Citizenship and Naturalization Services1

Citizenship and Naturalization Services

According to USCIS, citizenship is a unique bond that unites people around civic ideals and a belief in the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

There may be different ways to obtain citizenship. Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Acquisition of citizenship is obtained through :

U.S. citizenship parents either at birth or after birth, but before the age of 18.
Refugee, and asylee after five hears of becoming Lawful Permanent Resident

However, the process of becoming a citizen of the United States is becoming increasingly complex, lengthy and expensive. Years back, the N-400 citizenship application was just 4 pages long and the government filing fee was $15. It took about 90 days to get an interview. Today, the N-400 form is 20-pages long with 18 pages of instructions. The government filing is $725.

It is our intention here to simplify the process so that immigrants are able to understand the requirements and the process of becoming American citizens.

Below you will find articles and links explaining who is eligible for naturalization as well as the application procedures. We link to an online, self-correcting history and government test.

Be a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 5 years, or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen for a minimum of the 3 years (although there are certain exceptions to this requirement for persons who have honorable service in the U.S. Armed Forces);
Be physically present in the United States for over 50% of the required residency period;
Be a person of good moral character;
Take an oath of loyalty to the United States;
Be able to speak, read and write simple words and phrases in the English language (although there are certain exceptions to this rule); and
Pass a test in US history and government.

Once you become a citizen of the United States, you may sponsor your spouse, parents, sons and daughters as well as your brothers and sisters for lawful permanent residence in the U.S.

In general, the process includes the following steps:

Determine if you are already a U.S. citizen.
Determine your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen.
Prepare Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Go to the biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment, if applicable.
Complete the interview.
Receive a decision from USCIS on your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Receive a notice to take the Oath of Allegiance.
Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
Understand your rights and responsibilities as a U.S. citizen.

Be mindful that at your naturalization interview, you should bring the applicable items listed below with you. If you fail to submit the required documents, you may be found ineligible for naturalization and your application may be denied. Please do not bring any children or other family members. Be on time for your interview – rescheduling will cause delays in processing your case.

All Documents Must be Original or Certified

Documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a translation in English. The translator must certify that he/she is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate. Keep in mind that these are general checklists. Since each case is unique, documents which are not listed may be required by the interviewing officer. Also, remember to keep copies of all documents you bring to your naturalization interview for your own records.

Documents Required for Naturalization Interviews

Your alien registration card.
Photo identification (state driver’s license or state identification card).
Your passport(s) and any travel documents issued by the USCIS.
Copies of recent years' tax returns, correspondence relating to payment arrangements, and returns for which you claimed to be a non-resident.

If you have ever been arrested, you must bring complete arrest report(s), certified court disposition(s), probation report(s) (if applicable), including records that may have been sealed or expunged. If a record or document is no longer available, you must submit documentation from the appropriate agency as to its unavailability.

If you are a male and between the ages of 18 and 31, bring proof that you registered with the Selective Service System between the ages of 18 and 26.

If you failed to register with the Selective Service System before you reached age 26, you must do the following:

Request and complete the Selective Service System’s questionnaire form. Answer the questions fully, make a copy, and return the form to the Selective Service System.
You will then receive an advisory letter from the Selective Service. 3. Bring a copy of the questionnaire and the advisory to your interview. Selective Service System telephone number: 1-847-688-6888 or 1-847-688-2576.)

If you are unable to take the full oath of allegiance, bring a letter from your church explaining how your religious beliefs prevent you from taking the full oath.

If you have minor children residing outside of your home, bring evidence of your payment of financial support, such as canceled checks, money order receipts and bank drafts showing your payment record, along with copies of any court or government orders relating to the required payment.

Additional Documents for Cases Based on Marriage

Proof that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for more than three years, such as birth certificate, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, or U.S. passport.
Your marriage certificate.
Proof of termination of ALL prior marriages of both you and your spouse (if any).
Evidence of bona fide marriage, such as (but not limited to) lease agreements or homeownership documents, joint bank and credit accounts, joint tax returns, proof of joint ownership of other property such as investments, automobiles, life insurance, health insurance.
Birth certificates of your children.

