at a location that is wheelchair accessible. If you are hearing impaired, the officer conducting your interview will speak loudly and slowly, or USCIS will work with you to arrange for a sign language interpreter. If you use a service animal, such as a guide dog, your animal may come with you to your interview and oath ceremony. If you know in advance that you will need some kind of accommodation, write a letter explaining what you will need and send it to the district office that will interview you after you receive your interview notice. USCIS is continuing to work on better ways to make the naturalization process easier for applicants with disabilities.

7. How long will it take to become naturalized?
The time it takes to be naturalized varies by location. USCIS is continuing to modernize and improve the naturalization process and would like to decrease the time it takes to an average of 6 months.

8. What is the current fee for processing the application?
The current fee for processing the application is $595, plus additional biometric fee of $80.

9. Where can I be fingerprinted?
You will receive information on where to get fingerprinted after the USCIS receives your application.

10. What if I cannot go to my scheduled interview?
It is very important not to miss your interview. If you have to miss your interview, you should write the office where your interview is scheduled 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 you miss your scheduled interview without notifying USCIS, it will “administratively close” your case. Unless you contact USCIS to schedule a new interview within 1 year after we close your case, your application will be denied. USCIS will not notify you if your case is closed because you missed your interview.

11. What do I do if my address has changed?
It is important l that the USCIS have your current address. The USCIS will be sending all the important information to you by mail. If they do not have your current address, you may not receive letters telling you about the date and time of your interview or about additional documents you may need to file. If you have changed your address after filing your application, you need to call the National Customer Service Center's toll-free number at 1-800-375-5283 to notify your change of address. It is also recommended that you contact the United States Postal Service to notify them of your new address in order for mail that is already on its way to be forwarded to you.

12. Can I change my name when I naturalize?
You can change your name as part of your naturalization if a court in your area conducts naturalization oath ceremonies. Otherwise, no name change can be recorded on your Certificate of Naturalization unless you already changed your name legally (such as by marriage) before completing the naturalization process. If you decide to change your name, you will be required to complete a Petition for Name Change during your interview. Petitioning the court to change your name may delay the date of your oath ceremony, in some cases. If you petition to change your name, the new name will not be legally binding until after your oath ceremony. Your new name will appear on your Certificate of Naturalization. The USCIS does not process petitions for a name change after naturalization. However, you still may change your name after naturalization by other legal means.

13. 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).

14. 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.

15. What can I do if USCIS denies my application?
If you feel that USCIS has wrongly denied your naturalization application, 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). You must file the form with USCIS with the correct fee within 30 days after you receive a denial letter. If, after an appeal hearing with USCIS, you still believe you have been wrongly denied naturalization, you may file a petition for a new review of your application in U.S. District Court.

16. 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 tests.

17. 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 forReplacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document” (Form N-565) to USCIS. 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. You should apply for a passport as soon as you become a citizen.

18. How can I apply for a United States passport if I have lost my Naturalization Certificate and need to travel abroad?
You need to file the N-565 form, "Application for Replacement Naturalization Citizenship Document," with your local USCIS office to replace your lost certificate .

19. Do I need to get a new Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Card) when USCIS issues a new version of the card if I am applying for naturalization?
If you apply for naturalization six months or more before the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card, you do not have to apply for a new card. If you apply for naturalization within six months of the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card, or don’t apply for naturalization until your card has already expired, you must renew your card.

20. What if I cannot go to my interview?
If you must reschedule your interview, you should write to the office where your interview is scheduled as soon as possible. You should explain your situation and ask to have your interview rescheduled. When a new date has been set, USCIS will send you a new interview notice.

21. If USCIS grants me naturalization, when will I become a United States citizen?
You become a United States citizen after you take the Oath of Allegiance. In some places you may take the Oath the same day as your interview. If that is not possible or if you want to have a ceremony on a different day, USCIS will inform you of the ceremony date with an N-445 form, "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony."

22. What is the Selective Service and how do I register?
Selective Service registration helps the United States Government keep track of men who may be called into military service in case of a national emergency to join the United States Armed Forces. By registering the names of all young men, the Selective Service can make a fair and equitable draft when necessary. It is required by Federal Law that all men who are between 18 and 25 to register with Selective Service. This also includes non-citizens who permanently reside in the United States, men who withhold "green cards" as well as those who are living in the United States without immigration documents must register. However, men who are over 26 cannot register.

23. What happens if I do not register with the Selective Services?
If you do not register with the Selective Service, you may become ineligible for certain immigration benefits, i.e. citizenship.