Filing for Certificate of Citizenship or "Naturalization"
Naturalization is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen if you were born outside of the United States. After you have been a green card holder for three years (marriage-based green card) or five years (employment-based green card), you are eligible to apply to naturalize to become an official U.S. Citizen. If you have been a legal permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States and are now thinking about obtaining U.S. citizenship, read this guide to determine if you qualify and learn the naturalization process.
What Does U.S. Citizenship Mean?
U.S. Citizenship is a legal status granting you full rights, protections, and responsibilities under the United States Constitution. It's a permanent status that cannot be removed except for cases of fraud during the green card or naturalization process.
Citizenship comes with a variety of benefits and rights, such as the freedom of speech and religion, as well as the right to vote, run for election, federal employment, protection from deportation, priority benefits when sponsoring family members for green cards, and a domestic trial by jury.
However, becoming a citizen also comes with a set of obligations that every American citizen needs to fulfill, such as answering jury summons, paying taxes, and abiding by federal and state laws.
If these are principles that you are willing to uphold, then use the following information to determine if you are prequalified to apply for naturalization.
