Orlando Citizenship Attorney

Lawyers Helping Immigrants Complete the Naturalization Process in Saint Cloud, Winter Garden, and Orange County

Being able to live in the United States is a goal for many people and families in foreign countries. Receiving authorization to enter the U.S. is only the first step in the immigration process, and many immigrants will plan to establish themselves as permanent residents and receive a Green Card. After living in the United States for multiple years, immigrants may then wish to take the next step and become U.S. citizens. In these cases, a person will want to understand the qualifications they will need to meet and the steps they will need to take to gain the rights and benefits of citizenship. A lawyer who understands immigration laws can ensure that immigrants complete the naturalization process successfully.

The Vasquez Law Firm, PLLC offers dedicated guidance and representation throughout the immigration process, and we work to ensure that our clients are able to address any issues or difficulties they may encounter as they establish their lives in the United States. Our attorneys have a combined total of more than 35 years of legal experience, and we work to ensure that immigrants can address any and all immigration matters, from the initial application for a visa to attaining U.S. citizenship.

Becoming a Citizen Through Naturalization

Citizenship provides people with many rights and benefits. Some of the most important of these include the right to maintain residence in the United States without the possibility of deportation, as well as the ability to sponsor family members for immigration through different types of family-based visas. A citizen will also be able to vote in U.S. elections or run for elected office, travel internationally with a U.S. passport, hold certain types of jobs with the federal government, obtain government benefits, and apply for scholarships or grants when pursuing an education.

The process of applying for citizenship is known as "naturalization." To be eligible for naturalization, a person must meet a number of requirements, including:

• They must be at least 18 years old.
• They must be a lawful permanent resident with a valid Green Card.
• They must have maintained a continuous residence in the United States for at least five years. Spouses of U.S. citizens can qualify for naturalization if they have lived in the U.S. for at least three years.
• During the five years before applying for citizenship, they must not have been outside the United States for more than 30 months. Spouses of U.S. citizens must not have been outside the United States for more than 18 months in the past three years. Exceptions to this requirement may be available for people who have served on s U.S. vessel, worked for the U.S. government, or served as a priest or minister for a religious organization.
• They must not have taken a single trip outside the United States that lasted for more than one year.
• They must be able to speak, read, and write basic English. Exceptions to this requirement may apply for people over the age of 50 who have been lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years, people over the age of 55 who have been lawful permanent residents for at least 15 years, or people with certain types of disabilities.
• They must be able to pass a civics test demonstrating a knowledge of U.S. history and government. Exceptions to this requirement may apply for people with certain types of disabilities.
• They must be of good moral character, be willing to support the U.S. Constitution, and be willing to perform any legally-required military or civilian duties to the United States.

A person can apply to become a U.S. citizen by submitting an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) along with certain types of required documents. If an application is accepted, an interview will be scheduled with USCIS, and the person will be required to take English and civics tests. Once naturalization is approved, the person will take an oath of allegiance to the United States, and they will be recognized as a U.S. citizen.

Contact Our Lake Mary Naturalization Lawyers

Our attorneys can help you understand the requirements you will need to meet during the naturalization process, and we will ensure that you complete the proper steps to become a U.S. citizen. To get legal help with these or other immigration matters, contact our office at 407-955-5000 and schedule your free consultation today. We work with clients in Orange County and the surrounding areas, including Clermont, St. Petersburg, Apopka, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Leesburg Bay Lake, Casselberry, Windermere, Saint Cloud, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Winter Garden, Lake Buena Vista, Ocoee, Winter Springs, Oviedo, and Kissimmee.