6 Easy Steps by Gema Sanchez

6 Easy Steps

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 STEP 1

Determine Eligibility

10 STEP 2

Prepare and Submit Nâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;400 Form

22 STEP 3

Go to Biometrics Appointment

24 STEP 4

Complete Interview

28 STEP 5

Receive a Decision

30 STEP 6

Take the Oath

STEP 1 Determine eligibility to become a U.S. citizen

General Eligibility Requirements 1

ou are at least 18 years of Y age at the time of filing (except active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces).

ou have been a permanent Y resident of the United States for a specified period of time.

ou have lived within the state Y or USCIS district where you claim residence for at least 3 months prior to filing.

4 You demonstrate physical presence within the United States for a specified period of time. 5

ou demonstrate a continuous Y residence for a specified period of time.

ou demonstrate a good Y moral character.

ou demonstrate an Y attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution.

8 You demonstrate a basic knowledge of the U.S. history and government (also known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;civicsâ&#x20AC;?) as well as an ability to read, write, speak, and understand basic English. 9 You take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States. Some applicants may be eligible for a modified oath.

Use this key and the following chart to determine your eligibility. Time as Permanent Resident H aving “Permanent Resident Status” in the United States provided under the U.S. immigration laws. Permanent Residents are given “Permanent Resident Cards” or “Green Cards”.

English and Civics Knowledge An understanding of the English language and the fundamentals of history. This includes the ability to read, write, and speak simple words and phrases, and the principles and form of government. There are 3 age exemptions: 1 I f you are over 50 years old and have been a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 20 years. You do not have to take the English test but you can take the civics test in the language of your choice.

Time in USCIS District or State 2 If you are over 55 years old and have been a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 15 years. You do not have to take the English test but can take the Civics test in the language of your choice.

U SCIS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

3 If you are over 65 years old and have been a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 20 years. You do not have to take the English test but can take the Civics test in the language of your choice. Certain questions will be selected for you to study.

A district is a geographical area defined by USCIS.

Most people must live in a USCIS district or state in which they are applying for at least 3 years.

Physical Presence in United States T he time that you have been physically present in the United States.

Students may apply either where they go to school or where their family lives.

Must be at least 18 years old.

Are at least 18 years and are an employee under contract to the U.S. Government.

Are at least 18 years old and have been employed for 5 years or more by a U.S. nonprofit organization.

Currently in the Armed forces and/or have served for at least a year.

At least 18 years old and were married to someone who died in the U.S. Armed Forces. Must be at least 18 years old and currently married and living with a U.S. citizen. Spouse must be a citizen for at least 3 years.

5 years as a permanent resident, without leaving the U.S. for 6 months or longer.

Must be a permanent resident by the date of the interview.

3 years as a permanent resident without leaving for 6 months or longer.

30 months

3 months

Required

18 months

Not required

Time as Permanent Resident

English and Civics Knowledge

Time in USCIS District or State

Physical Presence in United States

STEP 2 Prepare and Submit Nâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;400 Form Complete and sign N-400 form.

Submit the filing fee.

Collect all necessary documents to demonstrate your eligibility.

Completed Steps

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File your completed Nâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;400 Form

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Form N – 400 Form N – 400 has additional instructions and documentary requirements. Make sure to keep a copy of your completed form. You will be required to answer questions about your form at the interview. Include N – 648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, if applicable and seeking an exception to the English/Civics test.

Specific Instructions to

Complete and Sign Form Nâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;400 This form is divided into 17 parts

Part 1. Information About Your Eligibility. Check the box that applies to you. Check only one box. If you check more than one your form may be delayed.

Part 2. Information About You (Person applying for Naturalization) 1 Current legal name as it appears on your birth certificate, unless it has been changed after birth by a legal action such as marriage. 2 Your name exactly as it appears on your Permanent Resident Card. Write N/A if you do not have one. 3 Other names you have used since birth. Include nicknames, aliases, and maiden name if applicable.

4 Name Change (optional) When Naturalized a court can allow you to change your name. Check “Yes” and complete this section if you wish to change your name. 5

U.S. Social Security Number Provide your Social Security Number. Write N/A if you do not have one.

6 Date of Birth Use eight numbers to show your date of birth. Write the date in this order: Month/ Date/ Year example: May 1, 1958 as 05/01/1958. 7 Date you became a Permanent Resident Provide the official date as shown on your Permanent Resident Card. Write using eight numbers in this order Month/Date/Year. 8 Country of Birth Write the name of the country at the time of your birth even if it has changed.

