Citizenship - Direct U.S. Immigration: NATURALIZATION
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    Last Update: 01 November 2021

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U.S. Citizenship through Naturalization

Learning the steps and requirements in applying for U.S. Citizenship through the naturalization process is simple. Find out what you need to know about dual citizenship, proof of citizenship, replacement of lost citizenship certificate, and establishing citizenship without a birth certificate.

NATURALIZATION

This refers to the process in which a person not born in the United States voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen. It involves 10 steps which starts with determining:

1. If you are already a U.S. citizen: 

If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth, or you did not acquire or derive U.S. citizenship from your parent(s) automatically after birth, you may proceed to the next step.

If you are Born Abroad or in U.S. Territories, you are considered a U.S. citizen if:

  • You have a birth certificate issued by a U.S. state
  • You were born in a U.S. territory and have a birth certificate issued by that territory.
  • You were born outside of the U.S. to at least one U.S. citizen parent and your parent(s) recorded your birth with the U.S. Embassy or consulate in that country. If your birth was recorded before your 18th birthday, the Embassy or consulate issued your parent(s) a document called a Consulate Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), as proof of your U.S. citizenship. You may request a copy of it from the U.S. Department of State (DOS). If you are 18 years of age or older, and the Embassy or consulate did not issue a CRBA, then you may apply for a Certificate of Citizenship at the USCIS.

2. Your eligibility to become an American citizen: Depending on your situation, different requirements may apply to you. However, these are some of the General Eligibility requirements:

  • The applicant must be 18 years old at the time of filing Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).
  • Must be a “Green card” holder (permanent resident) for at least 5 years.
  • Demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least 5 years immediately before the date you file Form N-400.
  • Show that you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately before the date you file Form N-400.
  • Show that you have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you apply

Upon review of the first 2 considerations, you may proceed with the next steps in your application for Naturalization

 

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

Dual citizenship allows a person to have citizenship in two countries at the same time, and that person is fully entitled to all the rights and benefits offered by both countries. U.S. law does not obligate a person to choose one citizenship over another.

 

If you have dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country, you must always use your U.S. passport when entering and leaving the United States.

 

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP

The following documents are legally acknowledged as proof of U.S. citizenship:

1. Certificates of Citizenship: You may apply for a Certificate of Citizenship if you were born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, and your parents did not get a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for you before you turned 18. 

 

2.  Certificates of Naturalization: Foreign nationals receive a Certificate of Naturalization when they become American citizens.

 

REPLACEMENT OF LOST CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATE

If you had previously been issued a Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization and the document had been lost, stolen or destroyed, you may ask for a replacement by submitting Form N-565 (Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document) to USCIS.

 

ESTABLISHING CITIZENSHIP WITHOUT A BIRTH CERTIFICATE

If you were born in the U.S. and have no birth certificate on file, you will need the following documents to prove your citizenship:

  • A letter from the vital records office in the state you were born in, bearing your name and what years they searched for your birth certificate.
  • A Letter of No Record from the vital records office. You will also need secondary evidence of U.S. citizenship to prove your birth in the United States.

Acceptable documents for secondary evidence: Delayed birth certificate (filed more than a year after birth), early public or private documents created/issued early in the applicant’s life (preferably the first 5 years)  

 

If you have further questions or need assistance in securing important documents or finding resources related to your application, you may schedule a consultation with any one of our immigration specialists. Direct U.S. Immigration will help turn your questions into a step-by-step action plan towards obtaining your U.S. Citizenship!

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