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Naturalization and Citizenship

NATURALIZATION and CITIZENSHIP

A. A lawful permanent resident who obtained his green card through marriage to a US Citizen may apply for naturalization and become a citizen after three years. The application package may be filed up to 90 days before the end of the three year period. The applicant must show that:

  1. He has resided in the United States for the 3 year period (with the exception of short vacation trips abroad); and
  2. He continues to live in “marital union” with his US citizen spouse; and
  3. Must still be married at the time of his naturalization ceremony, and
  4. He is of “good moral character” deserving of citizenship.

B. A lawful permanent resident who obtained his green card through other means such as employment, diversity visa lottery, asylum etc. may apply for naturalization and become a citizen after five years. The application package may be filed up to 90 days before the end of the five year period. The applicant must show that:

  1. He has resided in the United States for the 5 year period (with the exception of short vacation trips abroad); and
  2. He is of “good moral character” deserving of citizenship.

What is Good Moral Character and how do I prove it?

Pay your taxes and child support on time. Don’t break the law. It is within the government’s discretion to grant citizenship. There have been instances where an application has been denied because the permanent resident had an extramarital affair that destroyed an existing marriage.

Certain criminal convictions may bar even a long term permanent resident from becoming a citizen, and may even trigger deportation. If you have ever had any arrests, investigations, criminal convictions, appeared in court or any other police contact, you need to discuss these matters with an experienced immigration attorney before filing any application for naturalization.

At the Burchinow Immigration Law Firm we thoroughly review any criminal history to make sure you are eligible to naturalize.