Naturalization & Citizenship Lawyers in Oakland

Providing Effective & Personalized Legal Guidance

The final step in the process of immigrating to the United States is to become a U.S. citizen.

Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship Through Naturalization

In order to apply for U.S. citizenship, you will need to have lived in the U.S. with a valid Green Card for at least five years (with some exceptions for asylees, for people married to U.S. citizens, and for people who have spent time outside of the United States). You must also complete the eight basic requirements listed below.

To apply for citizenship, you need to:

• Be a lawful permanent resident.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have “good moral character.”
• Be able to pass an English exam (with some exceptions).
• Be able to pass an exam on U.S. history and government.
• Have lived in the U.S. for the majority of the past five years.
• Have not traveled outside the U.S. for extended periods of time.
• Be willing to swear loyalty to the United States.

Important Considerations for Citizenship Applicants

It can be risky to apply for citizenship because your immigration situation will be scrutinized by the government. If you have certain problems, not only can your application be denied, but the government could actually try to take away your Green Card and put you in removal proceedings to deport you out of the country. Definitely contact an experienced immigration attorney in Oakland before submitting your application!

Your Path to U.S. Citizenship: From Eligibility to Oath

The naturalization process can be difficult and intimidating for those wishing to become citizens of the United States. In order to ensure that you fulfill all qualifying requirements and submit the required paperwork, our team of knowledgeable immigration attorneys at Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C.. are available to help you at every stage of the naturalization process.

Key elements of the naturalization process involve the following:

• Evaluating eligibility according to residence requirements.
• Completing the N-400 application form.
• Preparing for the citizenship interview and test.
• Understanding and taking the Oath of Allegiance.
• Receiving the Certificate of Naturalization.

Our team is dedicated to delivering specialized legal advice to help you achieve your goal of becoming a US citizen. Reach out to us to find out more about the naturalization process and you could benefit from our help.