Are you, your spouse, child, or fiance eligible for naturalization?

To be eligible for naturalization, a person must first be a lawful permanent resident. He or she must be at least 18 years old at the time of applying for citizenship. There are special rules about the naturalization of minor children. Contact Indianapolis immigration attorney Tiffany Vivo for details on exemptions and exceptions for minors.

A person seeking naturalization must also reside in the United States for a continuous period before filing the application for naturalization. If the person is not married to a US citizen, they must live in the US for a continuous period of five years after legal admission to the US as a permanent resident. If a person is married to a US citizen, they must live in the United States for a continuous period of three years after legal admission to the United States as a permanent resident. And the person married to a US citizen must reside with their spouse for three years prior to the date of the applicant’s examination. The U.S. citizen spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for that entire time.

Residency is required for the three months immediately prior to filing the application for naturalization. Continuous residence in the United States is also required from the filing date until actual admission to citizenship.

The person must also be able to read, write, and speak common English, which is determined through oral and written tests administered by an immigration examiner during the naturalization interview. There are some exceptions to the language requirement.

The applicant must have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of US history and government, which is determined by taking a multiple-choice test. Generally, applicants who are exempt from the English requirement must meet this requirement. An application must be of good moral character and adhere to the principles of the United States Constitution.

To become a US citizen, call Indianapolis immigration attorney Tiffany Vivo at her law offices.