Chicago Citizenship Lawyers

Trusted Chicago Citizenship & Naturalization Lawyers

United States citizenship brings many benefits. It allows you the opportunity to live permanently in the U.S., vote, travel with a U.S. passport, and assist family members in relocating to the U.S. 

However, the process of achieving U.S. citizenship can be complicated, expensive, and confusing. It’s not always clear what documentation is needed or what factors could lead to a denial. 

The Chicago citizenship lawyers at SimVisa take the guesswork and stress out of the naturalization process. Over the past decade, our experienced team of citizenship attorneys has helped countless clients achieve U.S. citizenship. 

How SimVisa Can Help You

Gaining U.S. citizenship is a complex process. A SimVisa citizenship lawyer can help guide you through the steps needed to achieve U.S. naturalization and citizenship. 

Naturalization

Naturalization is the process of being granted U.S. citizenship. To be eligible for naturalization, you must meet the requirements established in the Immigration and Nationality Act. You must meet specific eligibility criteria, complete the naturalization interview, and pass tests on the English language and U.S. civics and government. 

Certificate of Citizenship

A certificate of citizenship, also known as Form N-600, serves as proof of citizenship. This certificate is available in two situations. The first is when the child of a U.S. citizen is born in another country. The second is when a child is born overseas but becomes a U.S. citizen before their 18th birthday. 

Consular Report of Birth Abroad

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is for U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals who give birth to a child while overseas. The child’s birth must be reported to a U.S. embassy or consulate so that a CRBA can be issued. Completing this process grants U.S. citizenship from birth, regardless of where the parents are located. 

Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate

You can request a replacement certificate if the naturalization or citizenship certificate contains incorrect information or if it is lost, stolen, or damaged. It’s also necessary to request a replacement when identifying information is changed, such as when you change your name due to marriage or divorce.  

Filling and Submitting of N-600K Form

Form N-600K is filed by parents who are U.S. citizens to apply for U.S. citizenship for their child. This form can only be filed on behalf of a child who lives outside the U.S. The child must be under 18 and in the legal and physical custody of the parent with U.S. citizenship.

Other Matters

In addition to the most common citizenship- and naturalization-related matters, SimVisa assists individuals in a range of other situations. Our citizenship lawyers offer support with naturalization through military service, applications for preserving residence for naturalization (continuous residence), posthumous citizenship, and other matters related to U.S. citizenship and naturalization.  

Who Is Eligible for U.S. Citizenship?

Becoming a U.S. citizen is complex, but the eligibility criteria are fairly straightforward. There are only three ways to become a U.S. citizen: being born in the U.S., being born abroad to a parent who is a U.S. citizen, or completing the U.S. naturalization process.  

If naturalization is the only path to citizenship available to you, you must meet a long list of eligibility requirements to begin the process: 

• For Individuals: You are 18 or older and a green card holder for at least five years
• For Spouses: You are 18 or older, a green card holder for at least three years, married to and living with a U.S. citizen for the past three years, and that spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least three years
• For U.S. Military: You are at least 18 years old and a green card holder with at least one year of honorable service with the U.S. Armed Forces; the naturalization application must be filed during service or no more than six months from termination 
• For Active-Duty Military: You have served in active-duty status or as a Selected Reserve member during a designated period of hostilities; you may apply for naturalization regardless of time spent in the U.S.
• For Children: One or both parents are U.S. citizens, the child was born outside and resides outside the U.S., and all other requirements are met
• For Other Situations: Unique situations are not uncommon, and an immigration lawyer for U.S. citizenship can help you understand your options if you don’t meet the above requirements

If you do not have a green card, you’ll first need to work with an immigration citizenship lawyer to achieve permanent residence before beginning the naturalization process. 

Additional Requirements for U.S. Citizenship

After the initial eligibility criteria are met, someone interested in moving through the naturalization process must meet all criteria listed below. 

• Continuous Residence: Must have held a green card for five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen)
• Physical Presence: Must have resided in their current state for at least three months and must have spent at least half of the past five (or three) years living in the U.S. without continuous absences longer than six months 
• Testing: Must pass tests demonstrating knowledge of U.S. government and history and showing the ability to read, write, and speak English
• Moral Character: Must provide proof showing sound moral character, with no serious offenses within the past five years
• Willingness to Bear Arms: Must agree to bear arms for the U.S. if required by law
• Willingness to Uphold the Constitution: Must affirm the principles of the U.S. Constitution, particularly a willingness to uphold the good order and happiness of the United States

Some circumstances related to the length of permanent residence and physical presence allow for exceptions. 

How to Obtain U.S. Citizenship Through Naturalization

Naturalization occurs through a series of steps, which you’ll be guided through by your immigration lawyer. Citizenship takes time to achieve. The first step is consulting with a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship. After confirming that you are eligible, your case will move through the following steps:

• Complete and file the Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) and accompanying documents through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Attend biometrics appointment for fingerprinting and criminal background check
• Participate in the naturalization interview
• Take and pass tests on U.S. civics and the English language
• Await approval
• Take the U.S. Oath of Allegiance

An immigration lawyer for citizenship works with you throughout this process. When you have a naturalization attorney on your side, you can avoid delays, errors, missing or incorrect documentation, unnecessary expenses, and the risk of a denial.