For many Florida residents, naturalization to become a U.S. citizen is a dream. If you are interested in taking the appropriate steps toward naturalization, you need to know what to expect.
Naturalization basics
For starters, naturalization is only needed if a person wasn’t born in the United States. The United States has “birthright” citizenship, meaning that anyone who is born in the United States is automatically a U.S. citizen. For others who travel to the United States to work and live, and who later then decide that they want to become a U.S. citizen, naturalization is the path to take.
One of the first steps to fulfill on the path toward naturalization is that the applicant for citizenship has lived legally in the United States for a certain period. This residency period must be continuous, meaning that the applicant did not spend extended periods in another country.
On top of that, applicants for naturalization must also show “good moral character” – a seemingly subjective standard that typically means that the applicant has not been convicted of any serious crimes while residing in America.
There are testing requirements in the application process as well. Applicants must show literacy and knowledge of the English language, and they must also know and understand basic historical and geographical facts about America and the country’s system of government and laws.
The process to become a U.S. citizen can seem daunting. But, if you are interested in naturalization, be sure to get the right information about your own unique situation before you start the application process.
