American Citizenship - Social Security Number

Finally, to officially complete the American Citizenship process: update the citizenship status.
It can be done before or after getting the American passport.

What will you need?
-Proof of citizenship: citizenship certificate or passport
-ID: driver's license or passport
-Social security card or the application if you still do not have the card

All documents must be originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. You may take them to the office personally or you may send them on the mail (in which case they will send them back home by mail too). I personally preferred to take them myself, and the schedule of the social security office in my area is from 9am to 4pm.

If nothing else has changed, that would be all. If your name has changed, they will send you a new social security card in a couple of weeks.

And the most important thing is to make sure that all the information is correct in the printout they give you before leaving the window, because there may be errors.

American Passport

To request the passport, start by filling the application that comes in the envelope you got at the Oath Ceremony. Another option is to go to the Post office and request a passport application there.
You will need:
*a filled application
*a passport picture
*an ID
*the citizenship certificate
*a check or money order that will be sent with the application (to get the passport at normal speed it will be $110, and more if you want it express - prices as of January 2017)
*cash, debit or credit to pay the office fee

With all of this, find a passport office or go to the Post office and ask. The passport office where I live opens on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. Once you are inside, it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to do everything, unless there is a line.

Good luck and congratulations!

American Citizenship - Oath

For the Oath, the moment in which you officially become an American citizen, you have to bring document N-445 with the Oath appointment. Make sure you fill the back, signature included. You will also need to bring your Green Card.

The Oath will be in the same place where the interview was. Remember the metal control! it is possible they will be more restrictive for the Oath than for the interview (I was not allowed to bring in my glass water bottle). Before passing the metal control you will need to show a type of ID (you and the people with you), and the document N-445. The next person will ask you for your Green Card given that without it you won't be allowed to do the Oath.

Once inside, your accompanying crew will pass to the waiting room and you will stand in a couple of lines to have someone check you have all that is needed, and later to hand over your Green Card and the N-445. Finally, you take your seat, where an envelope with a bunch of stuff will be waiting for you. Once all the applicants have handed over their documents and are seating down, the accompanying crew will enter.

All of this, I imagine, may change from place to place, so be aware of it. For my ceremony, the appointment time was 12:30, but I was recommended to arrive at 12. They also informed me we would be done between 2 and 2:30, and so it happened.

As part of the ceremony there will be some videos, the Call of Countries, the National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner), the Pledge of Allegiance, the Oath of Allegiance, and the handing of Certificates.

In the envelope you will find:
- A booklet with the Declaration of Independence and the USA Constitution
- A booklet entitled the citizen's almanac, with fundamental documents, symbols, and anthems of the USA
- Your rights and responsibilities as a citizen
- Tips for new citizens
- 14 facts about federal elections
- An application for the vote registry
- An application for the American passport + process information
- A folder for the citizenship certificate
- A little USA flag
- A message from the president

If you have completed all this process I hope the information you found here was helpful and...
Congratulations colleague citizen!
It has been a decently long process and I hope you can feel proud of your accomplishment, and that you may represent well this country you are now part of.

American Citizenship - Interview/Test

Once you receive the letter informing you of the interview appointment, make sure to read it carefully. It lists not just date, time, and location, but also the necessary documents (many already needed for previous steps). Pay also attention to the second letter/checklist which also lists documents to bring.

Make sure you are proactive and collect all requested documents for the interview. However, if you are lucky, you may not need them. I ended up only needing passports, driver's license and green card, but I still brought the whole list of documents. Better safe than sorry!

On the interview day you will have to pass a metal control and take off your shoes, just like the airport controls. Thus, do not use complicated shoes nor too many accessories.

Once inside, walk to the window to get a number and wait until they call you. Then, they will bring you into an office to interview you.

Part of the interview is spent providing the documents the interviewer asks for, and the other part is the exam. The interviewer will ask you between 6 and 10 questions (if you pass all of them it will be enough with 6, if you fail any, you will get more. You can fail up to 4), and then you will be asked to read a sentence and write another. You will also get to answer all the questions on the last part of the paperwork, the ones that ask you if you are a terrorist, a communist, a duke,....


