U.S. Citizenship

Information on the types of U.S. citizenship applications our office provides services on.

U.S. Naturalization (N-400)

    • Over 18

    • Lawful Permanent Resident / Green Card Holder

    • Continuous residence in U.S. for 5 years (3 years if married to U.S. citizen)

    • Physically present in U.S. for 2.5 years (1.5 years if married to U.S. citizen)

    • Reside in same state/USCIS service district for at least 3 months prior to filing

    • Possess “good moral character” during the 5- or 3-year continuous residence requirement.

    • Serious criminal convictions may permanently bar.

    • Certain crimes or other conduct that occurs during the continuous residence period may also disqualify.

    • Applicant will be tested on ability to use English.

    • Applicant will be tested on knowledge of U.S. government and history.

Certificate Of Citizenship (N-600)

    • Individuals who were born outside the U.S. to a U.S. citizen may be considered a U.S. citizen at birth. Requirements depend on the law in effect on the date of birth.

    • Individuals can also acquire U.S. citizenship after birth if the following occurred before turning 18:

      • One parent is a U.S. citizen.

      • They are the biological child of that parent.

      • They are a Lawful Permanent Resident/Green Card holder.

      • They reside with the U.S. citizen parent.

    • A person born in the U.S. is a U.S. citizen at birth.

    • A person born outside of the U.S. may found to have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if all of the following are met:

      • The person is a child of U.S. citizen parent(s).

      • The U.S. citizen parent satisfied certain residence or physical presence requirements in the U.S. before the person’s birth.

      • The person meets any other applicable requirements under INA 301 or INA 309.

    • Individuals who meet these requirements can file an Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) or for a U.S. passport for proof of their citizenship.

  • A child born outside of the U.S. automatically acquired U.S. citizenship if all of the following were met on or after February 27, 2001:

    • The child’s parent is a U.S. citizen by birth or through naturalization (including an adoptive parent).

    • The child is under 18 years of age.

    • The child is a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).

    • The child is residing in the U.S. with the U.S. citizen parent.

    • In general, a person filing an N-600 application must appear in person for an interview at USCIS.

    • USCIS may waive the interview requirement if USCIS received all documentation necessary to establish the applicant’s eligibility.

    • There is no English or civics test in the N-600 process as with the N-400 filing.

U.S. Passport

    • A U.S. passport is a travel document that Identifies a person as a U.S. citizen.

    • It is valid for travel to foreign countries and return to the U.S.

    • It is evidence of a person’s eligibility to receive the protection and assistance of U.S. diplomatic and consular offices while overseas.

    • Must be a citizen of the U.S.

    • U.S. citizenship may be acquired at birth, e.g. by either being born in the U.S., or having derived citizenship through a parent (see N-600 section).

    • U.S. citizenship may also be acquired through naturalization subsequent to birth (see N-400 section).

    • First time applicants, children under 16, and some renewals must apply in person.

    • No interview or exam is required.