What Should I Expect from the Naturalization Process? Preparing to Apply • Read a Guide to Naturalization
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What Should I Expect From the Naturalization Process? Preparing to Apply • Read A Guide to Naturalization. • Complete the Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet. • Get an “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400). • Visit our website at www.uscis.gov. Completing Your Application • Complete your application. • Collect the necessary documents. • Send your application, documents, and fee (DO NOT SEND CASH) to the appropriate Lockbox Facility or Service Center. • Keep a copy of everything you send to USCIS. Getting Biometrics Taken • Receive an appointment letter from USCIS. • Go to the biometrics location. • Get your biometrics taken. • Mail additional documents if USCIS requests them. • Wait for USCIS to schedule your interview. Being Interviewed • Receive an appointment for your interview. • Go to your local USCIS office at the specified time. 5 • Bring state-issued identification, Permanent Resident Card, and any additional documents specific to your case. • Answer questions about your application and background. • Take the English and civics tests. • Receive case status. Taking the Oath • Receive a ceremony date. • Check in at the ceremony. • Return your Permanent Resident Card. • Answer questions about what you have done since your interview. • Take the Oath of Allegiance. • Receive your Certificate of Naturalization. 31 Preparing to Apply 1. Read A Guide to 2. Complete the 3. Get an “Application Naturalization Naturalization for Naturalization” Eligibility Worksheet (Form N-400) Reading A Guide to Naturalization is the first step in Complete the Eligibility Once you have completed the the naturalization process. We Worksheet in the back of eligibility worksheet and believe realize that some naturalization this Guide to decide if you that you are eligible for requirements may be difficult to are eligible to apply for naturalization, you should obtain understand. If you read this naturalization. If you do not meet an application. The application Guide before beginning the all the requirements, you may is called the “Application for naturalization process, many of save both time and money by Naturalization” (Form N-400). your questions will be answered. waiting until you are eligible to You may obtain Form N-400 by apply. calling the USCIS Forms Line We hope that the information in (1-800-870-3676) or by this Guide will help you prepare If you complete the Eligibility downloading it from the Internet your application. If you are well Worksheet and have questions at www.uscis.gov. prepared, and send us the about your eligibility, you should necessary information and seek advice by: documents, we can process your application more quickly. It is • Calling Customer Service at your responsibility to begin 1-800-375-5283; the naturalization process fully informed and ready to provide • Reviewing the information on the necessary information and the USCIS website at documents. www.uscis.gov; • Going to a USCIS information counter; • Contacting a community immigrant assistance organization; or • Talking to an immigration attorney. USCIS has developed educational materials, such as Civics Flash Cards and Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons, to help you prepare for the naturalization interview. You can find these resources and other study materials for the naturalization test at www.uscis.gov. 32 Completing Your Application 1. Complete your the processing of your application glossy finish, and be unmounted application may be delayed. In most cases, and unretouched. Passport- style you should send a copy of a photos must be 2” x 2”. The Once you have Form N-400, document, but you should be photos must be in color with full you must fill it out completely. prepared to bring the originals face, frontal view on a white to USCIS may ask for additional with you to your interview. We off-white background. Head information if your application is may also ask you to send other height should measure 1” to 1 incomplete. This will delay the documents to us before your 3/8” from top of hair to bottom of processing of your naturalization interview, or to bring additional chin, and eye height is between application. documents with you to your 1 1/8” to 1 3/8” from bottom of interview. photo. Your head must be bare, You will be required to answer unless contrary to your religious questions about your application Be sure to send an English beliefs. at your interview. When translation with any document completing your application, you that is not already in English. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly should answer all questions The translation must include a print your name and A-Number honestly. Be sure to keep a copy statement from the translator that (if any) on the back of the photo. of your completed application for he or she is competent to translate your records. and that the translation is correct. Fingerprints: If you reside outside the United States, 2. Collect the If you do not have a required visit www.uscis.gov/forms/ necessary documents document and cannot get a fingerprints for more certified copy of the original, information. Applicants who are lawful submit a certification from the permanent residents of the United original recording authority States must submit photocopies explaining why it cannot be (front and back) of Form I-551 provided. In that case we will (Permanent Resident Card). consider other evidence such as Depending on the circumstances, notarized affidavits. The Document Checklist will some applicants must send tell you when you need to send certain documents with their Photographs: Only applicants original documents and when application. For more information who reside outside the United you may send copies. Remember on the documents you must States must provide two identical to make and keep copies of all send with your application, see color photographs taken recently. documents you send to USCIS. the Document Checklist located at the back of this Guide. If The photos must have a white you do not send the necessary to off-white background, be documents with your application, printed on thin paper with a A Guide to Naturalization 33 3. Send your application, If you reside in Alabama, What if I live outside the documents, and fee to the Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, United States? If you are outside USCIS Lockbox Facility District of Columbia, Florida, the United States and filing Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Form N-400, you should send Send your application directly to Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, your application to the USCIS the USCIS Lockbox that serves Mississippi, New Hampshire, Lockbox Facility that serves the your area. If you try to take or New Jersey, New Mexico, New USCIS office where you want to mail your application to a local York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, be interviewed. USCIS office, it will be returned Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode to you. Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, What if I am currently serving Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West in active duty status in the The current fee you must send Virginia, or U.S. Virgin Islands, military? If you are applying for with your application is on the send your application to: naturalization based on qualifying one-page insert titled “Current military service, and are currently Naturalization Fees” in the back USCIS Lockbox Facility serving in an active duty status, of this Guide. Military applicants USCIS you may go to your service’s filing for citizenship under P.O. Box 660060 personnel office for information Sections 328 and 329 of the INA Dallas, TX 75266 on how to prepare your do not require a fee. application. You should speak to Private Courier (non-USPS) your personnel office even if you If you reside in Alaska, Arizona, Deliveries: are stationed outstide the United California, Colorado, Hawaii, USCIS States. For more information, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Attention: N-400 see “Naturalization Information Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, 2501 S. State Hwy 121 Business for Military Personnel” (Form Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Suite 400 M-599). Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Lewisville, TX 75067 Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Territory of Guam, or Military Members and Northern Mariana Islands, send Spouses:If you are a veteran or your application to: an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces and are eligible USCIS Lockbox Facility to apply for naturalization under USCIS Section 328 or 329 of the INA, P.O. Box 21251 or are the spouse of a current Phoenix, AZ 85036 member of the U.S. Armed Forces, send your application to: Private Courier (non-USPS) Deliveries: USCIS Service Center USCIS Nebraska Service Center Attention: N-400 P.O. Box 87426 1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S. Lincoln, NE 68501-7426 Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 85034 Private Courier (non-USPS) Deliveries: Nebraska Service Center 850 S Street Lincoln, NE 68508 34 Getting Biometrics Taken 1. Receive an appointment 3. Get your biometrics have lived in the past 5 years. letter from USCIS taken You will need to contact the police departments in the places Once you have filed your USCIS may require that you have lived to get these application, USCIS will you appear for an interview clearances. send you a letter telling you or provide fingerprints, where and when to have your photograph, and/or signature at 4. Mail additional biometrics taken. any time to verify your identity, documents if USCIS obtain additional information, requests them In most cases, the letter will tell and conduct background and you to go to an Application security checks, including a While the FBI is checking Support Center (ASC). A van check of criminal history records your background, USCIS will may be available in certain maintained by the Federal locate your immigration file. areas of Alaska and Hawaii to Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Sometimes USCIS may need fingerprint applicants who are before making a decision on additional documents from you located far from the nearest your application.