Once you finish, they will give you the document N-652 with the result of the interview. Then you will go back to the waiting room to wait until they give you document N-445, the appointment to the Oath Ceremony. In my case, the appointment for the Oath Ceremony was for the week following the interview. 

If your interview is in Charlotte, NC, I can tell you that Oath Ceremonies are done on Tuesdays and Thursday, and if your interview is such a day, you may be offered to do the Oath Ceremony that same day.

American Citizenship - Changing the appointment date

Once you receive the letter with your interview appointment, if it does not work for you we can now see what to do about it to change it.

First, read the letter carefully, and if your letter is like mine, there will be a brief sentence in the first paragraph indicating to write a letter to the office explaining why the change of date. The address of the office will be written at the end of the letter.

If there is no such indication you can call the number you find on the letter, it should be (800) 375-5283. However, it is not the direct phone number to the office, and they ask for a whole month to make sure the office receives the message. Thus, I would still write a letter to the office.

In the letter, mention your Alien number, the receipt number associated to the case, and the date in which the case was received (all these numbers should be in the header of the letter, in a rectangle). Besides you can add the explanation of why you cannot assist and have to change the date.

One more recommendation would be to send the letter with a tracking system to ensure the letter arrives to destiny.

Once they receive it you can check the status of your case as explained here or calling (800) 375-5283, for which you will need the receipt number.

Finally you will receive another letter with a new appointment.

That simple.

American Citizenship - Interview appointment

Shortly after 2 months from the Biometrics I receive a letter with the appointment to the interview. The appointment is in about a month; therefore, if you want to wait to receive the letter to start studying you would have time. However, I would recommend you at least read/listen the questions and answers once or twice in advance, that way it will be easier when starting to study.

Anyhow, I am afraid the given date is not a convenient one since I will be on vacation. The question is, how do we change the appointment?
You can read about it here!

American Citizenship - Check your case status

Wherever you find yourself in the naturalization process, and once you have received the receipt letter (form I-797) or an email note (as long as you filled the form G-1145), you should have all you need to check your status.

On the receipt or on the email you will find a receipt number. With that number yo can go to the Official Website of the Department of Homeland Security and click on  "Check your case status", or click here and insert the receipt number.

You may see something of the following sort, always depending on the status of your case.

Good luck, and I hope it is good news!

American Citizenship - Biometrics

Three weeks after sending the documents I receive a letter with the appointment for the biometrics. The appointment is within 2 weeks!

