United States Citizenship
A power point presentation in partial
completion of requirements for
ILS 504 Fall 2012 By Martha Blume
Why become a U.S. Citizen?
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Vote.
Serve on a jury.
Travel with a U.S. passport.
Bring family members to the U.S. –citizens
usually get priority
• Obtain citizenship for children under 18 years
of age.
More reasons…
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Apply for federal jobs.
Become an elected official.
Keep your residency.
Become eligible for federal grants and
scholarships.
• Obtain government benefits.
Are you eligible?
• 18 years or older?
• Permanent resident (have a
“green card”) for at least 5 years?
• Continuous residence in the U.S.
for at least 5 years (or 3 years if
you are married to a U.S. Citizen)?
• Physically present in the U.S. for at
least 30 months out of the last 5
years?
• Lived for at least 3 months in the
state where you claim residence?
Eligibility, continued
• Read, write, and speak basic English?
• Basic knowledge of U.S. history and
government (civics)?
• A person of good moral character?
• Support the principles and ideals of the U.S.
Constitution?
Helpful Websites
• For English language instruction in your
community
• www.literacydirectory.org/
• For study guides in U.S. history and civics
• www.uscis.gov/citizenshiptest
Naturalization
Eligibility
Worksheet
Form M-480
FORM M-480
• http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/Citize
nship%20&%20Naturalization%20Based%20R
esources/A%20Guide%20to%20Naturalization
/PDFs/M-480.pdf
What is the purpose of M-480?
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To determine if you are eligible
Do NOT send this to USCIS
Do NOT use this if you are under 18
Answer “TRUE” or “NOT TRUE”
If you think you are eligible, go to
Form N-400
How to Apply?
www.uscis.gov
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
N-400 Application
for Naturalization
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/
n-400.pdf
Or call
1-800-870-3676
to get the form mailed to you
Fees
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Fee for filing your application
Biometric services fee
(for having your fingerprints taken)
Total fee:
$595.00
$ 85.00
_______
$680.00
• You must send a check or money order to the
Department of Homeland Security.
• DO NOT SEND CASH
What else do you need?
• 2 identical passport-type color photos
– Printed on glossy paper
– With a white or light background
– Unretouched
– Size 2” x 2”
– Taken within 30 days of filing
– Write your name and Alien Registration Number
on the back of each photo
What else do you need?
• A photo copy of both sides of your Permanent
Resident Card
What else?
A check or money order for $680 made payable
to the Department of Homeland Security
Write your A-number on the back of the check
Mail Form N-400 to:
USCIS Dallas Lockbox Facility
USCIS
PO 660060
Dallas, TX 75266
With:
• your check
• Photocopy of both sides of your Permanent
Resident Card
• 2 color photographs
IF your current legal name is different from the
name on your permanent resident card, send
a copy of the document that legally changed
your name, like….
– Marriage certificate
– Divorce decree
– Court document
IF you are applying for residency based on
marriage to a U.S. Citizen, provide copies of:
• Your current marriage certificate AND
• Proof of termination of any previous marriages of your spouse AND
• Evidence that your spouse has been a US citizen for the last three
years AND
• Documents referring to you and your spouse, like tax returns
• If YOU were married before, send proof of termination of all
previous marriages.
IF you ever been arrested, cited, or
detained by the police
• Send original court-certified documents that show
the court disposition of the case and verify whatever
outcomes for all arrests and detentions
• If you were put on probation,
send evidence that you
completed your probation.
IF you traveled outside the U.S. for 6 months or
more since becoming a permanent resident,
send documents to show you
plan to reside in the U.S., like:
• An IRS tax return
• Rent or mortgage
payments
Are you a man between ages 18 and 26?
• You must register for Selective Service (the
draft) and provide proof of your registration
• www.sss.gov
Income Tax Forms
• Send certified tax returns for the last 5 years
(or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen)
• www.irs.gov form 4506-T
Did you SIGN your Form N-400?
YAY!
WHAT’S NEXT? • You wait, an average of 6
months, for your forms to
be processed.
• USCIS will let you know
where you need to go to be
fingerprinted
• You can check the status of
your application at
www.uscis.gov or
1-800-375-5283
The Naturalization Interview
• Receive an appointment for your interview.
• Go to your local USCIS office at the specified time.
• Bring state-issued identification, Permanent Resident Card,
and any additional documents specific to your case.
• Answer questions about your application and background.
• Take the English and civics tests.
• Receive case status.
The Naturalization Interview
The officer will continue to ask you questions about your
N-400 form…and she may ask additional questions as well
The officer may ask
questions about:
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Trips outside the U.S.
Past marriages
Problems with the law
Military service in the U.S.
Allegiance to the U.S. government
History and Civics Test
Questions are asked orally; you must answer 6/10 correctly
Sample Test Questions:
1-Who was the first
president of the U.S.?
2-Where is the Statue of
Liberty?
3-How many Senators
are there
in the U.S. Senate?
4-What was one
issue that led to
the Civil War?
Where to get help
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuit
em.acfc8bb2d633f506e34f4a10526e0aa0/?vg
nextoid=64f22cac1551b210VgnVCM10000008
2ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=5efcebb7d4ff821
0VgnVCM10000025e6a00aRCRD
More help…
Practice on-line
All of these resources are
FREE at
USCIS.gov
And they are available in 6 languages!
Reading Test
You must read one out of three sentences correctly to
demonstrate an ability to read in English.
Writing Test
You must write one out of three sentences correctly.
Application
Granted!
You take the Oath of Allegiance
You are a citizen of the U.S.!
Helpful Resources
www.uscis.gov
www.uscis.gov/citizenshipsessions
Form M-476, A Guide to Naturalization provides information on the benefits and
responsibilities of citizenship, an overview of the naturalization process, eligibility
requirements, and what to expect at your naturalization interview.
www.uscis.gov/natzguide
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization is the form you will use to apply for U.S.
citizenship.
www.uscis.gov/n-400
If you believe you are already a U.S. citizen, determine if you are eligible to file Form N600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship or Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship
and Issuance of Certificate.
www.uscis.gov/n-600 www.uscis.gov/n-600k
To update your address with USCIS, file Form AR-11, Change of Address.
www.uscis.gov/addresschange