How do I attain US Citizenship?

A person may become a U.S. citizen by birth or after birth. A person born in the United States and persons born in certain territories or outlying possessions of the United States are citizens at birth. Persons born outside the United States may be citizens at birth if their parent(s) were citizens at the time of their birth and if other requirements have been met.

An individual may become a U.S. citizen after birth either through his/her parents or by applying for naturalization on their own. Becoming a citizen through one's parent(s) is known as aquiring or deriving citizenship. Any person claiming to have acquired (at birth) or derived (after birth) U.S. Citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent has to file Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship. The Certificate of Citizenship is the proof of the person's citizenship status. The person may also use his/her US passport as proof of his/her citizenship status.

Naturalization is the process by which lawful permanent residents ("Green Card" holders) who are age 18 or older and who meet all the eligibility requirements get citizenship by submitting a Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The eligibility requirements include the continuous residence requirement, the physical presence requirement, good moral character, adequate knowledge of English and US History and civics knowledge and allegiance to the US constitution.

Current regulations allow an applicant meeting all the eligibility requirements to file Form N-400 90 days prior to meeting the continuous residence requirement. The completed N-400 has to be mailed to the USCIS along the fees, photos and supporting documents. Once the USCIS takes up the application for processing, they will send the applicant a letter informing where he/she has to go for his/her biometric appointment. The USCIS will forward the fingerprints to the FBI who in turn will do a background check of the applicant. On clearance, USCIS once again will send information regarding the date and time for the citizenship interview. During the interview, the applicant's knowledge of English and US history and civics will be tested. If the applicant passes the Citizenship test, he/she will have to take the Oath after which he/she becomes a naturalized citizen of the U.S.


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