US Citizenship

U.S.
CITIZENSHIP ✰✰✰
U.S.
CITIZENSHIP
✰✰✰
A Step-by-Step Guide
Felice Primeau Devine

with Expert Adviser Joon Lee
New York
Copyright © 2001 LearningExpress, LLC.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright

Conventions. Published in the United States by LearningExpress, LLC, New York.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Devine, Felice.
U.S. citizenship : a step-by-step guide / by Felice Devine.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-57685-383-7 (alk. Paper)
1. Citizenship—United States—Handbooks, manuals, etc.
2. Naturalization—United States—Handbooks, manuals, etc.
3. Americanization—Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title: US citizenship,
II. Title.
JK 1758 .D48 2001
323.6’23’0973—dc21
2001038087
Printed in the United States of America

987654321
First Edition
ISBN 1-57685-383-7
Regarding the Information in This Book

Every effort has been made ensure accuracy of directory information up until
press time. However, phone numbers and/or addresses are subject to change.
Please contact the respective organization for the most recent information.
For Further Information

For more information or to place an order, contact LearningExpress at:
900 Broadway
Suite 604
New York, NY 10003
Or visit us at:
www.learnatest.com
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I want to express my gratitude to my

talented editor Jennifer Farthing for her guidance, support and, espe-
cially, cheerleading over the course of this project.
Thanks also to Marco Annunziata for all of his work in helping to
shape the book.
Joon Lee generously shared his time and expertise in the preparation
of this project, and for that I am grateful.
Special thanks go out to Carla Asta and everyone else who shared
their experiences.
And most of all, thanks to my patient and understanding husband,
Owen.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION: How to Use This Book ix
CHAPTER 1: Naturalization —An Overview of the 1

Process of Becoming a Citizen
CHAPTER 2: Eligibility Requirements 9
CHAPTER 3: How to Apply for Citizenship 21
CHAPTER 4: The INS Interview and Oral Exam/ 39
Sample Questions and Answers
CHAPTER 5: Official INS Questions 79
and Sample Answers
CHAPTER 6: U.S. History and Civics 91
CHAPTER 7: Special Situations 105
APPENDIX A: Useful Contact Information 119

APPENDIX B: Community Based Resources 139
and Organizations
APPENDIX C: Necessary INS Forms 143
APPENDIX D: Government Acronyms 185
INTRODUCTION
How to Use This Book

Congratulations—you’ve decided to become a U.S. citizen! While
you’ve been thinking about whether or not to seek citizenship, you have
no doubt realized that this is a big decision. This decision comes with
some very important responsibilities. But before you can realize these
responsibilities and show your commitment to the U.S. Constitution
and the American people, you first have to go though naturalization—
the process by which immigrants become citizens.
Don’t give up yet! Yes, naturalization is a complex process. There are
applications to complete, interviews to attend, and tests to take. With a
little step-by-step guidance, however, your naturalization can be as easy
as American pie!
Did You Know . . .

. . . that almost 10% of the U.S. population is foreign born? This
means that you are not alone in deciding to become a U.S. cit-
izen. In fact, the United States is a country made up of immi-
grants; when you become a citizen you will be following in the
footsteps of millions of Americans.
It All Starts Here

This book will provide you with the basic information, rules, and regu-
lations you need to know to become a U.S. citizen. It is not intended to
X ◆ U.S. CITIZENSHIP
serve as a substitute for legal guidance. For information on resources for

legal guidance, see Appendix B.
In Chapter 1, you will be introduced to all of the steps involved in
naturalization. This chapter includes a timeline that will allow you to
easily keep track of where you are in the process and where to go next.
✰ NATURALIZATION: the process of conferring the

rights of a national on; especially: to admit to
citizenship
Chapter 2 covers how people qualify for citizenship and the eligibility
requirements for naturalization (one of the four ways to qualify for citizen-
ship). This information can be confusing for applicants, so we’ve made the
process simple by using the steps outlined in this book. This chapter will
explain exactly how to determine if you meet the naturalization require-
ments. It also will discuss where to go for additional legal help, if you need it.
✰ ELIGIBILITY: the state of being qualified to participate

or be chosen: entitlement
Chapter 3 will provide you with details on the steps for applying for
citizenship. You’ll learn what documents are necessary, see a sample
application, and gain general familiarity with the naturalization process.
Did You Know . . .

