USA Naturalisation for UK Citizens

The US naturalisation process is the most common way for foreign nationals to obtain US citizenship. The other route is by birth to US parent(s).

Only lawful permanent residents who have held Green Cards for three to five years can apply for naturalisation, although it also applies to those who meet specific military requirements.

Step-by-step explanation of the US naturalization process:

1. File Form N-400, also called the Application for Naturalisation with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
2. Pay the filing fee of $760 if you are filing by paper or $710 when filing online. When filing online, you will need to create a USCIS account. This allows you to pay your fee online, check the status of your application, receive notifications and updates on your case, and respond to requests for additional evidence.
3. If you have been a permanent resident for at least five years or three years if you’re married to a US citizen, you can file for naturalisation 90 days before your continuous residence requirement is completed.
4. Supply all supporting documents as required by USCIS including a copy of your Permanent Resident Card commonly known as a green card, evidence of marital status such as a marriage certificate, annulment decree, divorce papers or death certificate and Form N-648 if you are requesting an exception to the English language and civics test due to disability. Proof of good moral character is also required along with evidence of continuous residence and physical presence in the US for the required period of time that applies to your specific situation.

5. Attend an Application Support Center (ASC) for a biometrics appointment where your photograph and fingerprints will be taken. The photo taken at the appointment will often be used for the certificate of naturalization, so you should dress appropriately.
6. Attend the citizenship interview with a USCIS officer and sit the civics and English language test.
7. If granted citizenship, attend an Oath of Allegiance ceremony. Only after this ceremony, usually two to six weeks after your citizenship interview, will you be a naturalized citizen.

Among the common challenges or obstacles in the naturalization process is the cost.

A lack of information for those who may be able to receive assistance with fees or are eligible for a fee waiver can contribute to the low uptake among those who qualify for naturalisation.

Other applicants find documents such as Form N-400 complex and confusing.

The US citizenship application process can take several months to complete from start to finish.

If you are concerned about meeting all the eligibility requirements or filling in your application form, contact Total Law on +1 844 290 6312. One of our expert immigration lawyers can help you with each application stage.

The eligibility requirements for the US citizenship application process are:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have been a green card holder for five years or three years if married to a US citizen
• Prove you have been present in the US for at least 30 months during the past five years
• Provide evidence that you have lived for at least three months in the state or USCIS district where you filed for naturalization
• Be of good moral character
• Pass the English language test
• Demonstrate knowledge of US history and government through a civics test
• Have an attachment to the US constitution
• Take the oath of allegiance at an oath of allegiance ceremony

Applicants must also be one of the following:

• Lawful permanent resident of the US for at least five years
• Married to a US citizen
• Child of a US citizen
• An active or veteran member of the US military service

As you must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States to be eligible for naturalisation, any absences can impede this requirement.

If you are absent from the US for six to twelve continuous months, this can disrupt your continuous residence in the country unless you can prove otherwise.

Physical presence is the actual time you have been in the United States instead of residency. It is the total number of days you are in the country during the period that you are required to be physically present. How you qualify for naturalisation will impact the physical presence requirement, but in all cases, trips outside the US count against this requirement.

You must demonstrate good moral character during the period of statutory residence up to when you take the Oath of Allegiance. Having a criminal history for this qualifying period can count against you. Knowledge of the English language is essential and you must demonstrate that you can understand, speak, read and write well enough to pass the English test.

Certain applicants may be exempt from some of the citizenship requirements. Those 50-55 years of age who have held their Green Cards for 20 years and 15 years, respectively, don’t have to take the English test and may take the civics test in the language of their choice.

Applicants over 65 who have been Green Card holders for more than 20 years are exempt from the English test and can take a simplified version of the civics test in the language of their choice. Disability exceptions are also available for the English and civics test, but you must file Form N-648.

There are many steps toward US citizenship so it’s normal to wonder how long does naturalization take? While the naturalization processing time can be several months, the exact duration often depends on which USCIS field office you file at.

Applicants are assigned to a specific office depending on their zip code and some offices work through applications quicker than others due to the volume they receive. It is possible to check through the USCIS website what the processing times are for each field office and these times are updated regularly.

Whether you have supplied all the required information will also impact how long you will have to wait for your American citizenship. Delays can happen because USCIS has asked you to supply additional evidence, such as police records, and they cannot continue with the application process until this information is received.

You can request that your case be expedited, but you must provide documents to prove why this is necessary. Through your USCIS account, you can check on the status of your American citizenship application at any time.