What you should know about the naturalization process

On Behalf of | Jul 5, 2017 | Citizenship

The path to citizenship can be one fraught with challenges and difficulties. There are complex legal matters at hand, and the process can be difficult to understand and navigate. Your application for naturalization could come back denied for no clear reason, but knowing your rights and how to protect your interests could ease some of the difficulty of this process.

There are many advantages to becoming a citizen. In addition to the freedom to remain in the United States and continue living in Texas, you will also enjoy the many other benefits and privileges offered to legal citizens. To reach this goal and complete the application process correctly, you may need to secure qualified and experienced guidance.

What to expect from the naturalization process

The naturalization process is the process of becoming a citizen of the United States. As expected, this process is not easy to navigate, and it can be beneficial to know what to expect from it. In order to move forward with this process, you would be wise to know the eligibility requirements for individuals seeking to become a citizen. Applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a lawful permanent resident of the United States
  • Must have five years of permanent residence within the U.S. before filing
  • Must be of good moral character

While there are some exceptions regarding the amount of time that a person must have resided in the U.S. states, if you do not meet the above criteria, you may not be eligible for naturalization at this time. Once you have determined that you do meet the requirements, you will have to do the following:

  • Complete your naturalization application
  • Get fingerprinted as part of the application process
  • Submit to the interview
  • Sit for the final test

If you have success in completing all of the above steps, you will then take an oath of allegiance to the United States in a ceremony. You will have all of the rights and privileges granted to individuals born in the U.S.

Citizenship is worth the reward

The naturalization process is not easy to navigate, and you may have misgivings about whether it is truly a worthwhile endeavor. It is, in fact, worth the effort, and you may find that the complications of the naturalization process are well worth the rewards once you complete it.

Even if you are not yet a citizen of the United States, you still have rights. You would be wise not to navigate the naturalization process on your own, but to get the support you need to traverse the legal challenges ahead.