Citizenship

Becoming a U.S. citizen is typically done through a process called Naturalization by filing a Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. If you are a permanent resident, you become eligible to apply for citizenship either three or five years after receiving your permanent residence. 

If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and you are married to a U.S. citizen, you can file your application three years after receiving your status, provided that you have been married to and continuously residing with your U.S. citizen spouse for the three years preceding your application. You can file this application 90 early. 

If you are a permanent resident but are not married to a U.S. citizen, you become eligible for citizenship after you have been in permanent resident status for five years. You can also file the application 90 days early. 

Things that complicate your case or potentially make you ineligible for citizenship include, but are not limited to, criminal activity, extended absences, and misrepresentations made during your permanent residence application process. An experienced attorney help you determine if applying for citizenship is right for you and help you through the process from filing the application to attending the interview and following up with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services after the interview.