Naturalization Resource Page

1. Gather your documents.

A common reason for naturalization cases to be denied is if the applicant does not provide the required documents at the interview.  We don’t want to this to happen to you!  Please be sure that you bring the following with you on the day of your interview:

• The original interview appointment letter.
• Permanent Resident Card.
• Social Security Card.
• Driver’s license or state-issued form of identification.
• All passports or refugee travel documents (current and expired). *If you don’t have prior passports because you lost them or your country’s embassy required you to return them before you receive your new passport then just bring those that you have.
• Proof of your current martial status (originals/certified copies of marriage certificate(s), divorce/annulment decree(s) or death certificate(s) of former spouse(s)).
• Proof of the termination of all previous marriages (originals/certified copies of divorce/annulment decrees or death certificates) for you and your current spouse (if applicable).
• Federal tax returns/transcripts for the most recent five years (3 years if filing on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen) or proof of timely filed extension(s).
• Evidence of any traffic tickets and proof of payment (if applicable).
• Original/Certified police records and court dispositions for any criminal history (if applicable).
• Re-entry permit (if applicable).
• Proof of Selective Service registration (if applicable).
• Birth certificates/adoption certificates for all children listed on your naturalization application (if applicable).
• Proof that you have complied with child support obligations (if applicable).
• Copy of the court or government order that requires you to provide financial support for a spouse, ex-spouse, or child and evidence that you have complied with the order (if applicable).
• If you have any outstanding tax payments – signed agreement from the tax office of any Federal, State, or local government showing that you have arranged to pay the taxes you owe, and documentation from the IRS, State, or local tax office showing the current status of your payments (if applicable).

If filing as on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen (permanent resident for less than 5 years), bring in the following additional evidence:

• Proof that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years at the time of filing for naturalization and proof that you and your spouse lived in marital union for at least 3 years at the time of the filing for naturalization (if applicable).
• Proof that your U.S. citizen spouse’s qualifying employment or contract employment abroad is scheduled to last for at least 1 year from the date you filed for naturalization and a written statement declaring your intent to reside abroad with your U.S. citizen spouse and to take up residence within the U.S. immediately after the termination of your citizen spouse’s employment abroad (if applicable).

2. Study for your civics exam.

USCIS has great resources to prepare you for your interview and includes the most current civics exam preparation material. See the specific study questions HERE.  Remember that you must get 6/10 correct in order to pass this portion of the interview.

3. Reach out to us with ANY questions.

4. Attend your interview.

5. Upon Approval, attend your Oath Ceremony.

I’m really excited that you are at this stage!  I’m happy to answer any questions that you have and attend your interview if you would like.  Please give our office a call at (404) 890-0372 if you would like to schedule a call with me before your interview.

At your appointment the immigration officer will review your Form N-400 and the responses that you provided.    You will also be given an English and civics exam which will test your ability to read, write and speak English and your knowledge of the U.S. government and history.  The civics exam will consist of 10 questions of which you must answer 6 correctly to pass the exam.  The immigration officer will approve, continue (if additional information needed) or deny your application.  The officer will provide you with a notice of your results at the conclusion of the interview.  The notice may state that they were not able to make a decision yet, but that is okay.  It means that either they need to review something further, you will receive a request for additional evidence.  If you receive this type of notice please share with our office after your appointment.  Following your interview, you will receive the actual approval the same day or within 120 of your interview. ** If the decision is not issued within 120 days of the interview, we may request judicial review of your application in district court.

After you receive your approval, USCIS will schedule your oath ceremony typically in about 30 days.  They will reach out to you directly by mail or phone to confirm you are available for the next upcoming ceremony.  If you are not able to attend, you will need to send them a return notice by mail (if they notified you by mail) or by phone (if the officer contacted you by phone).  Usually the oath ceremonies are held at the closes USCIS Field Office.  Please let us know when your ceremony is scheduled. Thank you!