Becoming a U.S. citizen gives you the right to vote, to travel on a U.S. passport and to sponsor more family members. It also means you no longer have to renew a green card. For green card holders in Virginia, the process looks like this.
Who can apply
Most people can apply after five years as a permanent resident. If you’ve been married to and living with a U.S. citizen, you may be able to apply after three years. You’ll also generally need:
- To have been physically in the U.S. for at least half of that time
- To have lived in Virginia, or the USCIS district where you apply, for at least three months before filing
- Good moral character, which looks at things like criminal history and paying taxes
- Basic English and knowledge of U.S. history and government
You can usually file up to 90 days before you reach the five-year or three-year mark.
The application
You apply with Form N-400. After filing, you’ll be scheduled for a fingerprint appointment so USCIS can run background checks.
The interview and tests
Your interview will usually be at a USCIS field office in Virginia. The officer will go over your application under oath and give you the English test and the civics test. USCIS publishes the civics study questions, so you can prepare ahead of time. If you don’t pass part of a test, you’ll usually get a second chance.
Be careful about your history
Some issues can cause problems, such as certain arrests or convictions, long trips abroad, unpaid taxes or past immigration violations. In some cases, applying can even put a green card at risk. If anything in your history worries you, have a lawyer review it before you file.
The oath ceremony
Once approved, you’ll take the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony. You become a citizen at that moment. Then you can apply for your U.S. passport and register to vote.
Our Fredericksburg office helps Virginia green card holders prepare for citizenship, from checking eligibility to getting ready for the interview. Call us at 703-649-4848.
