It is many people’s dream to get American citizenship, which is not surprising because it has various benefits. However, the path to citizenship is not a simple one. The legal process can be extremely tedious and make you run for your money. It is important to check whether you meet the eligibility criteria before you fill out the application form.
If you want to acquire US citizenship and are confused about the process, getting legal advice from an attorney can help. Although you can check for yourself if you qualify, an attorney can tell you things you may not know. When you encounter a legal issue, your attorney can help you clear it and set you on the path to attaining citizenship status.
Legal requirements for a US citizenship
- Should have lived in the United States.
To be eligible to apply for citizenship, the applicant must have resided in the country for at least five years immediately before applying. This ensures that the person has strong relations with the country and its culture and values the opportunities it provides them.
- Should have the authorization to live or work in the US.
The applicant must be authorized to work or live in the US, commonly indicated with a green card. A green card legally allows an individual to study, work or live in the United States. You must have retained the authorization for at least five years before applying for citizenship. However, if you are the spouse of a citizen, then the requirement is only three years.
- Should be of legal age, that is, 18.
The minimum legal age to apply for citizenship is 18 years. Anyone 18 years old and above can apply. The rule ensures that the person is mature enough to understand the laws and make decisions by themselves. However, there is an exception for people who have served in the military, in which case there is no minimum age.
- Should have lived in the district of application for at least three months.
The applicant should have lived in the district or state where they are filing the application form for at least three months. For example, if it has been only two weeks since you moved to a new state, you have to wait for a while. This is to ensure that the applicant has become familiar with the state’s specific laws.
- Should have a good moral character.
The applicant should have a good moral character, meaning that they should not have a history of convictions or be involved with badly reputed individuals. Talk to your attorney to know how you can prove moral character.
USA Today 