If you’re seeking U.S. citizenship and looking at the naturalization process, you already know the requirements and paperwork are highly detailed, often complex, and difficult to understand. There’s good news, however. The road to U.S. citizenship starts when you find the best immigration lawyers in Philadelphia, PA. Voloshen Law Firm P.C. has 16 years of successful industry experience, heavily focused on immigration services.
Untangling the Immigration Red Tape
The road to U.S. citizenship has specific steps. You’ll need to demonstrate good moral character, complete residency requirements, take both a civics and English test, and take an Oath of Allegiance. When you find the best immigration law firm, you won’t be going through things alone and potentially overlooking essential matters.
Voloshen Law guides you and also legally represents your interests throughout the naturalization process. If you are 18 years of age or older and a lawful permanent resident (a Green Card holder), you can apply for citizenship. You’ll need to live in the U.S. for 5 years as a Green Card holder, or 3 years if you are married to a citizen. Besides this, you need to reside in Pennsylvania for at least three months before starting the application process (Form 400)
What’s On the Application?
When you work with Voloshen Law, the best immigration lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, you will receive information about each question on Form 400. You can ask questions and discuss any answers you feel uncertain about.
At the outset, you’ll need to gather your marriage certificate if applicable, and your naturalization certificate. Here are some of the question topics that the application includes:
- Personal information – your legal name, any name changes or variations. By the way, if you want to change your name during naturalization, you can request one.
- Gender
- Date of Birth. Also, the date you became a permanent resident
- Country of birth (or where they were last a citizen or national)
- Disabilities (documentation required)
- Height & weight
- Marital history – dates/divorce
- Children: Dates of birth (birth certificates)
- Employment history, IRS transcripts
- Schools attended
- Time outside the U.S: periods of more than 6 months are reviewed to be certain continuity of residence is not broken. An applicant out of the country for over one year must wait four years and one day to apply again
- Political affiliations
- Military issues
- Criminal records
- Previous deportation or removal
- Filing and paying taxes
- Arrests
Many of these questions are nuanced, meaning there are not always simple yes or no answers. That’s where you can let Voloshen Law’s Team take the driver’s seat on the road to U.S. Citizenship. We help you fill out the application and make sure you gather any supporting documents before filing. You want to do this once, and do it right.
What’s Next?
At this point, you move on to a Biometrics appointment. You’ll have fingerprints and photos taken, and sign off on a criminal background check. And you’re still not done (whew!).
There’s an interview for citizenship and a citizenship test. Basically, a USCIS officer reviews your application and asks questions. They also look at your documents. The test itself deals with U.S. history and being able to communicate in English.
At last, you’ll go to the Naturalization Ceremony. You will take the Oath of Allegiance. Then you get to swap your green card for a Certificate of Naturalization.
The Road to Citizenship with Voloshen Law
With Voloshen, you have a fantastic immigration law firm behind you. We work diligently to move along your citizenship application quickly. You can begin by scheduling a consultation. Alternatively, feel free to email igor@voloshenlaw.com or call our Philadelphia office at (215) 437-7854.