. . . that only U.S. citizens have the right to vote? (With a green
card, you can live, work, or go to school in the United States, but
you cannot vote for elected officials.)
Chapter 4 covers the most important element of naturalization—the

U.S. Citizenship Exam. In this chapter, you’ll find an overview of the
exam—what to expect and how to prepare. You’ll learn invaluable study
tips and how to deal with test anxiety. After this introduction, you’ll be
ready to test yourself with official Immigration and Naturalization
Service questions in Chapter 5.
Introduction ◆ XI
As you will see from the sample questions, studying U.S. civics will
be a main focus during your preparation. A quick review of U.S. civics,
including history, government, general civics, and important informa-
tion on the U.S. Constitution is contained in Chapter 6.
Special situations and exceptions, such as dual citizenship and mar-
riage visas, are covered in Chapter 7. Please note that this book does not
contain legal advice, but it will provide you with the background infor-
mation and rules to follow during the naturalization process.
We have included lots of resources to help make your naturalization
process run smoothly: Appendix A contains a directory of INS offices
all over the country. Appendix B is a selective list of resources to make
your preparation easier. Appendix C contains sample forms, and
Appendix D is a list of government acronyms and abbreviations that are
sometimes hard to understand.
The Outlook on Immigration

In the summer of 2001, President George W. Bush visited Ellis Island, the
New York port where over 12 million immigrants have arrived over the
years. As you will discover in the following chapters, becoming a citizen
can take a long time. Promising to accelerate—or speed up—the immi-
gration process, President Bush welcomed 29 new citizens to the United
States at their Oath Ceremony on historic Ellis Island. He said,
“Immigration is not a problem to be solved, it is a sign of a confident and
successful nation. . . . New arrivals should be greeted not with suspicion
and resentment, but with openness and courtesy.”
Source: The New York Times. Tuesday, July 10, 2001
With the right preparation, you soon will find yourself reciting the
Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America at your swearing-in
ceremony!
U.S. CITIZENSHIP ✰✰✰
CHAPTER 1
Naturalization—
An Overview of the
Process of Becoming
a Citizen
IN THE YEAR 2000, almost 900,000 people were naturalized as

U.S. citizens. They successfully completed the process that you are now
beginning, probably with the help of friends, family, and resources like
this book. If the process of becoming a U.S. citizen seems overwhelm-
ing at times, you can rest assured that hundreds of thousands of people
are going through the process, too. And they, like you, know that if they
are prepared, they will succeed.
The best way to be prepared is to know what to expect. This chapter
will give you an overview of naturalization in the United States. It will
tell you what you should do first and when; ultimately leading to the
day you become a citizen.
Did You Know . . .

. . . that the Hispanic population in the United States is largest
in California, Florida, and Texas? According to the 2000 U.S.
2 ◆ U.S. CITIZENSHIP
Census, Los Angeles County, California, with 4.2 million Latino

residents, leads all counties nationwide in total Hispanic popu-
lation. Dade County, Florida, which includes Miami and has 1.3
million Latinos, was a distant second to Los Angeles County.
Harris County, Texas, which includes Houston, was third with
1.1 million Hispanics.
Source: Hillburg, Bill. “Immigration Sources Growing More Diverse.”
Daily News, Los Angeles. May 11, 2001
Step 1
Determine your eligibility. In general, you will meet the eligibility
requirements if one of the following applies to you:
◆ You have been a lawful, permanent resident for at least five

years, or
◆ You have been a lawful, permanent resident for at least three
years and have been married to a U.S. citizen for those three
years, and
◆ You have been physically present in the United States for at
least half of the time that you have been a lawful permanent
resident (30 or 18 months).
In addition, you may be eligible if:
◆ You are a lawful permanent resident child of U.S. citizen