Exemption for the English Language Requirements

If you are over 50 years of age and have been a lawful permanent resident for more than 20 years, OR if you are over 55 years of age and have been a lawful permanent resident for more than 15 years, you may have your naturalization interview in your native language. Please bring an interpreter with proper identification.

If you are over 65 years of age and have been a lawful permanent resident for more than 20 years, you will be eligible for the abbreviated history and government examination which may be conducted in your native language. Please bring an interpreter with proper identification if you require the examination to be conducted in your native language.

If you are permanently disabled, and the disability prevents you from fulfilling the requirements of Sec. 312 of the INA, you may also be exempt from the history and government examination and/or the literacy requirements. You must bring to your interview the medical certification Form N-648. The form must be completed in its entirety with a detailed explanation for each applicable question.

Question #3 must include the origin, nature, and extent of your medical condition as it relates to the disability exceptions. The doctor or psychologist must describe in detail how your medical condition prevents you from fulfilling the requirements of Sec. 312 of the INA. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in the rejection of Form N-648 and will result in a delay in the adjudication of your application for naturalization.

Sample Questions 1-100

Q: What are the colors of our flag?
A: Red, White, and Blue;
Q: How many stars are there in our flag?
A: Fifty (50);
Q: What color are the stars on our flag?
A: White;
Q: What do the stars on the flag signify?
A: There is one for each state in the United States;
Q: How many stripes are there on the flag?
A: Thirteen (13);
Q: What color are the stripes on the flag?
A: Red and White;
Q: What do the stripes on the flag signify?
A: They represent the original 13 states;
Q: How many states are there in the U.S.?
A: Fifty (50);
Q: What is the 4th of July?
A: Independence Day;
Q: What is the date of Independence Day?
A: July 4th;
Q: From what country did the U.S. win independence?
A: Great Britain;
Q: What country did we fight during the revolutionary War?
A: Great Britain;
Q: Who was the first President of the United States?
A: George Washington;
Q: Who is the President of the United States today?
A: Donald Trump;
Q: Who is the Vice President of the United States today?
A: Mike Pence;
Q: Who elects the president of the United States?
A: The electoral college;
Q: Who becomes the president of the U.S. if the president should die?
A: The vice president;
Q: For how long do we elect the President?
A: Four years;
Q: What is the Constitution?
A: The supreme law of the land;
Q: Can the Constitution be changed?
A: Yes, by amendment;
Q: What do we call a change to the Constitution?
A: Amendment;
Q: How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?
A: Twenty seven (27);
Q: How many branches are there in the U.S. government?
A: Three (3);
Q: What are the three branches of the U.S. government?
A: Legislative, executive, and judicial;
Q: What is the legislative branch of our government?
A: Congress;
Q: Who makes the laws in the United States?
A: Congress;
Q: What are the two houses of Congress?
A: The Senate and the House of Representatives;
Q: What are the duties of Congress?
A: To make laws;
Q: Who elects Congress?
A: The people;
Q: How many Senators are there in the U.S. Congress?
A: One hundred (100);
Q: Name the two U.S. Senators from your state.
A: (It’s time for a little research on your part!)
Q: For how long do we elect each Senator?
A: Each term is 6 years;
Q: How many voting Representatives are there in the House of Representatives?
A: Four hundred and thirty five (435);
Q: For how long do we elect the Representatives?
A: Two years;
Q: What is the executive branch of the U.S. government?
A: The president, cabinet, and the departments under the cabinet members;
Q: What is the judicial branch of the U.S. government?
A: The Federal Courts;
Q: What are the duties of the Supreme Court;
A: To interpret laws;
Q: What is the supreme law of the United States?
A: The Constitution;
Q: What is the Bill of Rights?
A: The first 10 amendments of the Constitution;
Q: What is the capital of your state?
A: (It depends on which state you live in.)
Q: Who is the current Governor of your state?
A: (Ditto)
Q: If both the President and the Vice President die, who becomes president?
A: The Speaker of the House of Representatives;
Q: Who is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
A: John Roberts;
Q: Name the thirteen original states.
A: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Maryland;
Q: Who said “give me liberty or give me death”?
A: Patrick Henry;
Q: Which countries were our enemies during WWII?
A: Germany, Italy, and Japan;
