The Most Common Ways To Receive A Naturalized US Citizenship

There are many different ways to become a naturalized citizen of the United States, but most of them require you first to meet certain requirements.

How many ways are there to receive US citizenship? There are four common ways to become a US citizen. The first way is by birth, which means that you were born in the United States or one of its territories. The second way is through parents, which means that at least one of your parents was a US citizen when you were born. 

The third way is through marriage, this happens naturally when you are married to a US citizen. The fourth and final way is through naturalization, which means that you have completed the naturalization process and met all the requirements. Thus, you can receive naturalized citizenship.

The usual order of events for immigrating to the U.S. involves first getting a visa, then securing a green card, and finally completing the naturalization application. However, there are some exceptions to this order depending on your situation. For example, if you have been granted asylum or refugee status, you may be able to bypass the visa and green card stages and go straight to applying for citizenship.

If you are living in Texas and are contemplating obtaining naturalized American citizenship, it is wise to consult with an immigration lawyer. For example, an Austin Texas immigration lawyer can evaluate which method is best suited for your current needs and lifestyle.

The Most Common Ways To Receive Naturalized Citizenship

Citizenship by Naturalization. You may be eligible for citizenship by naturalization if you meet the following criteria: 

• You are at least 18 years old.
• You have been a permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years.
• You have lived in your state or USCIS district for at least 3 months.
• You have demonstrated good moral character.
• You are able to read, writes and speak basic English.

Citizenship by Marriage. If you are married to a US citizen, you may be eligible for citizenship through marriage. You must meet the following criteria: 

• You are 18 years of age or older.
• You have been a permanent resident of the United States for at least 3 years.
• Your spouse has been a US citizen during that time.
• Your spouse has been physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the last 3 years.
• Your spouse is willing to sponsor your application for citizenship.

Citizenship through Your Parents. If you were born outside of the United States, but one or both of your parents were US citizens at the time of your birth, you may be eligible for citizenship through them. You will need to provide your Certificate of Report of Birth as proof of citizenship.

Citizenship through the Military. If you serve(d) in the US military, you may be eligible for citizenship. You must meet the following criteria: 

• You are at least 18 years old.
• You have served in the US military for at least 1 year.
• You have been a permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years.
• You have demonstrated good moral character.

US Birth Certificate. If you were born in the United States, you are automatically a US citizen. You will need to provide a copy of your birth certificate as proof of citizenship.

Certificate of Naturalization. If you became a US citizen through naturalization, you will need to provide your Certificate of Naturalization as proof of citizenship.

Of course, all of these can be initiated and done on your own. However, there are certain advantages to hiring an Austin Texas immigration lawyer, for example. They are abreast with current immigration laws and implementing guidelines, thus potentially reducing your processing time. 

The Process For Becoming A Naturalized US Citizen

Marriage. If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you may apply for naturalization after 3 years of living in the US as a permanent resident. You must also meet the following requirements:

• Being 18 years old or more.
• Continuous residence in the US for 18 months during the 3-year period
• Good moral character.
• Meeting the requirements to enter the US legally in possession of a Green Card at the time of applying for the naturalization test.

Permanent residency. You may apply for naturalization after 5 years of living in the US as a permanent resident. You must also meet the following requirements:

• Being 18 years old or more.
• Continuous residence in the US for 5 years before applying (with no trips lasting longer than 6 months outside of the US).
• Good moral character.

Living in the US for 3 years. You may apply for naturalization if you have lived in the US continuously as a legal permanent resident for at least 5 years, and meet all other eligibility requirements including:

• Being 18 years old or more.
• Continuous residence in any state or USCIS district for at least 3 months prior to filing.

Continuous residence in the US for 18 months during the 3-year period. You must have resided continuously in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years immediately preceding your application date. This means that you cannot have been outside of the United States for more than 6 months at a time during this 3-year period.

Good moral character. You must be a person of good moral character. USCIS will consider your entire life, not just the 5 years immediately preceding your application, in determining whether you meet this requirement.

Meeting the requirements to enter legally. You must be currently admitted to the United States in one of the following immigrant categories: refugee, asylee, Cuban national, parolee, or victim of trafficking.

In possession of a Green Card. You must be in possession of a Green Card (permanent resident card) at the time you file your N-400 application and take your Oath of Allegiance to become a U.S. citizen.

How Long It Takes To Become A Naturalized US Citizen

The process to become a US citizen usually takes approximately 5 to 6 months. you must first pass the naturalization test before you file an application. If you have spent the required amount of time with a green card, you might need to wait longer before applying for US citizenship if you either:

• Have not lived in the district or state where you are filing your application for at least three months before submitting your N-400 application.
• Have spent more than a year outside the United States.
• You cannot yet demonstrate that you’ve had a good moral character for the required amount of time before applying for citizenship, particularly if you have committed a crime.
• Some types of crimes will bar citizenship altogether, others will mean you have to wait until some years have passed before submitting your N-400.

Do note, that whatever option for naturalization you may have in mind, it is still best to consult an immigration lawyer. An experienced Austin Texas immigration lawyer by your side, for instance, can ensure that you comply with all the necessary documents thus potentially minimizing your processing time. 

The Benefits Of Becoming A Naturalized Us Citizen

Becoming a naturalized US citizen immediately grants you all the benefits of citizenship. This includes the right to vote, the right to live permanently in the United States, the ability to work legally in the United States, and the ability to travel with a US passport. You are also eligible for federal jobs.

In order to become a naturalized US citizen, you must meet a few requirements.

• You must be at least 18 years old when you apply.
• You must have had a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) for at least 5 years, or for at least 3 years if you’re filing as the spouse of a US citizen.
• You must be able to speak, write and read basic English.
• You must have good moral character.
• You must possess a basic knowledge of US and government laws.
• You must meet other requirements for both physical presence and continuous residence.