For the biometrics appointment you have to bring this letter with the appointment and the green card as ID.

~~~~~

I showed up half an hour earlier and I spent there about 30-40 minutes. It was quite fast.

Firstly, and after showing letter and green card, you receive a paper to fill, and a booklet like this with the questions and answers to study for the interview. The paper you will have to return to the staff filled after standing in line for about 5 minutes, and the booklet is yours to keep. Once you have given the paper, you will have to wait to be called. It may take between 5 to 10 minutes before they call you to take your finger prints and a picture. After that, you are asked to fill a 2 question questionnaire and ready!

Now you just need to wait again to receive another letter with the information of the appointment for the interview/test. Keep on studying!

American Citizenship - Studying for the Test

Well,time to study!

Here you can read and download (one by one) the audio of the 100 questions with answers for the Civic test in mp3 format. In the test they will ask 10 of the 100 questions, and as long as you get 6 right you are done. It does not seem hard.


Here you can find study material for the English test as well as for the Civic test.

Keep in mind that "You have two opportunities to take the English and civics tests per application. If you fail any portion of the test during your first interview, you will be retested on the portion of the test that you failed between 60 and 90 days from the date of your initial interview." 

 -Official Website of the Department of Homeland Security

PS: As you go for your Biometrics apt, you will receive a booklet and a CD with all the questions and answers, you may or may not want to wait until then to study

American Citizenship - Ready to Send, Where?

Are you ready to send all the documents? If you want to add a cover letter you can check this post. Also, if you want USCIS to inform you of when your application has been accepted, you can fill the G-1145 form which can be also found here. Once your application is accepted, they will inform you within 24 hours via email.
 

Well, now we got it all, so where do we send it?
I recommend to read the more detailed information here (then click "Where to File"), from were I pulled the following information. Roughly, here is the list of where to send the paperwork:

"If you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Mariana Islands, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, send your application for U.S. Postal Service to:

USCIS

P.O. Box 21251

Phoenix, AZ 85036

If you live in  Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District. Of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Luisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland,  Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Vermont, West Virginia, send your application for U.S. Postal Service to:

USCIS

P.O. Box 660060

Dallas, TX 75266"

Now it is time to put everything in an envelope, write the address, send it and wait to be informed that the application has been accepted (as long as you sent the G-1145 form), and wait for the biometrics appointment.

Personally, I sent it through U.S. Postal Service with tracking to know that it reaches its destination safely. The cost was $5 and some change, and with the code you can follow the letter's path here.  Sending it on a Saturday I know it arrived to destiny on Monday, and on Tuesday it was picked up. I received notice via text message that my case was received 10 days after sending it.

While you wait you can start or continue to study for the English or Civic tests. For more information about the tests and where to find study material read this post.

American Citizenship - Cover letter

Once you have all documents ready (here there is a list of what you need according to your situation) I would recommend to attach a cover letter listing everything you send to ensure yourself and the USCIS office that everything is there.

The main information is the same for all situations, even if fee may vary. The supplemental information will vary according to which option you choose or have at hand.
At the same time, if you have to inform them of any specific detail, you could use the cover letter to share that information.

Following there is an example that you may copy and personalize:

USCIS,
P.O. Box 660060
Dallas, TX 75266

To whom it may concern,

I, xxxxxxxxx (formerly: xxxxxxxxxxxx), am filing for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen, xxxxxxxxxxx.

The major content herein include the following:

·         N-400

·         A photocopy of both sides of my Permanent Resident Card

·         2 identical color photographs

·         A money order for $xxx.00

Other supplemental information include the following:

·         G-1145

·         xxxx

·         xxxx

·         xxxx

Other Info that may be relevant

If there is any need to contact me, feel free to contact me using the following information:
Address:
Phone:
Email: 

American Citizenship - Fotos & Check or Money Order

Preparing the documents, there are a few details to keep in mind.

To pay the fees you can use a check, a money order, or the credit card using the form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. The N-400 fees are the only ones that can be paid with credit card. In case you choose one of the first two payment methods, the payment will be done to "Department of Homeland Security."

The fees are not refundable in any case (whether you retire your application or the application is denied). Hence, make sure you are eligible to apply for naturalization, fill everything properly, and send all necessary documents.

Here you can read more details about being eligible and to know if any exceptions apply.  

Back to pictures: they have to be passport style, click here for more details on that; and for more information from the naturalization instructions, check this pdf and go to page 3.

The pictures can be taken at home or at Walmart or CVS or any other places. I went to CVS and flipped out with the bad quality and crazy prize: $12 for a picture with vertical illumination that causes shades under your eyes and in all the bad places. I later went and repeated them at the AAA store, and was a bit more satisfied, still same prize though. Insane for 2 pictures, if you ask me.

