CITIZENSHIP

N-400: CITIZENSHIP FREE CONSULTATION

Here at Alcock and Associates we have the experience and knowledge necessary to help and represent you in your naturalization process. At our law firm we have a team of very dedicated, responsible, and caring attorneys who are here to help you and fight for you.

The immigration process is quite complicated and can even be lengthy, so having the right person by your side can make all the difference in your case. Over the years here at Alcock and Associates, we have had the pleasure and honor of being able to achieve hundreds of positive results from our various immigration cases.

We also offer free consultations as well as reasonable payment plans. Our office has represented many people in their nationalization. We also want to help you in your process. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

One thing that is very important for you to know before hiring our services are the laws and options related to your case.

REQUIREMENTS FOR NATURALIZATION

For someone to qualify for the naturalization process, they must have been a permanent resident for at least five years before being eligible. The only exception to this would be if the individual received their permanent residency through a marriage to a U.S. citizen.

If the person in question received their permanent residence through spousal marriage, has been with the same spouse for 3 years, then they can apply for citizenship.

In the naturalization process, the client must also submit any copies of a criminal record. The applicant must also prove that he or she has been a person of good moral character for the past 5 years.

In other words, this means that an individual must wait 5 years from their last criminal order case to apply for naturalization.

The entire process can take six months, but to become a U.S. citizen, the applicant must meet the following requirements.

1. Be 18 years of age or older
2. If lawful permanent residence was obtained by marriage, the green card holder can apply for it after 3 years as long as their spouse has been a U.S. citizen for more than three years, AND the applicant must be married to the U.S. citizen for more than three years.
3. Have lived within the USCIS state or district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence for at least 3 months prior to filing the naturalization application.
4. Have continuous residence in the U.S. As a green card holder for at least five years immediately prior to filing the naturalization application.
5. Reside continuously within the U.S. From the date of application for naturalization to the time of naturalization
6. Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government Exceptions: 20 years of LPR and be over 50 years of age, or 15 years of LPR and be over 55 years of age.
7. You have not committed the following offenses within the five years immediately preceding the date of submission (this list is not all-inclusive):
   1. Serious crimes
   2. Conviction of one or more crimes of moral depravity
   3. Conviction of two or more crimes with a combined sentence of at least five years.
   4. Controlled substance violation, except 30 grams or less of marijuana
   5. Be incarcerated for 180 days or more
   6. Prostitution offences

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

First, you will need to complete the N-400 form. This form is the application used to apply for citizenship. The form costs $640.00. However, the biometric exam is always included in the filing fee, totaling $725.00.

The following are some of the documents to submit with form N-400:

• Passport-style photos
• Copy of marriage certificate (if applicable on the basis of marriage)
• Copy of divorce decrees or death certificates from the previous marriage (if applicable)
• Copy of the front and back of the residence
• Certified court documents (if you are arrested or charged with a crime, or a crime has been eliminated)
• Evidence of registration with the Selective Service (if you are a man who lived in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 26)

After about one month after applying, the applicant will receive an appointment letter from USCIS. On the date and time indicated in the letter, the individual must go to the indicated place and take their fingerprints.

Approximately two months after completing the biometrics, the applicant will receive a letter with the appointment for the interview. At the specified time, go to the local office to answer questions about the application, take the English and civics test, and receive a decision.

There are certain exceptions to the requirement to read, write, and speak in English. The applicant must be at least 50 years of age and be an LPR for at least 20 years, at least 50 years of age and be an LPR for at least 15 years, at least 65 years of age and be an LPR for at least 20 years. If the applicant is over the age of 65 and has been an LPR for 20 years or more, they will be given a short version of the history and government tests that have twenty questions. These people do not have to take the English language test, but the civics test in the language of their choice.

Here’s what you’ll need to bring to the interview:

• Green card
• Valid state-issued ID
• Passports and travel documents.
• Birth certificates of children (if children are indicated on the application)
• Tax Returns
• Certified court documents (if there is a criminal record)

Now the only step left is to take the oath! If approved, the final step is to take an oath of allegiance. USCIS will notify the applicant by mail of the time and date of the ceremony. When the date arrives, the person must arrive at least 30 minutes early to register and turn in their green card. If more than one day has passed since the interview, several questions may be asked of the applicant. Once the ceremony is completed and the oath has been recited, the applicant is now a citizen. The certificate of naturalization will be issued and used as proof of citizenship.

Here are some of the questions one should ask to determine if they are eligible for the naturalization process.

1. How did you enter the United States?
2. How long have you lived in the United States?
3. Have you ever left the United States? If so, when and for how long?
4. Have you ever been deported?
5. Have you ever signed a voluntary departure?
6. Have you ever been denied entry to the United States?
7. Have you ever used fraudulent documents to gain entry into the United States?
8. Have you ever told someone you were a U.S. citizen?
9. Have you ever been arrested for any crime?
10. Have you ever been convicted of committing any crime?

We hope this information will help you better understand your case. Thank you

If you have any questions about how the naturalization process works or would like to schedule a free consultation, please feel free to call us at 703-789-3333 or come to our office in Manassas, VA.