US Naturalization Process
Contac Lim Law
Orlando Naturalization Attorney
Our Team Can Help You Become a U.S. Citizen
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. Citizenship is granted to a national or foreign citizen, once they have fulfilled the requirement established in the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you want to obtain permanent residence in the United States, then you will most likely need to undergo this process.
At Lim Law, P.A., we guide our clients through every step of naturalization so they can become full U.S. citizens. If you hire one of our Orlando naturalization lawyers, they will make sure you are prepared for all the deadlines, forms, and meetings required to complete this process.
Contact us online or call (407) 897-8870 to speak with an Orlando naturalization attorney. We offer services in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
What Are the Advantages of Citizenship?
There are many benefits to becoming a U.S. citizen. Some of the top reasons are:
- Protection from deportation for you and your children
- Citizenship for your children
- Reuniting your familyalready in the U.S.
- Ability to vote in elections for public officials
- Freedom to express yourself
- Freedom to worship as you wish
- Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury
If you want to go through the naturalization process, we urge you to speak with an experienced citizenship & naturalization attorney in Orlando at Lim Law, P.C. Read on to learn about being eligible to file for naturalization.
What Are the Advantages of Citizenship?
Naturalization is not as simple as filling out a single form. First, you need to make sure you meet the requirements.
You are eligible to file for Naturalization if:
- You are at least 18 years old or older
- You are a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least five years (three years if you are a spouse of a U.S. citizen)
- You are a resident of the U.S for at least five years
- You have been present in the states for at least 30 months
- You are a person of good moral character
- You are willing to take the Oath of Allegiance
- You are able to speak, write, read, and understand the English language
- You possess knowledge and understanding of history and government of the U.S.
There may be some exceptions to the these requirements through options such as an immigration waiver. For example, if you are over the age of 50 and have lived as a permanent resident in the U.S. for 15 years or more, the requirements for the English and civics tests may be waived. Additionally, some exceptions to these requirements are applied to veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Reach out to a skilled immigration professional in Orlando for advice on the best way to approach your citizenship application.
Our naturalization lawyers serve Maitland and Orlando and provide services in English, Cantonese, French, Mandarin, and Spanish. Call (407) 897-8870 today!
Common Challenges During the Naturalization Process
Naturalization is not an easy process. It takes time, planning, and ensuring that your paperwork is complete and correct. However, not all challenges involve documentation.
Common problems when attempting to obtain citizenship:
- Finding out you are already a U.S. citizen.
- Filing too early. Make sure you have been a permanent resident for 5 years (or 3 years of you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen). If your application is too early, it will be denied.
- Deportability. If you have been arrested, you may be eligible for naturalization and also eligible for deportation Be sure to reach out to a naturalization attorney to confirm what your options are.
- Issues with good moral character. You must be able to demonstrate this for 3 - 5 years (depending on your situation).
- Abandonment of residency. If you have an application for citizenship and you are still traveling outside the U.S. be aware of how long you stay out of the country. If you have been absent for 6 months, this may be considered abandonment and you will be unable to apply.
How Long Does it Take to Become a U.S. Citizen?
Processing times may be different depending on your situation, however, on average, it takes about 12 to 18 months to become a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process. How well you have prepared your N-400 and where you live may affect the length of time it takes to process it.
Things that may affect your processing time:
- Backlog of cases at your USCIS office
- How you prepared your N-400, Application for Naturalization. Filling it out completely and providing the correct supporting documents can help you avoid mistakes that will cause delays.
Other steps to consider:
- Biometric Appointment: scheduled 2 to 3 months after Form N-400 is filed
- Citizenship Interview and Test: about 7 to 11 months after filing
- Oath Ceremony: taken after passing the interview and test -- about 8 to 12 months after filing
Call a Naturalization Lawyer in Orlando (407) 897-8870
If you are seeking citizenship in the United States, contact Lim Law, P.C. online or via phone today! We have helped thousands of clients throughout Florida with their complex immigration matters and we are backed by many years of experience. If you or a loved one wish to apply for citizenship via naturalization, we are ready to guide you every step of the way. Do not hesitate to reach out to our immigration law firm. Your initial consultation is free of charge and we are more than happy to answer any of your questions!
Call (407) 897-8870 or contact Lim Law online to schedule a consultation with an Orlando naturalization attorney. We have offices in Maitland and Kissimmee and have services in English, Spanish, Cantonese, French, and Mandarin.
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