Steps to Becoming a U.S. Citizen in Elgin

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a lengthy but rewarding process if you want to enjoy the benefits of living in the United States. You gain the right to travel freely, work, and vote. U.S. citizenship is not complicated to obtain, but it requires attention to detail and sometimes help from an attorney.

You do not need a lawyer present when you take the Oath of Allegiance, but having one review your documents and answer questions throughout the process helps you. Each part of the steps to becoming a U.S. citizen in Elgin involves paperwork, and our experienced citizenship and naturalization attorneys at Godoy Law Office could help you avoid any mistakes.

What Requirements Must You Meet To Become a U.S. Citizen?

An individual who was not born in the United States must meet age and residency requirements to pursue the process for obtaining American citizenship in Elgin. If an individual was born in the United States, he or she is automatically a U.S. citizen and only needs proof of birth to establish their citizenship. If the person was not born in the United States, he or she must meet these basic requirements:

• Has reached 18 years of age
• Has been a legal permanent resident for at least five years
• Has maintained physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months (2-3 years) in the past five years
• Has lived in the state where he or she applies for citizenship for at least three months

An individual must also be of good moral character. Generally, this means that he or she has avoided fraud, theft, or similar crimes.

After meeting these requirements, he or she may submit the application. As part of the process, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may require fingerprints and other data at one of its offices. The agency then conducts a background check before scheduling the interview and citizenship test.

Need help applying for citizenship? Contact us today for an immigration review.

What Does the Citizenship Test Involve?

The interview and naturalization test assess an individual’s knowledge of U.S. history, the Constitution, and American society as part of the procedure to achieve American citizenship in Elgin. To pass the civics portion, he or she must answer at least 12 out of 20 questions correctly. The test is complex, but the individual has time to study between submitting the application and attending the interview.  Copies of the test and answers are available on the USCIS website and other online resources.

The individual may also have to write simple sentences in English to demonstrate basic language comprehension. During the interview, he or she has an opportunity to clarify information in the application, correct errors, and provide updates that have occurred since filing.

USCIS may notify the individual of its decision immediately after the interview, or he or she may receive a notice at a later date. In some cases, the agency requests additional information before making a final decision on the application.

Contact Us in Elgin for Guidance on the American Citizenship Process

At Godoy Law Office Immigration Lawyers, we may help you complete your application and assemble all necessary information before you submit documents to USCIS as you consider the steps to becoming a U.S. citizen in Elgin. We focus on helping to ensure your application has the strongest possible chance of approval.

If you have any questions about the process and need assistance, our offices are available to you. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your citizenship application.