US Citizenship FAQs
	How long will it take to become naturalized? If I become a U.S. citizen, is my child automatically a citizen? If I am married to a U.S. citizen, will I automatically get U.S. Citizenship? Where do I file my U.S. citizenship application? Can I reapply for U.S. citizenship if the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denies my application? Do trips to outside of the U.S affect my eligibility for citizenship? What is the difference between "physical presence" and "continuous residence"? What do I do if my address has changed? Where will the citizenship interview be conducted? Where will the citizenship tests (civics and english tests) be held? What if I want to reschedule my fingerprinting or citizenship interview appointment? What should I do if I cannot attend my oath ceremony? How long will it take to become naturalized? Once you send your application, photographs and fees for filing with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), they take an average time of between 6 and 9 months to provide a decision on your application. If I become a U.S. citizen, is my child automatically a citizen? In most cases, your natural or adopted child is a citizen if the following are true: The other parent is also naturalized; or you are the only surviving parent (if the other parent is deceased); or you have legal custody (if you and the other parent are legally separated or divorced). The child was under 18 when the parent(s) naturalized. The child was not married when the parent(s) naturalized and the child was a permanent resident before his or her 18th birthday. If I am married to a U.S. citizen, will I automatically get U.S. Citizenship? Marriage to a U.S. citizen DOES NOT automatically confer U.S. citizenship under current U.S. law. Marriage (or engagement) to a U.S. citizen generally allows the alien spouse or fiancé(e) to apply for immigration to the U.S. as a permanent resident (what is commonly referred to as getting a "green card"). The alien spouse can then apply for U.S. citizenship after living in the U.S. for three years. Where do I file my U.S. citizenship application? LegalZoom will provide you with complete, easy to follow instructions on how and where to file your application. Can I reapply for U.S. citizenship if the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denies my application? In many cases, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows you to reapply. If you choose to reapply, you will need to Complete and resubmit a new application on form N-400. Pay the required U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fee. Have your fingerprints and photographs taken. (please note you will generally be required to repeat these steps each time you apply) If your application is denied, you will receive the denial letter that should indicate the date you may reapply for citizenship. If you are denied because you failed the english or civics test, you may reapply for citizenship as soon as you are ready to re-take the exams. Do trips to outside of the U.S affect my eligibility for citizenship? Depending upon the basis of your eligibility for citizenship, "continuous residence" is an important requirement for naturalization. Continuous residence means that you have not left the United States for a long period of time. If you leave the United States for an extended period of time, you may interrupt your "continuous residence." (For example, "continuous residence" may be broken if you take a single trip out of the country that lasts for 6 months or more). What is the difference between "physical presence" and "continuous residence"? Physical presence" involves the total number of days you were outside the United States on all of your trips. "Continuous residence" involves the number of days you were outside the United States during any single trip. Even if you never took a trip that was long enough to disrupt your "continuous residence," you may have taken so many short trips that you do not meet the "physical presence" requirement.citizenship7 How do I find out the status of my U.S. citizenship application?"You may do a status check by calling the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if the following situation applies: 1. If your application is pending for longer than the processing time projected on any receipt, and you have not recently received any type of notice or update from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you can call one of the Service Centers. If you have a receipt, please have it with you when you call because you can receive an automated update on the status of your application using your receipt number. The automated system also provides information about Service Center mailing addresses, hours, service areas, and forms. The customer service telephone number is the same for all of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Service Centers through one call center (800) 375-5283. For more Information about the Service Centers, and about each office's address, hours and local procedures can be found at www.uscis.gov. Writing to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): While calling can be more convenient, you may instead choose to request an update by writing the Service Center. If you write, please provide the following in your letter: Your current name and address, and, if different, your name as it appears on your application. Any A-number, which is an 8 or 9 digit number following the letter "A", assigned to you or to your application. Your date of birth. The date and place where your application was filed. Any receipt number from any receipt notice issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for your application. If you have received a copy of the most recent notice sent to you by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your case you may include that also. The date and office where you were fingerprinted and where you were interviewed, if applicable. Sign your request, or, if you are preparing the request for the applicant, have him or her sign the request. Please mark your envelope: ATTN: Status Inquiry. What do I do if my address has changed? It is important that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have your latest address. Otherwise, you may not receive important U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) information, or the information could be delayed. For example, they may not be able to notify you about the date and time of your interview or about additional documents you may need to send or bring. If you move after you file your application for citizenship, call the National Customer Service Center's (NSC) toll-free telephone number at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY: 1-800-767-1833) to report your address change. You should also notify the U.S. Postal Service of your new address to help ensure that any mail already on its way will be forwarded to you. Where will the citizenship interview be conducted? U.S. citizenship applicants have the option of being tested on English literacy and knowledge of U.S History and Government at an Application Support Center (ASC) or other USCIS supervised location before they can attend the naturalization interview. Applicants who have not completed their tests before they appear for the citizenship interview will be asked to take the tests during the interview. In this case, the same USCIS official who will be conducting the interview will conduct the test during the interview. Where will the citizenship tests (civics and english tests) be held? The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will send you a notice in the mail advising you of when and where you must appear for your interview. It will usually be conducted at the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office having jurisdiction over the area where you live. What if I want to reschedule my fingerprinting or citizenship interview appointment? If you cannot attend the original appointment, you must request a rescheduling. You can do so by calling the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) National Customer Service Center (NSC) at 1-800-375-5283. The NSC will record the information and then pass it on to the local office, which will make the final decision on whether to reschedule an appointment. What should I do if I cannot attend my oath ceremony? If you are unable to attend the oath ceremony, you should return the "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony" that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sent you, along with a letter explaining why you cannot attend the ceremony. Your local office will reschedule you and send you a new "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony" to advise you of your new ceremony date. Point of origin credit for this file is given to LegalZoom.com, Inc., a registered and bonded legal document assistant, #0104, Los Angeles County. LegalZoom.com is not a law firm and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.