Huntsville U.S. Citizenship

Citizenship is a legal status that entails specific rights, duties, and benefits in the United States. You can become a citizen of the United States by birth, through naturalization, or by derived citizenship. 

• By birth: If you were born in the U.S. or its territories, or if at least one of your parents is a U.S. citizen, you are a citizen.
• By naturalization: This happens when you go through the process by which a non-U.S citizen voluntarily becomes an American citizen.
• By derived citizenship: If one or both of your parents are naturalized before you turn 18 or after a U.S. citizen adopts you. 

Obtaining U.S. citizenship by birth or having derived citizenship is easy, as it comes naturally. 

On the other hand, naturalization is different and complex. Not every immigrant can apply for naturalization. Suppose you are a non-U.S. citizen seeking to be naturalized. In that case, there are several requirements that you need to meet, such as:

• Having a valid green card or United States permanent residence;
• Residing in the United States for a least five years;
• Living in the United States for at least four years (asylum cases);
• Marrying a U.S. citizen and living in the country as a lawful permanent resident for at least three years; or
• Serving in the United States military and living in the country for at least three years as a permanent resident.

The U.S. citizenship application process can be overwhelming and complex. To ensure you get the process right and understand every step, consider working with a trusted Huntsville citizenship attorney. Not only can you avoid any mistakes that could derail your application, but they can also help speed up the process of obtaining your much-awaited U.S. citizenship.

Below are the steps from USCIS you can follow to become a citizen.

Determine your eligibility

Review all the requirements for a U.S. citizenship immigration case and determine if you are eligible. You can use the naturalization eligibility tool at USCIS to help you. 

If you ticked all the boxes, you could apply for citizenship. However, if you are not qualified and are missing a few requirements, you may need to take additional steps. You can consult a reliable Huntsville citizenship immigration lawyer for legal advice, check your eligibility, and give you options and suggestions on how to meet them. 

Prepare and submit your U.S. citizenship paperwork. 

After establishing your eligibility, you can prepare all the documentation needed. Start with completing your Form N-400 to apply for naturalization. You also have the option to create an online account and file your N-400 online. Filing online allows you to receive status alerts, send messages, see all your correspondence, check your application status, update personal information, and upload evidence. 

The necessary documents you need to prepare include: 

• Completed and signed Form N-400
• Two passport-style photos (if you reside outside the United States)
• Documents to support your eligibility for naturalization

Before submitting your paperwork, check with a credible U.S. citizenship immigration lawyer if all your Form N-400 has been properly filled out and your support documents are complete. If USCIS requests additional information you missed to include in your filing, it can delay the processing of your application.

Go to your biometrics appointment.

Applicants must be fingerprinted and photographed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct a criminal background check. USCIS may also re-use previously taken fingerprints and photographs. You may either receive a notice of biometrics appointment or a notice that your biometrics have been re-used. 

Complete the interview

After completing your biometrics appointment, you will receive another appointment notice for your citizenship interview. You should report to the USCIS office at the scheduled date and time on your appointment notice. Do not forget to bring the appointment notice with you. 

It is crucial to not miss the interview. If there are justifiable unforeseen events and you have to reschedule, follow the instructions given on the appointment notice and contact the USCIS office to reschedule as soon as possible. Take note that rescheduling the interview can mean an additional delay to your application process. 

During the interview, an officer from USCIS will meet you and put you under oath. The office will ask multiple questions about your personal and family background, travel history, employment, and education history, residential history, intentions, why you want to become a U.S. citizen, etc. The interview appointment also includes the English and civics tests.

The interview questions can be scary and daunting, but all you need to do is be honest and transparent. You can also ask your well-seasoned Huntsville citizenship immigration lawyer to help you prepare the interview questions so you will panic and get intimidated. 

Receive the decision 

You will receive a written notice of decision from the USCIS. The decision can either be granted or denied. 

U.S. citizenship granted

USCIS may approve your application for U.S. citizenship or Form N-400 if the evidence you have provided establishes your eligibility for naturalization.

If you received approval of your Form N-400, you would be invited to attend an oath ceremony where you will declare your allegiance to the United States. In some circumstances, your oath ceremony may occur on the same day as your interview. 

U.S. citizenship denied

USCIS will deny your naturalization application or Form N-400 if the evidence gathered fails to establish your eligibility for naturalization.

The written notice will explain the reason why your Form N-400 was denied. If you think your application was incorrectly denied, you can request a hearing to appeal the USCIS decision by filing Form N-336. You should be able to file Form N-336 within 30 days after the decision date. Failure to file on time will render the denial decision final. 

Take the Oath of Allegiance

You are not yet considered a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States at a naturalization ceremony. The USCIS will administer the oath taken by a judge in a judicial or administrative ceremony. At the end of the oathtaking, you will finally receive your Certificate of Naturalization.