Do you live in the United States and want to become a US citizen? Are you confused on how to become a US citizen? Then this article is for you.
After reading this article, you will understand the application process, know what to expect, and know where to sign up for and prepare for your citizenship test.
Overview
The process of becoming a USA citizen is called “naturalization”. There are three basic steps to becoming a “naturalized” citizen. First, you must complete the application process. Second, you must take (and pass) the citizenship test. The final step is when you appear before a judge and take the oath of allegiance.
That doesn’t sound too confusing, does it? But what do you do to prepare for each of the three steps? We arranged this article in three sections. Each section addresses one step. Ready to get started?
The Application Process
There are a couple of steps to completing an application. You must fill out an application, be fingerprinted and photographed, and appear for an interview with a USCIS Officer.
People who are 18 years and older complete and submit the “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400) to become naturalized.
There are two ways you can get an application. You can call the United States Citizen and Immigration Services forms line at 1-800-870-3676 and they will send you an application. You can also download an application from website http://uscis.gov.
To complete your application you will have to get your picture taken. Your photographs must meet specific guidelines. And, you have to include two photographs with your application. Be sure to follow the guidelines. You can find the guidelines at http://uscis.gov.
To complete your application you will also have to provide a number of documents. Use copies of your documents when you submit your application UNLESS originals are required. Be sure to fill out your application completely and be sure to keep a copy of your finished application because you will need it as well as other documents for your interview.
There are two fees you must pay when you file an application for naturalization. There is an application fee and a fingerprinting fee. Both need to be paid when you send in your application. The fee can be paid using a personal check, a cashier’s check, or a money order. However, all have to be drawn from a US Bank and by in US Dollars. Make your checks payable to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
If you have questions about your application, you can always call the Service Center where you sent your application. Phone numbers for each state Service Center can be found at http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/statemap.htm. You can also call the National Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 375-5283
After you have completed your “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400), you must send it to the USCIS Service Center in the state where you are living. A list of Local USCIS offices can be found at http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/statemap.htm.
Once your application has been received, the USCIS will contact you and tell you where you should get fingerprinted.
After you have been fingerprinted, the USCIS office will contact you again by mail. They will send you an interview notice in the mail that will tell you when and where you need to go for your interview.
When you arrive at your interview, an USCIS representative, called a “USCIS officer”, will take some time to explain the purpose of the interview to you, ask to see your identification and ask you to swear an oath.
According to United States law, you must be able to demonstrate two things during your interview. Your USCIS officer will be testing your understanding of both.
First you must demonstrate “an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak…simple words and phrases…in ordinary usage in the English language….. Second, you must be able to demonstrate “a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States….”
When the officer tests your understanding of US government, this is called the citizenship test. This test is sometimes called a “civics test”. For the citizenship test, the officer may choose to just ask you the questions verbally or may ask you to take a written test.
The Citizenship Test
To pass the test, we suggest that you study five topics: United States history, the United States Constitution, federal government, state government,and local and county government. Below are lists of questions that, according to “The Citizen Handbook” by Barbara Goldin, you might have to answer for your test.
For help with answering these questions and for preparing for your citizenship test, you can contact a Community Based Organization (CBO). These organizations can be found in almost every community. They will assist you in preparing for your citizenship and English proficiency tests. To locate one in your area, contact your local USCIS office.
Questions about US History you should be able to answer before you take your US citizenship test:
1. Who discovered America?
2. What is the capital of your state?
3. What were the original thirteen colonies?
4. How did the colonies become independent?
5. What was the revolutionary war?
6. How did the new country become organized?
7. What is the Monroe doctrine?
8. What was the Civil War?
Questions about the US Constitution you should be able to answer before you take your US citizenship test:
1. What are the Articles of Confederation?
2. What is the Constitution of the United States
3. How is the Constitution organized?
4. What is the Bill of Rights?
5. How can the Constitution be amended?
Questions about the Federal Government you should be able to answer before you take your US citizenship test:
1. What is the capital of the United States?
2. What form of government does the United States have?
3. What are the three branches of the federal government?
4. How is Congress organized?
5. How are Senators and Representatives elected?
6. How does Congress work?
7. Who are the officers in Congress?
8. Who can be President?
9. How are the Vice-President and President elected?
10. What is the Electoral College?
11. How does the Electoral College work?
12. Who can vote?
13. Who have been the past Presidents of the United States?
14. What does a Chief Executive do?
15. When does the President take office?
16. What is the President’s Cabinet?
17. What are the duties of the Vice-president?
18. What is the Supreme Court?
19. What is the Federal Court system?
20. Who are the Supreme Court judges?
21. Who pays for the Government?
22. How are laws made?
Questions about state government you should be able to answer before you take your US Citizenship test:
1. What is state government?
2. How does the Executive branch of state government work?
3. How does the legislative branch of state government work?
4. How does the state judicial system work?
5. When did your state enter the Union?
Questions about local government you should be able to answer before you take your US Citizenship test:
1. What is local government?
2. What is county government?
3. How is local government organized?
After you have completed your interview, including your English proficiency and civics test, you must attend a ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. The USCIS will send you a notice in the mail of where and when to show up for your ceremony. The notice USCIS sends you is called the “Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony”.
The Naturalization Ceremony
Before the ceremony, if you hold a permanent resident card, you must return it. You will be asked for it when you arrive at the ceremony.
You become a citizen as soon as you take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. Below is the oath that you will be asked to repeat during the ceremony:
The Oath of Allegiance
I hereby declare, on oath,
that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all
allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince,
potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I
have heretofore been a subject or citizen;
that I will support and defend the Constitution and
laws of the United States of America against all
enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States
when required by the law;
that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law;
that I will perform work of national importance under
civilian direction when required by the law; and
that I take this obligation freely, without any
mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
Congratulations! After swearing this oath you are a US citizen! Afterward, you will receive your Certificate of Naturalization. This is your proof that you are a US citizen. You may want to use it to apply for a US passport. It could take up to a year for you to receive your certificate so if you have questions be sure to call the USCIS Service Center where you mailed your application or you call the National Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 375-5283.
We have only provided a brief overview of the entire naturalization process. There is a much more detailed, step-by-step outline on how to become a citizen. It is called the “Guide to US Naturalization” and is published by the USCIS.
Now that you have a general understanding of what you will need to do to become a citizen, we suggest that you contact the USCIS and ask for this publication. To order, call the National Customer Service Center for the USCIS at 1 (800) 375-5283.