parent(s).
◆ You have qualifying military service in the Armed Forces of the
U.S. (Forms N-426 and G-325B are required in addition to
Form N-400).
This will be discussed further in Chapter 2.
✰ GREEN CARD: an identity card attesting the

permanent resident status of an alien in the
United States
Naturalization ◆ 3
Step 2
Obtain a Form N-400 from the Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS). This form is your Application for Naturalization. You can con-
tact your local INS office; visit the INS Web site at www.ins.usdoj.gov,
or call 1-800-870-FORMS.
Step 3
Gather your application material and send it to the INS with the appro-
priate application fee and supporting documents. You can file your
application up to three months in advance of your actual eligibility date.
Your application will consist of:
◆ Form N-400
◆ The filing fee of $260.00 and fingerprint fee of $50.00. These
fees may be paid in one check totaling $310.00, payable to the
Immigration and Naturalization Service. (Please confirm fees
with the INS before you send any money; this was the correct
price at time of publication.)
◆ Three color photographs, 2” x 2” (You can get these pictures
taken anywhere that makes passport photos.)
◆ A photocopy of the front and back of your green card
Step 4
Get your fingerprints taken. This step is taken after you submit your
application. After the INS receives your complete application packet, they
will send you a fingerprint appointment letter. This letter will contain
information about when and where to go to get your fingerprints taken.
(The INS has established Application Support Centers in most metropol-
itan areas, as well as mobile fingerprinting vans to facilitate fingerprint-
ing.) Read and follow the instructions in the letter carefully. Also, make
sure to take the letter with you to your fingerprint appointment.
You may be wondering why you have to be fingerprinted. The

Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) will use your fingerprints to run
a criminal background check on you. This is one way of ensuring that
you fulfill the good moral character requirement, which you’ll learn
about in the next chapter.
Step 5
Study, study, study! You have completed all of the steps for filing your
application. Now you can focus on learning more about U.S. history
and government. You will be tested on these issues during your inter-
view. It is important that you study because you must answer at least
70% of the questions correctly in order to pass. Chapters 5 and 6 pro-
vide you with sample questions and an overview of U.S. civics. Use
these chapters, along with other books on how to pass the citizenship
test, when you are preparing. A great preparation guide is
LearningExpress’s Pass the U.S. Citizenship Exam (available in English
and Spanish).
How, Where, and When to Study

You can successfully carry out your study plan by:
➤ Finding a quiet location
➤ Using good reading lights
➤ Turning off the radio and television
➤ Asking your family and friends for help
➤ Organizing a study group
Setting your study goals and writing down your study schedule
will help you to master the material on your test if you follow
these five steps.
Step 6
Attend your interview and oral exam. The INS will send you a letter
telling you the date of your interview. Do not be surprised if this date is
up to (or even well over) one year after you filed your application. Be
prepared to provide updated information, such as changes of address
and excursions outside of the United States after filing your N-400
application.
When you attend your interview, be prepared to answer questions
about your application, yourself, your family, your work, and your life
in general. Be sure to honestly answer all the questions. Chapter 4 cov-
ers the interview process in greater detail.
Step 7
If you passed your interview and oral exam, this will be the last and
most exciting step of the process. You will receive a letter from the INS
telling you the date and time of your swearing-in ceremony. At the cer-
emony, you will take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your U.S. citi-
zenship certificate.
There are two important things to remember while you are going
through the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. First, always be honest.
Answer all questions truthfully—do not lie about your situation, where
you live, where you’ve worked, any criminal matters, nothing. Second,
always be prepared. If you are filling out your Form N-400, gather all of
the information you will need before you get started. Make a few copies
of the form and practice filling it out properly and completely, in order
to prevent cross-outs and errors. If you are going to your interview, be
sure you have spent adequate time studying U.S. history and civics.
Oath of Allegiance: If you pass your test and interview, you will recite
this oath at your swearing-in ceremony:
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce

and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate,
state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a sub-
ject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and
laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and
domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that
I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the
law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces

of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform
work of national importance under civilian direction when required
by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental
reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
✰ ABJURE: to reject solemnly

