Determine if you are already a U.S. citizen.

You can become a U.S. citizen by birth or through naturalization. Generally, people are born U.S. citizens if they are born in the United States or if they are born abroad to U.S. citizens. You may also derive U.S. citizenship as a minor following the naturalization of one or both parents.

• Were you born in the United States or a territory of the United States?  If yes, you may already be a U.S. citizen.
• Is at least one of your parents a U.S. citizen?  If you have a U.S. citizen parent who is a U.S. citizen by either birth or naturalization you may already be a citizen.

WHAT TO DO:

If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth, or did not acquire or derive U.S. citizenship from your parent(s) automatically after birth, go to the next step

Determine your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen.

In general, you may qualify for naturalization if you are at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen) and meet all other eligibility requirements.

WHAT TO DO:

Visit our Naturalization Home at http://geygan.net/immigration/naturalization-home/ for information on the naturalization test and available study materials.

Prepare Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

When you meet all requirements to become a U.S. citizen, contact our office to complete Form N-400 to apply for naturalization. If you would like to do this yourself download Form N-400 at www.uscis.gov/n-400 or call the USCIS Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676 to request a copy.

WHAT TO DO:

• Contact our office
• Come in and sign your Form N-400.
• Get 2 passport-style photos taken.
• Collect the necessary documents to demonstrate your eligibility for naturalization.
• Review your Form N-400 and supporting documents.

Submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

We will send in your application, photographs, documents, and fees to USCIS.
Once we submit Form N-400, it will be about 2 weeks before we get your receipt notices.  You can check current processing times and the status of your application by visiting www.uscis. gov or by calling Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (hearing impaired) or our online system.

Go to the biometrics appointment, if applicable.

USCIS requires applicants to be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal background checks. All applicants must have background checks completed before USCIS will schedule an interview. If you are 75 years old or older at the time of filing, you are exempted from the fingerprint requirements, but are subject to all other background checks.

WHAT TO DO:

• Receive an appointment notice that will include your biometrics appointment date, time, and location.
• Arrive at the designated location at the scheduled time.
• Have biometrics taken.
• At a later date, you will receive an appointment notice for your naturalization interview.

Complete the interview.

Once all the preliminary processes on your case are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview with you to complete the naturalization process. You must report to the USCIS office at the date and time on your appointment notice. Please bring the appointment notice with you.
It is very important not to miss your interview. If you have to miss your interview, you should write to the office where your interview is to be conducted as soon as possible and ask to have your interview rescheduled. Rescheduling an interview may add several months to the naturalization process, so make all attempts to attend your original interview date.

Receive a decision from USCIS on your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

You will be issued a written notice of decision.

• Granted—USCIS may approve your Form N-400 if the evidence on record establishes your eligibility for naturalization.
• Denied—USCIS will deny your Form N-400 if the evidence on record establishes you are not eligible for naturalization.

Receive a notice to take the Oath of Allegiance.

 WHAT TO EXPECT:

You may be able to participate in the oath ceremony on the same day as your interview. If a same day oath ceremony is unavailable, USCIS will mail you a notification with the date, time, and location of your scheduled oath ceremony.

If you cannot attend the oath ceremony on the day USCIS scheduled you, return the USCIS notice Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, to your local USCIS office. Include a letter explaining why you cannot attend the oath ceremony. Ask USCIS to reschedule you

Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. The oath is administered by USCIS at an administrative ceremony or by a judge in a judicial ceremony. A court has exclusive authority to conduct the ceremonies in certain USCIS districts. You receive your Certificate of Naturalization after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

Understanding U.S. citizenship.

Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans. Below is a list of some of the
most important rights and responsibilities that all citizens—both Americans by birth and by choice— should exercise, honor, and respect. While some of these responsibilities are legally required of every citizen, all are important to ensure the continued vitality of our country and democracy.

Rights

• Freedom to express yourself.
• Freedom to worship as you wish.
• Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.
• Right to vote in elections for public officials.
• Right to apply for federal employment requiring
U.S. citizenship.
• Right to run for elected office.
• Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.”

Responsibilities

• Support and defend the U.S. Constitution.
• Stay informed of the issues affecting your
community.
• Participate in the democratic process.
• Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
• Participate in your local community.
• Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time,
to federal, state, and local authorities.
• Serve on a jury when called upon.
• Defend the country if the need should arise.