Citizenship Lawyer Addison

Citizenship Lawyer Addison

Applying for citizenship may be a straightforward matter for many that aspire to become US citizens, but for others, the process of becoming a U.S citizen other than by birth can be both tedious and complicated at the same time. At Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C., we help clients in the Addison area seeking to become U.S. citizens in understanding how the naturalization process works. Naturalization is the process by which one applies and is approved to become a U.S citizen, and that is assuming they are approved. Often, and to the surprise of many, applications for citizenship are routinely denied. 

If you are in Addison, Illinois, and have applied or are thinking about applying for US citizenship, it is in your best interest to seek and obtain the assistance of an immigration attorney who can help you in navigating the complex naturalization process.

Requirements for Naturalization (Citizenship)

To have an application for citizenship approved, the applicant must satisfy the eligibility requirements and go through the following steps:

Eligibility Criteria

For one to have their US citizenship application approved, they must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• Be 18 years old at least at the time of filing the naturalization application.
• Must have been a permanent resident (green card holder) for the past 3 or 5 years prior to applying for citizenship, depending on what category under which one applies. 
• Must have continuously and presently living in the United States.
• Must be able to read, write and speak basic English.
• Must demonstrate good moral character.
• Must have a knowledge and understanding of basic U.S. history and government.
• Must show loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and
• Must be willing and ready to take the Oath of Allegiance.

The Naturalization Application Process

The naturalization process starts with the preparation and filing of Form N-400 Application for Naturalization with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The application must be filed with the correct USCIS office if physically mailed and must be accompanied with the correct fee. 

The application, however, can either be physically mailed or it can be filed online. Once the application is properly filed and is received by the USCIS office, the applicant will receive a receipt from the USCIS, which is the official confirmation that the application has been received and accepted as properly filed.

Because of the large volume of petitions and applications received and processed by USCIS, there is a waiting period one must wait before they see action on their citizenship application.

Presently, there is a waiting time of approximately 12 to 16 months for applicants in Illinois.

However, this estimate of processing time assumes that you have properly filed your application, paid the correct fee, and the application addresses any issues that may otherwise cause delay.

Call a Citizenship Lawyer in Addison

If you have applied or are contemplating applying for citizenship, contact our Addison office to schedule a consultation. Many people apply for US citizenship before consulting an immigration lawyer but regret having their applications denied for reasons that could have been avoided had they consulted an experienced immigration lawyer. Do not risk this situation – contact us today!