Naturalization

Naturalization is the path to US citizenship. It involves 5 main steps: filling out the N-400 form, getting fingerprinted, attending an interview, taking a short test on U.S. history, and saying the citizenship oath in a U.S. courthouse.

Step One: The N-400 Form

For the first part of your application, you must fill out this form:

In it you will write your date of birth, country of origin, background, and legal name. The cost is about $595. Don't worry! California has several feder and citizen-sponsored agencies that help with fees. Look for them in the Legal Resources tab. Requirements before filling out the form:

• You must be 18 or older
• You need to be a permanent resident (this means you have an address for a house or apartment and have a greencard, which allows you to work legally in the US
• You must have lived in the US for five yearsand in your state for 3 months continuously
  • For example, if you lived in the state of Texas for 1 month and then lived in California for another 2 months, you cannot fill out the form because you were not in the same state for exactly 3 months.

Try not to travel out of your state during the naturalization process, it can interfere with your application.

Step Two: Getting Fingerprinted

After you fill out your N-400 form you must be fingerprinted. The USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) will send you the location of the fingerprinting center, either through email or postal service. The cost is $85, but as with the N-400 form, possible fee waivers are available in the Legal Resources tab. You can also search for a center manually with this link: Find a USCIS Office . Scroll to the bottom of the page and type in your zip code. This will show you the location of nearby fingerprinting centers. What Happens During the Screening: The FBI will upload your fingerprint into a database. Then they will check to see if you have a crimminal record. Once you are cleared, an official will help you set up an appointment for your Naturalization interview. NOTE: You will also recieve a free booklet to study for the test, which consists of English and US history sections.

Step Three: The Interview & English Literacy Test

You're almost there! During the interview the interviewer will ask questions about the information in your application (the N-400 form). They will also question you on your background, which may involve your birthplace, family history, and other such topics. Make sure you know basic conversational English. Don't worry if you're unsure of your speaking ability! NOTE: The English Literacy Test will also be conducted during the interview.

The English Literacy Test is divided into the three sections below:

1. The Speaking Portion
• This is a general test of how well you communicate in English and will be assessed throughout the interview. Don't worry about using big words, just be very clear and directly answer the interviewer's questions.
2. The Reading Portion
• For this test, the interviewer will ask you to read aloud three sentences. To pass, you have to correctly pronounce at least one sentence.
• Link to a Vocabulary Chart
3. The Writing Portion
• This is the last section. The interviewer will ask you to handwrite three sentences in English. You must get at least one correct to pass the exam.

All that is left is the Civic Test. It covers history, geography, and other basic concepts.

Step Four: The Civic Test

This is the final requirement for citizenship. Out of 100 possible questions, you will have to answer 10. To pass, you must get at least 6/10 correct.

Here is a link with a Spanish guide to the Questions: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q_Spanish.pdf

Here is a link with an identical English guide: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf

NOTE: If you wish, you can compare the English and Spanish answers side by side. They are exactly the same, so it is easy to match the Spanish words with the English words.

Step 5. The Ceremony

Congratulations! This is the final step. After your interview, you will be assigned a date and location for your swearing-in ceremony. You will also receive Form N-445, which you must fill out prior to the ceremony.

NOTE: If you cannot attend, return your Form N-445 to the local USCIS office. Ask to reschedule your ceremony. If you consistently fail to attend a ceremony, your application will be rejected.

What Happens During The Ceremony

1. Going To The Local USCIS office

1. Enter the building and check in with an official. Make sure your Form N-445 is completed prior to the ceremony.

2. Giving Up Your Permanent Residence ID

1. Bring this ID with you prior to the ceremony. Turn it in to one of the officials.

3. Oath of Allegiance Ceremony

1. This is when the actual ceremony begins. During this, you will have to recite an Oath of Allegiance in the presence of a U.S. judge. You don't have to memorize anything; a script will be provided for you to read off of.
2. After this, you will finally receive your Certificate of Naturalization. With that, you have become a U.S. citizen!