Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Citizenship in the U.S.

You want to become a U.S. citizen, but you have a number of questions about the process. It seems so intimidating to go through it, and you just don’t know where to start. By reading frequently asked questions about gaining citizenship in the U.S. and finding out the answers, you will be well-prepared to begin the immigration process.

How Do I Become a U.S. Citizen?

You can become a citizen of the U.S. through naturalization. Some of the most common paths to naturalization include being the child of a U.S. citizen, being married to a U.S. citizen, being a lawful permanent resident for five years, or serving in the U.S. military. You will need to fill out Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, on the USCIS website to begin.

How Much Does the Application Cost?

Applying for U.S. citizenship costs $725. If you receive public benefits, you may be able to apply for a waiver of the fees.

What Tests Will I Need to Take?

You will need to take an English and civics test. You should study your English prior to applying, but keep in mind that there are exceptions if someone who is applying cannot learn English. The civics test is an oral test, and you will be asked 10 out of 100 possible questions. You must answer six out of 10 questions correctly to pass.

What If I Fail the Tests?

Don’t worry; you are given two chances to pass the English and civics tests. If you fail any portion of them, then 60 to 90 days after your initial interview, you can be re-tested.

Can I Legally Change My Name While My Application is Processing?

Yes, you are allowed to do this. You’ll just need to show USCIS the document stating your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

Can I Apply for Naturalization More Than Once?

You can apply for naturalization as many times as you need. There is no limit. However, you will have to pay the application fees every time.

What Are the Processing Times for a Citizenship Application?

The average amount of time it takes to process a U.S. citizenship application is 14.5 months. If you need to become a citizen by a certain time, make sure you apply well in advance.

What’s the Waiting Period for Becoming a Citizen?

You must be a lawful permanent resident for five years or be married to a U.S. citizen and living with them for three years before you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen yourself. If you are trying to gain citizenship through marriage, keep in mind that you will be tested to prove that your marriage is actually real. This is to prevent people from getting married to gain U.S. citizenship.

Can I Have Dual Citizenship?

When you become a U.S. citizen, you renounce your allegiance to other countries. However, you can have dual citizenship – as long as your home country allows it. Some do not, and you may have to give up that citizenship. You’ll need to decide if it’s the right move for you.

Contact a Florida Immigration Attorney

Do you have questions about becoming a U.S. citizen? Then contact Florida Immigration Law Counsel through our website or by calling 1-800-666-4996. We deal with the government so you don’t have to. We look forward to assisting you.

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Attorney Saman Movassaghi, Esq.

Caring and compassionate, Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez is a Florida immigration attorney dedicated to producing the results her clients need. She has over 17 years of experience helping both corporate and individual clients with an emphasis in employment/investment cases and family adjustment cases.

As the Managing Attorney at Florida Immigration Law Counsel, Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez and her team are capable of representing and helping individuals looking to attain a Family VisaWork Visa, and Citizenship/Naturalization. Her experience successfully representing clients in front of the Department of Justice for cases involving Deportation/Removal Proceedings will lead to success in your case.

Her experience and expertise in immigration litigation has led to multiple Avvo awards and other accolades, including the Clients’ Choice for 2017 Immigration Attorney. Her clients also consistently post positive reviews on her Facebook page. Her experience has also allowed her to teach a new generation of lawyers as an adjunct professor of law at Nova Southeastern University, and she also regularly gives speeches on immigration matters.

Counselor Gonzalez is also experienced in helping corporate clients through the process of filing for Employment Visas, Labor Certifications, and Business and Investment Visas with the Department of Labor. She takes on the entire case from start to finish, simplifying the process for her clients and allowing them to focus on their business.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and Farsi – Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez is dedicated to making her clients feel comfortable and assured in making her their go-to immigration attorney in Florida. Her goal is to ensure that those who want to live the American dream have a professional fighting for them and making the process as painless as possible.

Saman’s passion for immigration law stems from her personal life as the daughter of immigrants. Her parents were recipients of the student F1 visa in 1971. Her father came into this country with the goal to improve his life and the life of his children. He earned a PhD in Civil Engineering and Business, instilling in his daughter a strong work ethic that she carries to this day. Saman saw firsthand what it means to be an immigrant and achieve the American Dream.

Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez can personally understand the struggle of immigrants and the children of immigrants navigating through the bureaucratic process of immigration law. Because of this, she dedicates herself fully and provides her personal attention to every case. She prides herself on developing a strong relationship with each and every client, and she is not afraid of pushing the envelope and looking for answers where other attorneys have failed.

Saman Movassaghi makes it her goal to provide you with only the best representation for immigration matters because she believes it’s time for you to live the American dream!