Page Title

                NATURALIZATION & CITIZENSHIP

Naturalization is the procedure of obtaining citizenship in the United States of America.   For most
immigrants, especially those who are now Lawful Permanent Residents (i.e. have been living in the USA
with a "Green Card"), this is the final step in their journey to a new home and new country.   But first, it is
helpful to know the answers to the question, "Who is a U.S. Citizen?"

Who is Born a United States Citizen?

Generally, people are born U.S. citizens if they are born in the United States or if they are born to one or
two U.S. citizens:

(a) By being born in the United States

If you were born in the United States (including, in most cases, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands), you are an American citizen at birth (unless you were born to a foreign diplomat).
Your birth certificate is proof of your citizenship.

(b) Through birth abroad to two United States citizens

In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of the following are true:

Both your parents were U.S. citizens when you were born; and at least one of your parents lived in the
United States at some point in their life.

Your record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate or embassy, is proof of citizenship. You
may also apply for a passport to have your citizenship recognized. If you need additional proof of your
citizenship, you may file a Form N-600, "Application for Certificate of Citizenship."

(c) Through birth abroad to ONE United States citizen. In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of
the following are true:

One of your parents was a U.S. citizen when you were born and your citizen parent lived at least 5
years in the United States before you were born; and at least 2 of these 5 years in the United States
were after your citizen parent's 14th birthday.

“No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of
this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that
Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident
within the United States.”

The Naturalization Procedure

In most cases, citizenship through naturalization is obtained by completing and filing the form known as
N-400 Application for Naturalization if one is an adult, and the form N-600 Application for a Certificate of
Citizenship, if one is under the age of 18.   Payment of the current filing fee must accompany the
submission of the N-400 or N-600.

Additionally, the applicant must satisfy residency and physical presence requirements which are
prescribed by statute. The applicant must also pass a Biometrics/Fingerprints check which includes a
search for prior criminal records and a background security check. Finally the applicant must appear for
an interview at which time he or she must pass a Test on English and Civics. A new Test has been
proposed and will take effect in 2008.   When the U S Citizenship and Immigration Services is satisfied
that all statutory requirements are met, the applicant will be referred to the local United States District
Court for the administration of the Oath of Naturalization,

The oath of allegiance is as follows:

"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."

In some cases, especially pertaining to religious objections, USCIS allows the oath to be taken without
the clauses:

". . .that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform
noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law. . ."

The completion of the Oath of Allegiance will confer citizenship. Congratulations!

Do Not Forget To Register for Selective Service

Anyone interested in becoming a United States Citizen must be aware of the duty to register for Selective
Service (also known as the Draft). Selective Service registration makes available to the United States
Government a list of names of men who may be called up for military service in case of a national
emergency requiring rapid mobilization of the U.S. Armed Forces. By registering all young men, the
Selective Service can ensure that any future draft will be fair and equitable.   Federal law requires that
men who are at least 18 years old, but not yet 26 years old, must register with Selective Service.
Included are all male non-citizens within these age limits who permanently reside in the
United States. Men with "green cards" (lawful permanent residents) must register and men
living in the United States without Immigration documentation (undocumented aliens) must
also register.

Failure of a non-citizen male between 18-26 of age to register for Selective Service,
regardless of whether he has a religious or any other objection to military service, may
disqualify him from obtaining U. S. Citizenship. To register for Selective Service on-line click here.

Caveat /Disclaimer: U.S. immigration statutes, regulations and interpretations of same and federal, state and local law are subject to change and timely, competent
counsel from a qualified legal professional on current and applicable law is indispensable. The publisher reserves the right to amend the contents of this website at
any time and for any reason.