Naturalization is a process through which immigrants become citizens of the United States. Generally, applicants who are at least 18 years old and have been residing in the United States as permanent residents for the past 5 years (3 years if the applicant is currently married and living with a U.S. citizen) without leaving the United States for a trip of 6 months or longer, satisfy the requirements for continuous residence and physical presence. Applicants must also meet other requirements for naturalization, including being a person of “good moral character” for the requisite 5 or 3 years, possessing an elementary level of reading, writing, and understanding of the English language, and knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history and government of the United States.
Contact Law Offices of Paul Marinov if you have reached the final step of your immigration journey and are considering pursuing United States citizenship through naturalization.
We help clients confirm eligibility, prepare and file Form N-400, address any good moral character concerns before they become a problem, and prepare for the naturalization interview and civics/English test.
Generally, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, have held a green card for at least 5 years (3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen), meet continuous residence and physical presence requirements, and demonstrate good moral character, along with basic English and civics knowledge.
Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, is the core filing that starts the citizenship process. It requires detailed background information, travel history, and supporting documentation, followed by biometrics, an interview, and the English/civics test.
Processing times vary by USCIS field office and case complexity, and can range from several months to over a year.
Based on our extensive immigration law experience, we offer all of our immigration services on a flat fee basis. Please contact our office to learn how much we charge for a specific service.
An officer reviews your application, verifies your background and residency history, and administers the English and civics test. Many applicants are approved the same day, though some cases require follow-up.
It can. Certain convictions can permanently bar naturalization or create a rebuttable presumption against good moral character during the statutory look-back period. The impact depends heavily on the specific offense, so it’s worth having your record reviewed before applying.
Most male applicants who lived in the U.S. between ages 18 and 26 were required to register. Failing to do so can create a good moral character issue, even if it was unintentional — this is worth addressing before you file.
This is treated seriously — falsely claiming citizenship or voting in a U.S. election without being eligible can be a significant, sometimes permanent, bar to naturalization. If this applies to you, it’s important to speak with an attorney before filing.
Yes. Trips of six months or longer can disrupt continuous residence, and trips of a year or more generally reset the required residency period. Your travel history should be reviewed carefully before applying.
Some applicants qualify for exemptions based on age and years as a permanent resident (the 50/20, 55/15, and 65/20 rules), and a medical disability waiver (Form N-648) is available in certain cases.
You’ll be scheduled for an oath ceremony, where you take the Oath of Allegiance and officially become a U.S. citizen.
In some cases, yes — under the Child Citizenship Act, certain children under 18 who are permanent residents may automatically acquire citizenship when a parent naturalizes. Eligibility depends on the child’s age, residency, and custody situation.
