As a resident of Louisville who is not yet a permanent citizen of the U.S., you may be wondering what your options for citizenship or naturalization might be. Today, we at Vickerstaff Law Office, PSC, will take a look at what qualifications must be met in order for you to be eligible for naturalization.
First is age. You must be over 18 years old in order to qualify for naturalization. Permanent residency – and corresponding proof – is also of key importance. You must either:
- Have permanent residency and have served in the military of the U.S.
- Be married to a citizen of the U.S. and have had permanent residency for 3 years minimum
- Have permanent residency and have lived in the U.S. for 5 years minimum
Permanent residency is proved with a green card. These are the most basic requirements, however. Most people must also be able to read, write, and speak in English. The elderly and those with learning disabilities may be given exceptions.
Not only that, but you will also need to show that you have a good understanding of the U.S. government and history. A test is administered on top of the copious amounts of paperwork that you will need to sign and send in according to a strict schedule.
If you are looking into becoming a naturalized citizen of the U.S., it’s a fairly complex and time-consuming process, as can be seen here. This is why you might benefit from the aid of an immigration attorney, who can help you manage your time, paperwork, and application studies.
