When you become a citizen, you swear your allegiance to the United States and agree to be bound by its laws. It’s a big responsibility.
You’ll need to pass a test, attend an interview, and take the Oath of Allegiance at your naturalization ceremony. You’ll also need to provide documents and meet other requirements.
Rights
Citizenship comes with many rights that allow you to take part in the civic life of your country. It includes the right to vote, apply for federal jobs and government benefits, serve on a jury, and run for local and state offices.
In the United States, citizenship is based on two main rules: birth within a certain territory and descent from citizen parents. There are also other grounds for acquiring citizenship, including marriage and naturalization.
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship to all children born in the United States. This principle is sometimes referred to as “race-blind citizenship.” It is a strong legal basis for the rights of immigrants and has inspired activists around the world.
It also provides some protections from deportation and other issues. In addition, it allows you to travel freely back and forth between your home country and the United States without having to secure special visas.
Another important right is the ability to sponsor a family member for immigration. This is something that may not be available to you if you are a legal permanent resident (LPR).
As a citizen, you can apply for any government job and receive the same benefits as U.S.-born citizens, such as higher pay and better employment rates. You can also access social services and other public programs, including Medicare.
Although the process for becoming a citizen is lengthy and difficult, it is well worth the effort to achieve this goal. You will become a part of the history of the United States and have a voice in its future.
You’ll need to provide information on your past, current, and future lives, such as your parents, education, employment, time spent outside the United States while you have a green card, and whether you are married or in a relationship with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Finally, you’ll need to prove that you have good moral character and are not a danger to yourself or others. You can do this by submitting a background check and passing a test about the American government and history.
Responsibilities
Citizenship carries many benefits and rights that can enhance your life, but it also comes with certain responsibilities. Among them are voting, obeying the laws of the government and paying taxes.
Whether you are new to the country or have been living in the United States for years, being a citizen is an important step in becoming part of a community. Having the right to vote means that you are part of the democratic process and have a voice in politics.
In addition to this, you may have a number of other duties as a U.S. citizen, including serving on a jury during a trial in court and serving as a member of the military. While these responsibilities are not required, they are considered a necessary part of being a citizen.
Voting is one of the most important things that you can do to be a good citizen. You must take the time to research candidates and vote whenever an election is taking place in your state or country. This way, you can be sure that your vote is counted.
You also must pay all the taxes that you owe. This will help to keep your community safe and provide services.
It is also a duty of all citizens to be respectful of the rights, beliefs and opinions of others. This is because different people come from different backgrounds, have different cultures and religions and have their own views about what is important in the world.
These duties are important to maintain the integrity of your country and make it a better place for everyone to live in. In addition, they are necessary for maintaining the democratic process of government.
Despite the importance of these responsibilities, they do not rank particularly high on the list for young adults on their list of important characteristics for being a good citizen. For example, only 63% of those ages 18 to 29 say it is important to know the Pledge of Allegiance (38% very important), and 53% say it is important to display the American flag (19% very important).
Form N-400
The form N-400 is the official document that you must complete and submit to USCIS to become a citizen. It is the first step in the naturalization process and contains 50 questions (some with sub-questions) that ask a range of information about you and your background.
The application can be filled out on paper or electronically, depending on your preference. It is important to fill out the form accurately. Avoid changing the data on the form, as this can lead to errors and may cause your application to be rejected by USCIS.
You must answer all of the questions on Form N-400 completely and truthfully. If you answer a question incorrectly, you risk being deported or having your citizenship revoked. Be honest, and you will have the best chance of obtaining naturalization.
In addition to the N-400, you must submit several supporting documents. These include proof of your marital status, employment, self-employment, and military service. You also need to provide two 2-inch-by-2-inch passport-style photos if you are applying from abroad.
If you are filing on the basis of military service, fill out Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service. You must also submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.
Your citizenship interview will focus largely on the responses you give on Form N-400. It is crucial to review your answers before attending the interview.
Once you have completed your Form N-400, you must submit it to a designated address by mail or online. The mailing address is listed on the N-400 instructions page.
Before you mail your N-400, make a copy of it. This will help you in case it gets lost or destroyed during the processing of your naturalization application.
For additional details, you can visit the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website. There you can find out more about filing for naturalization, including estimated processing time and how to get a fee waiver or reduction.
The filing fees for the Form N-400 are currently $725, but you can ask for a fee reduction or waiver if you cannot afford it. You can also pay the fee by credit card.
Naturalization Ceremony
Become a Citizen
The process of becoming a citizen is one of the most important steps you take in your life. You have to fulfill a variety of requirements, including a period of residency within the United States, good moral character, and an understanding of the laws of the United States.
Once you are able to meet the naturalization requirements, USCIS will schedule a ceremony to administer the oath of allegiance. This is usually done through an administrative or judicial ceremony, depending on the location of your local USCIS office.
During this ceremony, you will stand up and raise your right hand to recite the United States Oath of Allegiance. This is the sworn statement that all naturalization applicants must recite in order to become citizens of the United States.
Some USCIS offices offer “same day” administrative oath ceremonies, where you can take the oath on the same day as your naturalization interview. However, if this is not available in your area, you will need to wait for a later date before taking the oath.
After your interview, you will receive a Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (Form N-445) in the mail. This letter will give you the name, address, and time of the ceremony. It will also include a questionnaire that asks you about changes in your eligibility for naturalization since the time of your interview.
You will need to complete this questionnaire and return it to the USCIS field office where you are scheduled for your oath ceremony. This is so that a USCIS officer can review your answers and ensure that you have not changed your status in any way.
When you are ready to take the oath, USCIS will give you a copy of the Oath of Allegiance. This will include the words “on oath” and “so help me God”.
During your ceremony, you will take the Oath of Allegiance to reaffirm that you are now an American citizen and that you will support the Constitution of the United States and its laws. You will also renounce your previous foreign allegiances and promise to defend the United States from future attacks.