✰ FIDELITY: the quality or state of being faithful
What does the Oath of Allegiance mean? Well, first of all, it means
that you are willing to leave behind your former identity as a citizen of
your native country. This is a serious thing to do, and it’s something that
you need to consider thoroughly before starting your citizenship
process. Secondly, when you pledge your allegiance to the United States,
it means that you will do your share to support your new country no
matter what—even if that means not supporting your native land. For
some people, this is a very difficult thing to do. Make sure that you are
ready and prepared to honor this part of the oath. Sometimes, this oath
will mean that you need to support the United States of America in a
war—either through combat, active duty, or civilian work at home.
And, under certain special circumstances, you may be called on to do
some work of “national importance” on behalf of the United States,
based on your national origin or special skills. The most important
thing is to understand what you are pledging yourself to and to be will-
ing to take this oath without hesitation. To help you understand more
about your new country, read the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of
Independence, both found in Chapter 6.
Now that you have an overview of the naturalization process, let’s

read on about eligibility requirements for U.S. citizenship in the next
chapter.
✰ ✰ ✰
M I G U E L’S STO RY
I WAS 16 years old when my family and I left Colombia for the United States.
When we first arrived in New York, it felt like I was in a movie. There were all differ-
ent kinds of people on the street, just like I had imagined. Right then I knew I would
like America very much. It didn’t take me long to learn to speak English, and my
English as a Second Language teacher in high school helped me very much.
When I entered the workforce I found that not being a citizen kept me from some
career opportunities, so one day on the way home from my job as a doorman, I stopped
at the New York Public Library and did some research on gaining citizenship. I was very
torn about making the decision to become an American—I love my homeland of
Colombia—but by then I had spent half my life in the United States, and I realized that
if I were anywhere else in the world and somebody asked me where I was from, I
would proudly tell them America. So, I made the decision to go for it. I found a couple
of books in the library that helped me through the process, and my sister Daniela, who
went through the naturalization process a few years earlier, was also a great help. I also
discovered that there are many non-profit organizations to assist candidates for natu-
ralization with everything from legal help to studying for the interview test.
It is important to know that all the materials and helpful people will get you
nowhere if you don’t put 100% effort into the process of becoming a citizen. It is
not particularly difficult, but there are many details and unfortunately much paper-
work and waiting in lines, and it can be a very tedious process. It took about 16
months from the first time I contacted the INS to being sworn in as a citizen, but
it varies according to each case. My advice would be to fill in the application neat-
ly and with accurate information and use the waiting time to study for the exam in
advance. Sixteen months seems like a long time, but it was within the estimated
time given me by the INS. I didn’t really know anything about American history so
I needed that time to study. The part of the test that scared me the most was try-
ing to remember the names of the nine Supreme Court Judges; my favorite part
was learning the famous quotes by patriots of the Revolution. The more informa-
tion you know regarding history, government, and economics is relevant for the
test. When I was young I probably would have dreaded the studying, but I really
enjoyed it—and it inspired me to read up on Colombian history, as well.
In the end, the oral interview was much easier than I thought, and the swearing-in
ceremony was surprisingly solemn. I am very proud to be able to call myself an
American.
✰ ✰ ✰
CHAPTER 2
Eligibility
Requirements
DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY can be one of the most confusing

parts of the naturalization process. It is also one of the most important
steps. If you are not eligible for naturalization, you cannot apply for cit-
izenship. This chapter will explain the eligibility requirements for natu-
ralization. Several of the requirements can be confusing for applicants.
These requirements will be covered in greater detail.
You must be at least 18 years old.

