Naturalization to US Citizen

North Carolina Immigration Attorney for Naturalization to US Citizenship

The Constitution and laws of the United States extend rights to both citizens and noncitizens. But some rights are only for citizens, including:

• Voting. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. Most states also restrict the right to vote to U.S. citizens.
• Bringing family members from abroad. Citizens get priority when petitioning to bring overseas family members here permanently.
• Citizenship for children born abroad. In most cases, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen is automatically a U.S. citizen.
• Traveling with a U.S. passport. A U.S. passport allows you to get assistance from the U.S. government when overseas.
• Becoming eligible for federal jobs. Most jobs with government agencies require U.S. citizenship
• Retaining residency. The only way a green card holder can guarantee that he or she will always have the right to remain in the United States is to naturalize. Permanent residents are always at risk of losing their green card if they spend long periods outside the United States.
• Deportation. If a green card holder is ever convicted of a crime — and not necessarily a serious crime — there is a risk of being deported. U.S. citizens usually retain their citizenship even if they run afoul of the law.
• Government benefits. Some permanent residents cannot get the same public benefits as citizens.
• Tax consequences. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not always treated the same for tax purposes.
• Federal grants. While many federal grants are available to permanent residents, an increasing number are available only to U.S. citizens.
• Becoming an elected official. Many elected offices in the United States require that you be a U.S. citizen.

In addition to obtaining these rights and benefits, people seek citizenship because it feels right. Becoming a citizen is a way to demonstrate commitment to your new country.

It has been our privilege to assist hundreds of clients as their attorney through the process of naturalization. Lawyer Gerald Goulder can help you make this journey as well.

Naturalization to US citizen is the process by which US citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Eligibility Requirements for Naturalization

If you are a permanent resident (“green card” holder) of at least 5 years, you must meet the following requirements in order to apply for naturalization:  

• Be 18 or older at the time of filing;
• Be a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization;
• Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing the application. (Students may apply for naturalization either where they go to school or where their family lives (if they are still financially dependent on their parents.);
• Have continuous residence in the United States as a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application;
• Be physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application;
• Reside continuously within the United States from the date of application for naturalization up to the time of naturalization;
• Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (civics);
• Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law.

Different period of permanent residence for green card holders married to a US Citizen—3 years of permanent residence To be eligible for naturalization based on marriage to a US Citizen, pursuant to section 319(a) of the INA, an applicant must:

• Be 18 or older
• Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the naturalization application;
• Have been living in marital union with the U.S. citizen spouse, who has been a U.S. citizen during all of such period, during the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application and up until examination on the application;
• Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing the application;
• Have continuous residence in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application;
• Reside continuously within the United States from the date of application for naturalization until the time of naturalization;
• Be physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application;
• Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (also known as civics);
• Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law.

Naturalization for Military Personnel

USCIS recognizes the important sacrifices made by non-US citizen members of the US armed forces and their families.

Members of the US armed forces and their dependents (spouses and children) may be eligible for citizenship, to include expedited and overseas processing, under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Gerald Goulder is an experienced North Carolina immigration lawyer helping individuals and families in North Carolina and throughout the United States and around the world with naturalization to US citizen. US immigration law is federal law. This enables Goulder Immigration Law Firm to assist individuals and families throughout the US and around the world.

If you seek an investor visa solution for either a nonimmigrant visa or the immigrant investor visa, call immigration attorney Gerald Goulder at Goulder Immigration Law Firm (336) 808-1119 or ask him a question using this online email form: