Citizenship & Naturalization

Naturalization is the final step of a long journey, and for many people it is also the most nerve-racking. You have held your green card for years, and now you are asked to fill out a long form, prove where you have lived and traveled, answer questions about your background, and pass tests in a language that may not be your first. Lincy Thomas, licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 2008, has walked many Irving and Dallas-Fort Worth residents through Form N-400 from first review to the oath ceremony.

This service is for lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who are ready to become U.S. citizens, along with parents who want to confirm or document a child's citizenship. Whether you qualify under the general 5-year rule, the 3-year rule for spouses of U.S. citizens, or a special provision such as service in the U.S. armed forces, we look at your full history first so there are no surprises at the interview.

Who can apply, and when

Most applicants qualify after holding lawful permanent resident status for five years. If you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, you may be able to apply after three years. Members and certain veterans of the U.S. armed forces have their own rules that can shorten or remove some requirements. You can generally file Form N-400 up to 90 days before you complete the required residence period.

Beyond the calendar, USCIS looks at continuous residence and physical presence. Long trips abroad, especially those of six months or more, can break continuous residence and delay eligibility, so travel history matters. We review your passport stamps and travel dates before you file, not after.

• General rule: 5 years as a lawful permanent resident
• Spouse of a U.S. citizen: 3 years, if married and living together the whole time
• You must have been physically present in the U.S. for a required portion of that period
• Extended trips abroad can interrupt continuous residence
• Most applicants must have lived at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where they apply

Good moral character, English, and civics

Naturalization requires good moral character during the relevant period, usually the three or five years before filing, though USCIS can look further back. Arrests, certain tax issues, missed child support, and some immigration history can raise questions. If any of these apply to you, tell us early. Many situations are workable when handled honestly and prepared for, and it is far better to address them before filing than to be caught off guard at the interview.

Most applicants must show a basic ability to read, write, and speak English and must pass a civics test on U.S. history and government. There are important exceptions. The 50/20 rule (age 50 or older with 20 years as an LPR) and the 55/15 rule (age 55 or older with 15 years as an LPR) let you take the civics test in your own language with an interpreter and skip the English requirement. Applicants who are 65 or older with 20 years of residence get a shortened civics test. If a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment prevents you from meeting the English or civics requirement, Form N-648 completed by a licensed medical professional may waive it.

• Good moral character is judged over the statutory period and sometimes beyond
• English reading, writing, and speaking, plus a civics test, for most applicants
• 50/20 and 55/15 applicants are exempt from the English requirement only; the civics test is still required and may be taken in your preferred language with an interpreter
• 65/20 applicants take a reduced set of civics questions
• Form N-648 medical disability exception where a qualifying condition applies

How the firm helps, including mock interviews

We do more than file paperwork. We build your N-400 around your actual travel, residence, tax, and background history, gather the supporting documents, and flag anything that could come up before USCIS sees it. If a disability exception or an age-based exemption applies to you, we prepare and support that request with the right documentation.

Because the interview is what most people worry about, we hold mock interviews. We sit across from you the way the officer will, walk through the N-400 questions line by line, practice the English and civics portions, and get you comfortable answering out loud. By the day of your real interview, the room feels familiar and the questions are ones you have already answered.

Citizenship for children (N-600) and derived citizenship

Some children are already U.S. citizens without ever filing an N-400. A child who is a lawful permanent resident may automatically acquire or derive citizenship when a parent naturalizes, generally if the child is under 18 and living in the parent's legal and physical custody. Children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents may have acquired citizenship at birth. In these cases, Form N-600 requests a Certificate of Citizenship as proof of a status the child already holds.

Confirming a child's citizenship now can save real trouble later with passports, financial aid, and employment. If you are not sure whether your child already became a citizen through your naturalization or through a parent, we can trace the family and immigration history and tell you which document, if any, you need.

Dual citizenship and common timing pitfalls

U.S. law does not require you to give up your existing nationality to become a U.S. citizen. Many of our clients hold dual citizenship. Whether your home country allows it is a separate question governed by that country's law, and we can point you to the right questions to ask, though the final answer comes from that country.

The most common problems we see are avoidable: filing during a trip that broke continuous residence, an unresolved arrest that surfaces at the interview, a name or address history that does not match the record, or a green card renewal that was overlooked. Reviewing all of this before you file is the single best way to keep your case moving.

Your naturalization timeline, step by step

1. Eligibility and history review

   We confirm which rule you qualify under, review your travel, residence, tax, and background history, and identify anything that needs attention before filing.

2. Prepare and file Form N-400

   We complete your application accurately, assemble supporting documents, and file it with USCIS. If an N-648 disability exception or an age-based exemption applies, we prepare that as well.

3. Biometrics appointment

   USCIS takes your fingerprints and photo for the background check. We tell you what to bring and what to expect at the appointment.

4. Interview and testing, with mock practice

   Before your interview, we run a full mock interview and practice the English and civics tests. At the real interview, an officer reviews your N-400 and administers the tests.

5. Oath ceremony

   Once approved, you take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. At that point you are a U.S. citizen and can apply for a U.S. passport.

Common questions about naturalization