This requirement is clear-cut. If you are younger than 18 years old, you
are not eligible. You must wait until you turn 18 to apply for citizenship.
However, children of U.S. citizens may be eligible to derive citizenship
from their parent(s).
You must be a permanent resident of the United States,

and have been issued a Permanent Resident Card
(formerly called Alien Registration Card, and commonly
referred to as a “green card”).
If you have not been issued a Permanent Resident Card or “green card”
then you are not a permanent resident and cannot apply for citizenship.
If you think you are a permanent resident but you have not been issued
a Permanent Resident Card, you should contact your local INS office.
Be sure that you followed the three steps to becoming a permanent res-
ident properly.
You must have been a permanent resident for five years

or more (three years if married to a U.S. citizen).
If you have been a permanent resident for more than five years, you are
eligible. This means you hold a Permanent Resident Card. If you have
been a permanent resident for a period of time between three and five
years, you are eligible only if ALL of the following are true:
◆ You are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, AND

◆ You have been married to that U.S. citizen for the past three
years, or more, AND
◆ Your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least three years, AND
◆ You have not been out of the country for 18 months or more
in the last three years
If all of the following are not true, and you have been a Permanent
Resident for a period of time between three and five years, then you are
not eligible.
If you have been a permanent resident for less than three years, you
are not eligible. Also, filing taxes with the IRS as a “nonresident alien”
provides the INS with a rebuttable presumption that you have “relin-
quished/abandoned” your permanent resident status, thus making you
possibly ineligible.
Eligibility Requirements ◆ 11
During the last five years, you must NOT have been out-
side of the United States for 30 months or more.
Immigration lawyers and counselors claim that this is one of the most
confusing requirements for their clients. Essentially, you are required to
be physically present in the United States for at least half of the mini-
mum time (five years) that you are required to be a permanent resident.
You must be a permanent resident for at least five years, or 60 months.
So, you must have been physically present in the United States for 30
months, or half of that time.
To determine whether or not you are eligible, gather your travel
records from the past five years. Add up all of the time you spent out of
the country. If it is less than 30 months, you are eligible. If the time you
spent out of the country is greater than 30 months, your date of eligi-
bility will be pushed back until you have been physically present for 30
months of the past five years.
Let’s look at Maria’s situation. She was granted Permanent Resident
status on July 1, 1996. If she were not out of the country for more than
30 months between that day and June 30, 2001, she would be eligible on
June 30, 2001. If, however, she traveled to her home country three times
for a total of 32 months during that period, she would not be eligible on
June 30, 2001.
Here’s a simplification of how her date would move back:
July 1, 1996—Permanent Resident status granted

August 1–September 30, 1996—traveled outside of the United States
February 1–July 31, 1997—traveled outside of the United States
September 1,1997–January 31,1998—traveled outside of the United States
January 1–July 31, 1999—traveled outside of the United States
March 1–August 31, 2000—traveled outside of the United States
December 1, 2000–January 31, 2001—traveled outside of the United
States
As of June 30, 2001, (five years as a permanent resident) total time

spent traveling outside of the United States = 28 months. Based on this
travel, if Maria made no other trips outside of the United States, she
would be eligible on September 1, 2001.
Since becoming a permanent resident, you must not have

taken a trip out of the United States that lasted for one
year or more. (It is strongly recommended that trips out-
side of the United States last for no longer than six
months).
If you travel, or have traveled, outside of the United States for a period
of one year or longer, you must have an approved “Application to
Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes” (Form N-470). If not,
you are ineligible.
Exceptions
It’s great that the government offers the N-470 form to pre-
serve your residency status if you need to leave the country.
However, you can’t count on this getting approved. With so
many people applying for citizenship every year, the process
gets harder and harder to complete early. Just keep in mind that
if you leave the United States for over six months, you may have
to start over as you work toward getting five years of permanent
residency.
You must have resided in the district or state in which you

are applying for citizenship for the last three months.
There are no tricky calculations here. You simply must live in the dis-
trict or state for three months. If you do not fulfill this requirement, you
must wait until you do. While you are waiting, you can prepare your
application so that it is ready once you have lived in your state or dis-
trict for three months.
You must be able to read, write, and speak basic English.

