NATURALIZATION & CITIZENSHIP

In order to qualify to begin the naturalization process, you must meet certain basic eligibility standards.

These requirements include the following:

• Unless you are a minor who has been adopted by a parent who is a United States citizen, you must be at least 18 years old.

• You must have an upright moral character and an attachment to the principles contained in the United States Constitution.

• You must be able to speak, write, and read English.

• You must have a familiarity with the history of the United States and its government.

There are also residency requirements:

• You must have been a law-abiding resident of the United States for at least 5 years. This may be broken if you decide to travel and stay out of the U.S. for over a year. Even a 6-month absence may be noticed.

• Out of the 5 years, you must be physically present in the U.S. for 30 months prior to the date of filing the application

• You must have resided in the State you are filing in for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing your application.

Naturalization

A lawful permanent resident who 

•     Is at least 18 year of age,

•     is a person of good moral character,

•     is in good command of English language

•     has adequate knowledge and understanding of American history and the system of government

•     has  resided continuously as a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. for at least 5 year prior to filing during which (s) has not stayed overseas for any period longer than 6 months and has been physically present in the U.S. for 50% of that time. A resident who obtained the resident status through the marriage to a U.S. citizen must have been in that status for at least 3 years with the physical presence of at least 18 months.

Also, the 5 year residence provision will not apply if the applicant has served the U.S. Armed Forces for at least three years or if (s)he has served the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I, World War II, Korea War, Vietnam War or Persian Gulf War. The same privilege is accorded to widow(er)s of U.S. citizen who died during a period of honorable active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces. 
 
Also qualified will be 

• Applicant who has served on a U.S. vessel and have been a permanent resident for the past five years

• Applicant who has worked under contract with the U.S. Government and have been a U.S. permanent resident for the past five years

• Are a person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the U.S., and have been a U.S. permanent resident for the past five years

You are a spouse of a U.S. citizen who is one of the following: 

• A member of the U.S. Armed Forces

• An employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. Government An employee of an American institution of research recognized by the Attorney General

• An employee of a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty

• An employee of an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States 

• A person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States

Oath of Allegiance

Most applicants for citizenship must take a test as part of obtaining U.S. citizenship. The naturalization test measures your ability to speak English and your knowledge of U.S. history and government. You may be exempt from taking one or both parts of the test for a number of reasons, including:

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• You are age 50 or older and have lived in the U.S. as a permanent resident for 20 years

• You are age 55 or older and have lived in the U.S. as a permanent resident for 15 years

• You suffer from physical disability, mental impairment, or medical disability

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As part of applying for naturalization, you must take an oath of allegiance in a public ceremony. Modifications may be made to this step as others during the application for citizenship. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for an exemption or waiver that may make the citizenship process easier.