9 Country of Citizenship or Nationality. Write the name of the country where you are currently a citizen or national. 10 Check “Yes” here if requesting Disability and/or Impairment Accommodations. USCIS is committed to providing qualified individuals reasonable accommodations to fully participate in USCIS programs and benefits. Such accommodations include. A . Being permitted to take the test orally B. Being provided with a Sign Language interpreter if Deaf or Hard of Hearing. C. If you are unable to travel USCIS may travel to you. 11 Check “Yes” here if requesting a medical exemption to the English and Civics test, based on a physical, developmental or mental impairment. Submitting this request does not guarantee you will be exempt.

12 Exemptions from the English Language Test. Refer to page 6 for exemptions.

Part 3. Information to Contact You. Provide current telephone number and e-mail address. Write N/A for anything not applicable. If Deaf or Hard of Hearing write “TDD” after your telephone number to indicate the use of TDD.

Part 4. Information About Your Residence. List every address where you have lived during the last five years (including other countries) prior to filing the N–400. Begin with where you live now and include the dates of residence. For example: 05/01/1998 to 06/01/1999

Part 5. Information About Your Parents. Complete this part if one or both of your biological or legally adoptive parents is a U.S. Citizen. Check “No” if they are not.

Part 6. Information For Criminal Records Check. Check every box that best describes your natural features without enhancement or modification. When providing your height you must follow the American System of Measurement. For example, write 5 feet 9 inches. Do not write your height in meters or centimeters. Categories and definitions for Ethnicity and Race.

1 Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American or other Spanish culture/origin.

2 White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

3 Asian. A person having origins

in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian sub continent.

4 Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

5 American Indian or Alaska American. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America and who maintain tribal affiliations.

6 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. A person

having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or Pacific Islands.

Part 7. Information About Your Employment and Schools You Attended. List where you have worked or attended school full time or part time during the last five years. If you worked for yourself write “self-employed”. If you were unemployed write “unemployed”.

Part 8. Time Outside of the United States. 1 Provide information for every trip (24 hours or longer) you have taken during the last five years. Begin with the most recent. 2 Provide the total number of days (24 hours or longer) you spent outside of the U.S. during the last five years. 3 Provide the total number of trips (24 hours or longer) you have taken outside the U.S. during the last five years.

Part 9. Information About Your Marital History. 1 Check the marital status you have on the date you file your N–400. 2 If married indicate if your spouse is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

3 Write the number of times you have been married. 4 If married provide info on your spouse. 5 Check the box to indicate if your spouse is a U.S. citizen. 6 If your current spouse is a U.S. citizen through Naturalization, check the box that indicates when they became a U.S. citizen and provide the date of his or her Naturalization. 7 Provide the requested information if your spouse is not a U.S. citizen. 8 If your spouse was married before provide info about their prior messages. 9 If you were married before, provide information about your prior spouse or spouses.

Part 10. Information About Your Children. 1 Indicate your total number of children. Count all of your children regardless of whether they are: 16

A. Alive, missing, deceased B. Born in other countries or the U.S. C. Under or over 18 years of age. D. Married or unmarried. E. Living with you or elsewhere. F. Current step-children. G. legally adopted children. H. Children born when you were not married. 2 Provide information on all children listed in 1.

Part 11. Additional Information Answer each question by checking “Yes” or “No”. If you check “Yes” you must provide a written explanation on an additional sheet.

Part 12. Your Signature. Read the statement and then sign as you would normally sign your name. You may place an “X” mark if you are unable to write in any language. NOTE: A designated representative may sign here if the applicant is physically or mentally unable.

Part 13. Signature and Contact Information of the Person Who prepared this Form, if other than the applicant. If you prepared this form yourself, leave this section blank.

Part 14. Statement of Applicants Who Used an Interpreter. If you used an interpreter to answer the questions on this form, then you and your interpreter must complete this section.

For additional information and help you can visit www.uscis.gov

***DO NOT COMPLETE PARTS 15, 16, and 17 UNTIL A USCIS OFFICER INSTRUCTS YOU TO DO SO AT YOUR INTERVIEW*** Part 15. Signature at Interview. Part 16. Renunciation of Foreign Titles Part 17. Oath of Allegiance.

Collect all Necessary Documents The following is a list of documents to submit with your Form N–400

A Copy of Permanent Resident Card.

Provide a photocopy of the front and back of your Form I–551 (Permanent Resident Card). USCIS must be able to read the information on the photocopy. If you have lost your Form I–551, attach a copy of any other entry document or a photocopy of a receipt showing that you have filed Form I–90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

Photographs 2 inches

2 inches Back

Name

Alien Registration Number

Provide two identical passport style color photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of filing your Form Nâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;400. The photos must have a white to off white background, printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and unmounted and untouched. If a digital photo is submitted, it must be taken from a camera with at least 3.5 mega pixels of resolution.

