getting US citizenship aka naturalizing

[Nerva]

gonna send in my citizenship paper before the end of this week. what should i expect in terms of the process?

if i move before the process is finalized, do my papers get lost in the shuffle or _____?

anything i should look out for?

 

[GasX]

It will take somewhere between 6 months and 2 years. They will bring you in and depending on the office it will be a one step or two step process. I went through the one step process:

Interview
sit around for 2 hours
Sworn In

Some places make you come back to get sworn in.

 

[Nerva]

No written test?

 

[SpecialEd]

being married to a citizen helps.

 

[Aharami]

crap. this reminds me. I gotta file for citizenship also

 

[Nerva]

i am planning a move in the next 5 months, does that affect me in the process at all?

 

[Savij]

Moving won't affect the process itself but it'll make it a pain in your ass as far as getting paperwork sent to the correct address and such. I used my parent's address and had them checking mail for me since I was moving around so much during college.

 

[Nerva]

Originally posted by: Savij
Moving won't affect the process itself but it'll make it a pain in your ass as far as getting paperwork sent to the correct address and such. I used my parent's address and had them checking mail for me since I was moving around so much during college.

unfortunately that sh1t won't fly for me, since i am doing it behind my parents' back.

 

[Tobolo]

Your filing for citizenship behind your parents back? lol, will they be that upset if you become a citizen?

 

[archiloco]

changing addresses will basically screw everything up....sign up with the address you will be in 5 months somehow. it's fairly simple process.. apply and wait (like they said 6-24 months) go in talk to the INS officer, take a simple verbal test, write down 1 sentence in English, get your date to be sworn in, go to ceremony receive your certificate and be citizen.

 

[fitzov]

A little more info is needed--in what stage of the process are you? Are you in the country? What coutry are you emmigrating from? Do you have a visa now? What kind? Are you a permanent resident? etc. I am close with people who have immigrated, but I need more info.

 

[akubi]

mine took less than 6 months. there's supposed to be a short quiz during the one on one interview but they don't even bother to do that if you went to college in the US. basically, the toughest part is playing the waiting game.

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: 3cho

Originally posted by: Savij
Moving won't affect the process itself but it'll make it a pain in your ass as far as getting paperwork sent to the correct address and such. I used my parent's address and had them checking mail for me since I was moving around so much during college.

unfortunately that sh1t won't fly for me, since i am doing it behind my parents' back.

How far are you moving? Can you rent a mailbox or P.O. box during that time?

 

[Nerva]

just moving to NYC from Philadelphia, so a PO box will not work. *sigh*, maybe i should wait even longer?

 

[DaWhim]

don't send in your application if you are moving in 6 months. I sent it my application in feb this year, completed everything by july.

after you sent in your application, you will get your,
first letter for fingerprint
second letter after interview
after that, you will get your natualized cert when you take your oath in a ceremony.

 

[Nerva]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
don't send in your application if you are moving in 6 months. I sent it my application in feb this year, completed everything by july.

after you sent in your application, you will get your,
first letter for fingerprint
second letter after interview
after that, you will get your natualized cert when you take your oath in a ceremony.

yeah i guess you are right. but then i would have to wait an additional 3-months once i move.

 

[stogez]

I wouldnt send it in if you know you're going to be moving since that will just delay the process even more. Depending on what your visa status is, it takes anywhere from 4months to two years. If you and your family are here on immigration, it should take somewhere from 3-6 months. If you're here on work visa (doubtful since your family is here) it takes much longer.

 

[Reggae4k]

dont send in your application unless you can be at an address for at least 18 months in NYC. NYC has a 10 month list for naturalization. if you send it in and you change your address, you can basically say goodbye to the 400 dollar filing fee.

 

[GasX]

Oh, and they ask you a "trick" question in either the test or the interview.

What form of government is the USA?

wrong answer: a democracy
correct answer: a republic (or democratic republic)

 

[Nerva]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Oh, and they ask you a "trick" question in either the test or the interview.

What form of government is the USA?

wrong answer: a democracy
correct answer: a republic (or democratic republic)

i would have answered representative democracy, which is the model that it was founded on. maybe it would have been wrong.

 

[AnyMal]

The entire process from sending my application to being sworn in took me about 6 months. Here are the steps you'll be going through:

1. Send application
2. Recieve a notice that application has been received.
3. Have your fingerprints taken
4. Interview / history / English exam
5. Final decision letter
6. Swearing in ceremony

 

[gleong]

If you want to play it safe, you should submit your paperwork AFTER you move.

Steps:
1. Send application to Service Center with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
2. Service Center processes application, send you a Fingerprint Appointment
3. You get your fingerprints taken
4. Your interview is scheduled, appointment notice mailed to you
5. Your file is forwarded to your local office for interview
6. Interview/Exam
7. Await decision
8. Swearing in

As said above, depending on your local office, this process ranges from 6months-2 years.

Should you submit a change of address before Step 2, you should be ok.

If you submit a change of address between Step 2 and 3, you should be ok as long as you receive your Fingerprint Appointment and get your fingerprints taken. Otherwise, it will be delayed and won't move forward until you do step 3.

If you submit a change of address at ANY point after Step 4, you will very likely delay your case by at least a few months.

How?

For example, lets say you didn't receive the Interview Appointment and miss it. It can take time to reschedule, or worse case scenario, your application gets closed for failure to appear.

Or, if you submit your change after Step 5, and the local office receives it, they'll forward your file to your new local office in Philadelphia. You then wait for them to reschedule, etc.

Just hold on to your paperwork and mail it after you move, imo. It could save you time/money in the long run.