There are three exceptions to this requirement. These may apply to you if:
◆ You are over age 50 and have lived in the United States for over
20 years since becoming a permanent resident, OR
◆ You have a disability preventing you from fulfilling this require-
ment. If this is true, you must file a “Medical Certification for
Disability Exceptions” (Form N-648).
You must be able to pass the civics portion of the

oral exam.
There are exceptions to this requirement, as well. These may apply to
you if:
◆ You have a disability preventing you from fulfilling this require-
ment. If this is true, you must file a “Medical Certification for
Disability Exceptions” (Form N-648).
Read Chapter 4 for more information on the language and civics sec-
tion of the oral exam.
You must be a person of good moral character.

No exceptions here! If your moral character can be disputed, you prob-
ably are not eligible. You should note that it is not worth lying about
your character and any crimes you may have committed. When you are
fingerprinted, the FBI will use your prints to run a criminal background
check on you.
✰ MORAL CHARACTER: one of the attributes or

features that make up and distinguish an individual
See the following list of examples of things that would tarnish your
good moral character.
Examples of Things that Might Show a Lack of Good

Moral Character
◆ Any crime against a person with intent to harm
◆ Any crime against property or the Government that involves
“fraud” or evil intent
◆ Two or more crimes for which the aggregate sentence was five
years or more
◆ Violating any controlled-substance law of the United States,
any state, or any foreign country
◆ Habitual drunkenness or drunk driving
◆ Illegal gambling
◆ Prostitution
◆ Polygamy (marriage to more than one person at the same time)
◆ Lying to gain immigration benefits
◆ Failing to pay court-ordered child support or alimony payments
◆ Confinement in jail, prison, or similar institution for which
the total confinement was 180 days or more during the past
five years (three years if you are applying based on your mar-
riage to a United States citizen)
◆ Failing to complete any probation, parole, or suspended sen-
tence before you apply for naturalization
◆ If you have recently been ordered deported or removed, you
are not eligible for citizenship. If you are in removal proceed-
ings, you may not apply for citizenship until the proceedings
are complete and you have been allowed to remain in the
country as a permanent resident
◆ Terrorist acts
◆ Persecution of anyone because of race, religion, national ori-
gin, political opinion, or social group
Source: www.ins.usdoj.gov
✰ FRAUD: an act of deceiving or misrepresenting
If you are male, you are required to register with the

Selective Service. In order to be eligible for naturaliza-
tion, one of the following must be true:
You are a female, OR
You are a male registered with the Selective Service, OR
You are a male who did not enter the United States under any status
until after your 26th birthday, OR
You are a male who was born before January 1, 1960, OR
You are a male who was in the United States between the ages of 18
and 26 but who did not register with the Selective Service, and you
will send a “Status Information Letter” from the Selective Service,
explaining why you did not register, with your application.
✰ SELECTIVE SERVICE: a system under which

men are called up for military service
If you are female, you do not need to worry about registering with
the Selective Service. If you are male, however, you do. This only
applies to men who entered the U.S. under any status before their
26th birthday. For some men, this requirement is more confusing
than the physical presence requirement. “Status” can mean non-
immigrant visa classification, asylee, refugee, temporary protected,
or parolee.
The background on this requirement is that U.S. Federal law requires
that all men who are at least 18, but not yet 26, register with the
Selective Service. This applies to U.S. citizens, non-citizen immigrants,
and undocumented aliens—all men living in the United States.
This requirement does not mean you are joining the U.S. military.
Many immigrants may think this is the case, but it is not. Registering
only means that you are telling the U.S. government who you are and
how to contact you if there is a national emergency requiring men to be
called to serve in the military. Keep in mind that even if there were a
national emergency at some time in the future, not all men would be
called to serve in the military.
Did You Know . . .

