Many Floridians who are lawful permanent residents desire United States citizenship and all the rights and benefits that come with being a citizen, including the right to vote. To become a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident must go through the naturalization process. However, the process is not always easy. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements, complete an application, attend an interview, and take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
What are the eligibility requirements?
For a lawful permanent resident to be eligible for citizenship, they must meet certain criteria. These requirements include:
- Age: Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency: Applicant must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years, or at least three years if married to a U.S. citizen.
- Physical presence: Applicant must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half of the required period, which is typically five years.
- Character: Applicant must show good moral character typically for the five years leading up to the application.
- Knowledge: Applicant must pass a test on U.S. history, government, and English, unless they meet the criteria for an exemption.
What is the application process?
Once a permanent resident is sure they are eligible to apply for citizenship, they may proceed with the actual application. The application process is generally as follows:
- Fill out Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
- Pay required fees and include all necessary documentation with the application.
- Attend a biometrics appointment for fingerprinting and other identification tests.
- Attend a scheduled interview with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to answer questions regarding the application.
Following a review of the application, the USCIS will decide whether the applicant’s application for citizenship will be approved. If approved, the applicant will attend a naturalization ceremony and take the oath of allegiance. The applicant will then officially be a citizen of the United States.