Q: What were the 49th and 50th states admitted to the U.S.?
A: Hawaii and Alaska;
Q: How many terms can a president serve?
A: Two;
Q: Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.?
A: A famous civil rights leader;
Q: Who is the head of your local government?
A: (It depends on where you live.)
Q: According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become president. Name one of these requirements.
A: Must be a native born citizen of the United States. Must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve. Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.
Q: Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate?
A: There are two from each state;
Q: Who nominates the Supreme Court justices?
A: They are nominated by the President;
Q: How many Supreme Court Justices are there?
A: Nine (9);
Q: Why did the Pilgrims come to America?
A: For religious freedom;
Q: What is the head executive of a state government called?
A: Governor;
Q: What is the head executive of a city government called?
A: Mayor;
Q: What holiday was started by the American Colonists?
A: Thanksgiving;
Q: Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
A: Thomas Jefferson;
Q: When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
A: July 4, 1776;
Q: What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence?
A: That all men are created equal;
Q: What is the national anthem of the United States?
A: The Star-Spangled Banner;
Q: Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner?
A. Francis Scott Key;
Q: Where does the freedom of speech come from?
A: The Bill of Rights;
Q: What is the minimum voting age in the United States?
A: Eighteen (18);
Q: Who signs bills into law?
A: The President;
Q: What is the highest court in the United States?
A: The Supreme Court;
Q: Who was the president during the Civil War?
A: Abraham Lincoln;
Q: What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
A: It freed the slaves;
Q: What special group advises the president?
A: The cabinet;
Q: Which president is called the “Father of our Country”?
A: George Washington;
Q: What INS form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?
A: Form N-400;
Q: Who helped the Pilgrims in America?
A: Native American Indians;
Q: The first Pilgrims sailed to America in what ship?
A: The Mayflower;
Q: What were the 13 original states of the United States called?
A: The colonies;
Q: Name three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
A: Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion;
Q: Who has the power to declare war?
A: The Congress;
Q: Name an amendment that guarantees or addresses voting rights.
A: The 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments;
Q: Which president freed the slaves?
A: Abraham Lincoln;
Q: In what year was the Constitution written?
A: 1787;
Q: What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?
A: The Bill of Rights;
Q: Name one purpose of the United Nations.
A: To try to resolve world problems;
Q: Where does Congress meet?
A: In the Capitol in Washington, D.C.;
Q: Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
A: Everyone living in the U.S. (Citizens and non-citizens);
Q: What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
A: The Preamble;
Q: Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States.
A: Vote; Serve on a jury; Obtain federal government jobs; travel with a U.S. passport; petition for close relatives to come to the U.S. to live;
Q: What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens?
A: The right to vote;
Q: What is the United States Capitol?
A: The place where Congress meets;
Q: What is the White House?
A: The President’s official home;
Q: Where is the White House located?
A: Washington, D.C.;
Q: What is the name of the president’s official home?
A: The White House;
Q: Name one right guaranteed by the first amendment.
A: Freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and requesting change of the government;
Q: Who is the commander in chief of the United States?
A: The President;
Q: Who was the first commander in chief of the U.S. Military?
A: George Washington;
Q: In what month do we vote for the president?
A: November;
Q: In what month is the new president inaugurated?
A: January;
Q: How many times may a congressman be re-elected?
A: There are no term limits;
Q: How many times may a senator be re-elected?
A: There are no term limits;
Q: What are the two major political parties in the United States?
A: Republican and Democrat;
Q: How many states are there in the United States?
A: Fifty (50).

What to Expect When You Contact Us?

Human Rights Advocates

Order for Restoring Peace on Earth (ORPE)

Light Shiner in the Midst of Darkness

Defending Human Dignity

Intervening wherever human dignity is compromised; wherever fundamental rights are impaired; and taking action in whatever comes at our disposition.

Tel: 410-807-3874

Citizenship and Naturalization Services

Sample Questions 1-100