Well, I hope this is helpful, good luck!

American Citizenship - Starting the process with the N-400

Wow, it has been a year since I finally got back on the paperwork for naturalization. Well, I hope you guys don't take so long. Let's get started! 

As I already pointed out in a previous post, there are several processes of which we will focus on naturalization after birth. This applies to legal permanent residents, people doing military service, or people with at least an American parent who was born and lives abroad.

In the following posts we will take on specifically the naturalization of legal permanent residents, let's get started! 

To get started we need the form N-400 which can be downloaded here, as well as the instructions. It is also convenient to read the FAQ from this Guide to Naturalization to solve any possible doubts.

To fill the N-400 you may want to have at hand the following information:
-Green Card (A number, name & date in which you started to be a resident)
-Social Security Number
-Where did you live the last 5 years
-Contact information
-Personal information: yours, your husband, and your kids
-Where did you work &/or study the last 5 years
-How many days have you been outside of the United States, and how many trips you did abroad in the last 5 years
With the N-400 you will have to send several documents. Those will depend on your personal situation. Here there is a list of such documents, as well as some worksheets that may help with any eligibility for naturalization questions

Whichever your situation is, there are 3 common documents required:
-A copy of the Green Card (front & back)
-Two passport pictures (more details on the 5th part of the guide of naturalization)
-A check or a money order with the fees for the process and the biometrics ($680 as per January 2016 - check the guide of naturalization and website to get the current value)

Once the N-400 formed is filled and printed, and the needed documents are prepared we are ready to move on to the next phase. Now, I always recommend keeping copies of all the documents you send as well as to include a cover letter with a list of everything you are sending.

American Citizenship - Requirements & Benefits

After a long wait... New Year: new paperwork project! 

Today we start looking at what do we need to become an American citizen, aka the naturalization process.

First of all, there are several ways to obtain citizenship: at birth, or after birth. To know more you can visit the government website. Here I will focus on how to obtain citizenship through naturalization, after birth.

Start this process by reading the guide to naturalization (full PDF here) where you will be able to get an idea of the whole process, the requirements and the benefits. 
Following there is a copy of the requirements and benefits from the American Immigration Center website (which is a commercial web, not from the government) in which I marked in bold the key elements:

"Lawful Permanent residents (Green Card holders) whose Green Card has been valid during the 5 years prior can file for US citizenship. [...] If you are married to a US citizen, you may apply for US citizenship after 3 years with a valid Green Card. There are exceptions. If an applicant has served in the United States Armed Forces during war, that individual may obtain citizenship without first becoming a permanent resident if he or she was in the United States upon enlistment into the US military. A completed Form N-400 (US Citizenship Application) is the required form; it must be filed along with photos and supporting documents. Becoming a US citizen has many advantages. File today for US Citizenship, and don't wait to process your naturalization and immigration forms.

Advantages of U.S. Citizenship

• Right to vote: The ability to elect the leaders of this nation is an exclusive right of US citizens. Becoming one of them gives you the right to vote in federal elections. Get a voice!
• Reunite your family in the United States: To promote family unity, US citizens and legal residents are allowed to petition for certain qualified relatives to come and live permanently in the United States. Usually, only US citizens get priority when petitioning for loved ones. Bring your family to the US!
• Obtain citizenship for children born abroad: If you are a US citizen and your child was born outside of the country, he or she could become a US citizen automatically.
• Ability to travel freely across US borders: Enjoy all the benefits of overseas travel with a US passport! Get assistance from the US government and feel protected during your trips! Remember that as a US citizen the amount of time you spend outside the country is not restricted. Permanent Residents, on the other hand, may lose their status if they leave the country for a certain period of time.
• Collect benefits: Take advantage of US benefits like social security and Medicare.
• Become a federal employee: To be eligible for most federal jobs you need to be a US citizen. You can apply and enjoy the benefits of being a federal worker!
• Become an elected official: Most elected posts in this country require US citizenship. Get the right to participate!"

If you want to know if you qualify to obtain American citizenship you can read the requirements on the guide to naturalization or fill a free quiz here (also part of the comercial website). Now, as you finish the quiz do NOT start the application with this company, you will have to pay $199 for their services, which are not necessary. You may opt to pay for their help, but as seen on the online reviews they do not seem to be of much help at all. Also, you can do the whole process on your own without having to pay that amount. 

Summing up, to qualify for American citizenship this way you have to be 18 years old or older and have a Green Card valid for at least 5 years, or 3 if you are married to an American citizen (**The process can be started 3 months before the 5 or the 3 years are met).

What is needed is to fill the N-400 form, pay the fees (680$ in January of 2016), 2 passport pictures, copies of the marriage certificate/divorce/widowe, green card, background check, tax returns... biometrics, an interview, a test, and an oath.

The next post will focus on how to start the application process with the N-400 form

See you soon!

Updated on January 2016