Naturalization / U.S. Citizenship (N-400)

Become a United States citizen and secure the full rights and protections that come with it. We review your eligibility, prepare your N-400, and get you ready for the civics interview.

What Naturalization Is and What It Means for Your Future

Naturalization is the legal process through which a lawful permanent resident becomes a full citizen of the United States. Once approved, a naturalized citizen holds the same rights as any U.S.-born citizen, including the right to vote, hold a U.S. passport, and petition for a wider range of family members. If you have held your green card for several years and are ready to take this step, working with a citizenship attorney Arlington VA ensures your application reflects your full eligibility and contains no avoidable errors.

The process involves filing Form N-400, passing a civics and English language test, and attending a formal interview at a USCIS office. While many applicants assume naturalization is straightforward once they have had their green card long enough, the eligibility rules involve several conditions beyond just the five-year residency requirement. An immigration attorney reviews your travel history, tax records, criminal background, and overall compliance with permanent residency obligations before your application goes in.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for U.S. Citizenship

You may be eligible to file Form N-400 if you meet one of the following sets of conditions:

Five-year general path:

You have held a green card for at least five years
You have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months of those five years
You have not taken any single trip abroad that lasted 6 months or more
You have maintained continuous residence in the United States

Three-year path for spouses of U.S. citizens:

You have been a lawful permanent resident for at least three years
You have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse for all three years
Your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the full three-year period

Additional eligibility conditions for all applicants:

You are at least 18 years old
You can read, write, and speak basic English
You are a person of good moral character with no disqualifying criminal history
You are willing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States

Important Note: about travel outside the U.S.: Trips abroad that lasted six months or more may have broken your continuous residence, which can restart the clock on your eligibility. Justin reviews your travel history carefully so you know exactly where you stand before you file.

How the Naturalization Process Works

The path to a U.S. citizenship certificate follows a clear sequence of government steps. Here is the full process from application to oath:

1

Confirm your eligibility

Justin reviews your green card history, physical presence records, travel history, and background to confirm you are ready to apply without risk.

2

Prepare and file Form N-400

Justin completes your naturalization application and submits it to USCIS with the required fees and supporting documents.

3

Complete biometrics

USCIS schedules an appointment to collect your fingerprints and photograph for a background check.

4

Receive your interview notice

USCIS assigns your case to a local office and sends you an appointment letter for the civics and English interview.

5

Attend the naturalization interview

You meet with a USCIS officer who tests your English ability and asks you up to 10 of the 100 official civics questions. You must answer at least 6 correctly.

6

Take the Oath of Allegiance

After approval, you attend a ceremony where you formally take the oath and receive your certificate of naturalization.

The Naturalization Interview and Civics Test

English Language Assessment

The officer evaluates your ability to read, write, and speak English during the interview itself. You will read a sentence aloud, write a sentence the officer dictates, and answer questions in English throughout the appointment.

Civics Examination

USCIS uses a list of 100 official civics questions covering American history, government structure, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The officer asks up to 10 questions from this list. You must answer at least 6 correctly to pass.

Review of Your N-400 Answers

The officer goes through your application line by line and asks you to confirm or clarify specific answers. Inconsistencies between what you wrote and what you say during the interview can trigger additional scrutiny.

Justin's Preparation Process

Justin provides you with study materials for the civics test, walks you through the questions the officer is likely to ask about your application, and explains what happens if you need a second attempt.

What Changes When You Become a U.S. Citizen

Naturalization is not just a formality. It comes with meaningful practical advantages that a green card cannot provide.

A U.S. passport removes the travel restrictions that permanent residents face. You can travel freely without worrying about long trips affecting your residency status. You can also sponsor a broader range of family members, including parents and siblings, and your immediate relatives do not face the same lengthy visa backlogs that permanent residents deal with.

Citizens cannot be deported for most criminal convictions the way permanent residents can. Citizenship is permanent and does not need to be renewed. If you have children who were born abroad after you became a permanent resident, they may automatically acquire citizenship once you naturalize. Justin explains whether your children are covered and what steps apply to them.

Your Attorney

Working Directly With Justin

Justin Kadich reviews and files every naturalization case at American Dream Immigration himself. When you call the office, you talk to Justin. He handles your N-400 application from the eligibility check all the way through the oath ceremony without passing your case to a junior staff member. Naturalization applications that raise questions about continuous residence, extended absences, or criminal history require careful handling before they reach USCIS. Justin identifies and addresses anything in your background that could lead to a denial so you do not spend months waiting for an outcome that could have been avoided.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for citizenship after filing the N-400?

Processing times at the Arlington USCIS field office typically range from 8 to 14 months from the filing date to the oath ceremony. Delays are more common when the background check or the interview raises questions that need additional review.

What happens if I fail the civics test at my interview?

If you fail the English or civics test, USCIS schedules a second attempt within 60 to 90 days. If you fail the second attempt, your application is denied. Justin prepares you so thoroughly that most clients pass on the first try.

Can I keep my original citizenship when I become a U.S. citizen?

The United States does not formally recognise dual citizenship but also does not prohibit it. When you naturalise, you take an oath that includes renouncing allegiance to foreign states. Whether your original country allows you to retain that citizenship is a question governed by your home country’s laws, not U.S. law.

Do I need to file U.S. taxes to be eligible for naturalization?

Yes. Good moral character is a requirement for citizenship, and the government reviews your tax compliance as part of that assessment. If you have unfiled returns or outstanding tax debts, Justin recommends resolving those before submitting the N-400.

Can I travel internationally while my N-400 is pending?

Yes, but you should be cautious. Short trips are generally fine, but leaving for six months or more can disrupt your continuous residence requirement and put your application at risk. Notify Justin of any planned travel so he can advise you before you book your flights.

Take the Final Step Toward Full Citizenship

You have built a life here. Becoming a U.S. citizen protects everything you have worked for and opens doors that a green card simply cannot. Justin Kadich helps permanent residents in Arlington and nearby communities complete the naturalization process without avoidable mistakes or unnecessary delays. Book a consultation with Justin to check your eligibility and start your citizenship application with a clear plan and direct attorney support from your first call to your oath ceremony.