Will
USCIS provide special accommodations for me if I am disabled?
Some people with disabilities need special consideration during the
naturalization process. USCIS will make every effort to make reasonable
accommodations in these cases. For example, if you use a wheelchair,
we will make sure your fingerprint location is wheelchair accessible.
If you are hearing impaired and wish to bring a sign language interpreter
to your interview, you may do so. Asking for an accommodation will
not affect your eligibility for naturalization. USCIS makes decisions
about making accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
How can I pay my application fee?
You must pay your application fee with a check or money order drawn
on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars payable to USCIS. You must send your
fee with your application. Remember that your application fee is not
refundable even if you withdraw your application or USCIS denies your
case.
How long will it take to become naturalized?
The time it takes to be naturalized varies from one local office
to another. USCIS reported that it
takes, on average, between 6 and 9 months to become naturalized.
Where can I be fingerprinted?
After USCIS has received your application, we will notify you of
the location where you should get fingerprinted.
What if I cannot make it to my scheduled interview?
It is very important not to miss your interview. If you have to miss
your interview, you should notify the office where your interview
is scheduled by mail as soon as possible. In your letter, you should
ask to have your interview rescheduled. Rescheduling an interview
may add several months to the naturalization
process, so try not to change your original interview date. If
an emergency arises and you absolutely cannot make your appointment,
call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 to request
rescheduling. The NCSC will record the information, and pass it on
to the local office, which will make the final decision whether to
reschedule your appointment. If you miss your scheduled interview
without notifying USCIS, USCIS will administratively close your case.
Unless you contact USCIS to schedule a new interview within
1 year after USCIS closes your case, USCIS will deny your application.
USCIS will not notify you if we close your case because you missed
your interview.
When does my time as a permanent resident begin?
Your time as a permanent resident(green
card holder)begins on the date you were granted permanent resident
status. This date is on your Permanent Resident Card, known as Alien
Registration Card.
If I have been convicted of a crime but my record has been expunged,
do I need to indicate that on my application or tell an immigration
officer?
Yes. You should always be honest with INS regarding all:
- Arrests, including those by police, Immigration Officers, and
other Federal Agents.
- convictions, even if they have been expunged.
- crimes you have committed for which you were not arrested or
convicted.
Even if you have committed a minor crime, Immigration may deny your
application if you do not tell the Immigration officer about the incident.
It is extremely important that you tell INS
about any arrest even if someone else has advised you that you are
not required to do so.
If USCIS grants me naturalization, when will I become a citizen?
You become a citizen as soon as you take the Oath of Allegiance to
the United States. In some places, you can choose to take the Oath
the same day as your interview. If that option is not available or
if you prefer a ceremony at a later date, USCIS will notify you of
the ceremony date with a Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony.
What should I do if I cannot go to my oath ceremony?
If you cannot go to the oath ceremony, you should return the Notice
of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, Form N-445, that USCIS sent to you.
You should send the N-445 back to your local office. Include a letter
saying why you cannot go to the ceremony. Make a copy of the notice
and your letter before you send them to USCIS. Your local office will
reschedule you and send you a new Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony,
Form N-445, to tell you when your ceremony will be.
What can I do if USCIS denies my application?
There is an administrative review process for those who are denied
naturalization. If you feel that you have been wrongly denied naturalization,
you may request a hearing with an immigration officer. Your denial
letter will explain how to request a hearing and will include the
form you need. The form for filing an appeal is the Request for Hearing
on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings under Section 336 of the
Act, Form N-336.
Can I reapply for naturalization if USCIS denies my application?
In many cases, you may reapply. If you reapply, you will need to
complete and resubmit a new N-400 and pay the fee again. You will
also need to have your fingerprints and photographs taken again. If
your application is denied, the denial letter should indicate the
date you may reapply for citizenship. If you are denied because you
failed the citizenship test, you may reapply
for naturalization as soon as you want. You should reapply whenever
you believe you have learned enough English or civics to pass the
test.
What do I do if I have lost my Certificate of Naturalization? What
do I use as proof of citizenship if I do not have my certificate?
You may get a new Certificate of Naturalization by submitting an
Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, Form
N-565, to USCIS. Submit this form with the fee to your local USCIS
office. It may take up to 1 year for you to receive a new certificate.
If you have one, you may use your passport as evidence of citizenship
while you wait for a replacement certificate.
Related topics:
US immigration attorney directory.
US visa lottery.
