Certificate of Citizenship

Although citizenship status is granted automatically to minor permanent resident children living with a naturalized parent in the US, documentation showing the status change must be obtained from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services through a formal application process. A certificate of citizenship serves as a permanent record of a child’s citizenship status in the United States.

Naturalization

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

You may qualify for naturalization if:

• You are 18 years of age or older; and
• You have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years or
• You have been a permanent resident for 3 years and you obtained your permanent resident status through your current US citizen spouse; and
• You have lived continuously in the U.S. for the preceding 5/3 years; and
• You are a person of good moral character for the past 5/3 years; and
• You pass all required background checks; and
• You are able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and civics.