U.S. immigration law grants U.S. citizenship to individuals born in the U.S. and to those born outside of the U.S. who have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen. Generally, children, including adopted children, may also derive citizenship before age 18 if one parent is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization and the child resides in the U.S. as a Lawful Permanent Resident in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent, and all other eligibility requirements are met.
Naturalization is the process through which an individual acquires U.S. citizenship and may then obtain a U.S. passport and vote in U.S. political elections. To qualify, one must be a Lawful Permanent Resident aged 18 or older who has:
- Continuously resided in the U.S. for the past 5 years,
- Been physically present in the U.S. for 2.5 years,
- Resided for at least 3 months in the State where the Application is filed,
- Meets the Good Moral Character requirements for the past 5 years, and
- Meets all other eligibility requirements.
The requirements vary if one is married to a U.S. citizen, is a member of the Armed Forces, or in other special situations.
Our attorneys and staff will prepare and file your application for naturalization. We will provide guidance on your naturalization interview, during which you must demonstrate knowledge of the English language (with some exceptions), U.S. History, and U.S. government, often termed “civics.”