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The Path to Citizenship. Welcome to America!. Where in the world are you from?. Legal Residency: Permanent Resident or “Green” Card. When can I become a citizen? Usually…. If you have been a permanent resident for five years and have lived here in Minnesota for at least 3 months.
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Whencan I become a citizen? Usually…. • If you have been a permanent resident for five years and have lived here in Minnesota for at least 3 months. • Or, if you are a permanent resident and have been married to a U.S. citizen and living here for three years. • If you have served in the military, your residency can be shorter. • You can apply 3 months before you are eligible.
You must… -be able to understand and speak English well. -be able to write English well. -obey the law and be a good member of the community. -learn about America and its history. -learn about the government.
Complete the Form N-400 • Tell the truth. • Be complete. • Get help, if you need it. • Review what you have said in the form so you remember it well.
Mail the completed Application Form N-400 to the USCIS Service Center near you. • Include pictures of yourself. • Include a money order for the $680 filing fee. • Include a copy of your Permanent Resident Card. • Other required documents. • You will receive a receipt from the USCIS.
It may take weeks or months for USCIS to review your application and check your background. If you are okay to proceed with your application, you will get a “biometrics” notice in the mail asking that you get your fingerprints taken. The USCIS wants to verify your identity.
Finally, your notice of interview will arrive! • Plan how to get there. • Plan to get there early. • Bring everything the notice says to bring, including a picture ID with your current address on it.
Show courtesy and respect. • Smile and try to relax. • Take your time. • Listen carefully. • If you don’t understand, ask. • Show you can speak English well.
In the interview, you will be: • Asked information about yourself. • Asked questions about American history and government: up to 10 of the 100 Questions. You must answer six correctly. • Asked to read sentences. • Asked to write sentences the interviewer says.
If you don’t pass the interview, you have one more chance without applying again. Wait for notice of the next interview. If you don’t pass after two chances, you must start the application process again and pay all the fees again, if you want to try again.
If you pass the interview, you are not yet a citizen. You must first take the Oath of Allegiance at a special ceremony. You will get a notice in the mail of the time and place to take the Oath.
It is important to fully understand the Oath of Allegiance. "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;…”
“…that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law;…”
“…that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
Bring the documents with you to the ceremony that are requested in the notice. You will turn in your permanent residence card and get….. your Certificate of Naturalization!!
Now you will be a citizen: You can vote. You can run for office. You can apply for a federal job. You might serve on a jury. Don’t forget to register to vote! You will get a form for this to complete and mail in at the ceremony. Do it!!