Photos must be 2"x 2" and must be in color with a full face, frontal view. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing head wear as required by a religious denomination. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and Alien Registration Number on the back of each photo.

Bring the Following Documents to Your Interview. Permanent Resident Card. State-Issued Identification. Bring a valid State-issued identification, such as a driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license. Passports and Travel Documents. Bring a valid and expired passport(s), as well as any travel documents issued by USCIS. Other Documents. If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime you must bring a certified arrest report(s), court disposition(s), sentencing report(s), and any other relevant documents.

Submit the filing fee The fee for filing Form Nâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;400 is $595.

Biometrics Service Fee Exceptions. You do not have to pay the Biometrics fee if: 1 You are 75 years of age or older 2 If you are filing under the military provisions section 328 or 329 of the INA. Check if Fees are Correct. USCIS fees change periodically. You can verify the fees by visiting www.uscis.gov or by calling 1-800-375-5283 Call 1-800-767-1833 if Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

The following are guidelines for preparing checks or money orders for your N–400 Form fees. 1 Checks or money orders must be from a bank or other financial institution located in the United States and must be payable in U.S. currency. 2 Make the checks or money orders payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. NOTE: Spell out U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Do not use “USDHS”or “DHS”.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

3 If you live outside of the United States, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate for instructions on the Method of Payment.

STEP 3 Go to Biometrics Appointment

Completed Steps

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You will receive a notice for your biometrics appointment date, time, and location. Make sure to arrive at the designated location at the scheduled time. Have your biometrics taken and then at a later date you will receive an appointment for your interview. USCIS requires all applicants to

be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal background checks. All background checks must be completed before your scheduled interview. If you are 75 years old or older you are exempt from the fingerprint requirement, but are still subject to background checks.

STEP 4 Complete the Interview

Completed Steps

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USCIS will schedule an interview with you to complete the Naturalization Process. You must report to the USCIS office at the date and time on your appointment notice. Please bring the appointment notice with you. It is very important that you do not miss your interview. If you have to miss your interview, make sure to notify the USCIS office and reschedule. Keep in mind that rescheduling can add several months to the process.

What to Expect at the Interview. You will meet with a USCIS officer and answer questions about your N–400 Form. You will take the English and Civics test, unless exempt. USCIS will provide you with results following the interview. In some cases the USCIS officer

will not be able to make a decision. Reasons for this may include a request for you to provide additional evidence or require a second interview.

Three Most Common Reasons for Having Your Application Continued are: 1 You Fail the English/Civics test. USCIS will schedule you to come back for another interview withing 60–90 days of your first interview. You will only be retested on the part that you failed. If you fail a second time your N–400 Form will be denied. 2 The USCIS officer determines you need to provide additional documents/evidence. 3 You fail to provide USCIS the correct documents.

Helpful Tips Do not arrive more than 15 to 30 minutes in advance If possible go to your interview location in advance. Make sure you know where it is exactly located. Dress in business casual. Memorize everything from your application. Do not keep a copy of your application in front of you. If you missed something on the application or realize something is incorrect, make sure to mention it during the interview. Always tell the truth. If you do not understand a question it is OK to ask the officer to rephrase it.

STEP 5 Receive a Decision

Completed Steps

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You will receive a written decision notice. Granted USCIS may approve your N–400 Form if the evidence on record establishes your eligibility for naturalization. Denied USCIS will deny your Form N–400 if the evidence on record establishes that you are not eligible for naturalization.

If your application is denied you will receive a letter explaining the reason for denial. You may request a hearing to appeal this decision by filing Form N–336 “Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceeding”. You must file this form with the fee within 30 days of your N–400 form decision date.

STEP 6 Take the Oath

Completed Steps

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You are not a U.S. Citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a Naturalization Ceremony.

You may be able to participate in the oath ceremony on the same day as your interview. If this is not available, the USCIS will mail you a notification with the date, time, and location of your scheduled oath ceremony. You will hand in your Permanent Resident Card and receive your Certificate of Naturalization after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

Checklist Step 1. Determine Eligibility Step 2. Prepare and Submit N–400 Form

Complete and Sign N–400 Form

Collect all Necessary Documents to Demonstrate Your Eligibility

Submit Filing Fee

File Your Completed N–400 Form

Step 3. Go To Biometrics Appointment Step 4. Complete Interview Step 5. Receive a Decision Step 6. Take the Oath

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The United States is home in the end.â&#x20AC;? - Mario Imania