. . . if you are a member of the Armed Forces, you may be eligi-
ble for citizenship after only three years of permanent resi-
dence in the United States, two years faster than the custom-
ary five-year residency period. In addition, your application (the
N-400 Military Naturalization Packet) is screened by the Armed
Forces and forwarded directly to the INS, considerably speed-
ing up the application process. For more information, contact
your personnel officer or the INS.
If you entered the United States before you turned 26, you must reg-
ister or you will not be eligible for naturalization. Furthermore, if you
entered the United States before you turned 18, you must register with-
in 30 days of your 18th birthday. If you failed to register within those 30
days, or if you have not yet turned 26 and have not registered, do it now.
The Selective Service will accept late registrations only up to your 26th
birthday, so it is critical for you to fulfill this requirement immediately.
Even though late registration will be accepted, you are still in violation
of the law if you do not register within 30 days of turning 18, or within
30 days of becoming a permanent resident if you are older than 18.
To register, pick up the forms at your local post office or visit the
Selective Service website at www4.sss.gov/regver/Register1.asp.
If you registered with the Selective Service, you must provide your
Selective Service number on your application. If you have misplaced
your Selective Service number, you can call 1-847-688-6888 to get your
number.
If you are 26 or older and were required to register with the Selective
Service but did not do so, you must contact Selective Service directly.
You can call them at 1-847-688-6888 and you will be instructed to fill
out a questionnaire and receive a “Status Information Letter.”
If a man does not register with the Selective Service as per

Federal law, he is barred from:
➤ U.S. citizenship (if applying)
➤ Government jobs
➤ Federal student loans and grants for college or graduate
study
➤ JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act) Program vocational
training
You must never have deserted from the United States

Armed Forces.
If you left any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces before you were dis-
charged, you deserted. This means you are not eligible for naturalization.
You must never have received an exemption or discharge

from the United States Armed Forces on the grounds that
you are an alien.
If you had to leave the U.S Armed Forces because you are an alien, you
are not eligible for naturalization.
You must be willing to perform either military OR civilian

service for the United States if required by law.
If your religious teachings and beliefs prohibit you from performing
military service, you must be willing to perform non-military service.
You will be required to send a letter explaining why your religious
beliefs preclude you from fighting or serving in the military. Be concise
and truthful in your explanation. In your letter, you should ask for a
modified Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
✰ PROHIBIT: to prevent from doing something
If the INS accepts your request, you will take the Oath, omitting the
words “to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by
law.”
You must support the U.S. Constitution.

This is also called attachment to the Constitution. By supporting or
attaching yourself to the U.S. Constitution, you are saying that you are
willing to support the United States and the Constitution. You will
declare your support when you recite
“ . . . I will support and defend the Constitution and the laws of

the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and
domestic; that I will bear faith and allegiance to the same . . . ”
in the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
You must understand and be willing to take an Oath of

Allegiance to the United States.
You are not a citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance to the United
States! It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Oath of
Allegiance now. Get comfortable with the words and what they mean.
If you feel that you cannot, in good conscience, take the oath then you
are not ready to become a U.S. citizen.
Did You Know . . .

. . . that the U.S. law allots 226,000 green cards each year in
the family-based immigration category. Here’s why: The INS
processes immigration applications for immediate relatives
faster than for non-immediate relatives. According to the INS,
foreign nationals may be eligible to immigrate to the United
States through a family member. Family members are classified
as either immediate relatives or non-immediate relatives.

Immediate relatives will be granted a green card soon after they
apply, while non-immediate relatives must often wait years before
getting a green card. Immediate relatives are: husband or wife of a
U.S. citizen, an unmarried child (under 21) of a U.S. citizen, a par-
ent of a U.S. citizen, and a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old.
Source: www.MyCounsel.com
If you have read through this chapter and you have questions about
whether or not you are eligible, use the resources listed in Appendices A
and C. If you still question your eligibility, you may wish to consult with
an immigration lawyer. One legal resource we discovered online is
www.mycounsel.com. They offer flat-fee legal advice and will answer
some immigration and naturalization questions for free. Once you fig-
ure out your eligibility status, go on to Chapter 3 for information on
how to fill out the N-400 application to apply for citizenship.
✰ ✰ ✰
B R I G IT’S STO RY
I HAVE been living in the United States for about twenty-five years. My fami-
ly moved from England to the United States when I was eight years old. Adjusting
from a small town in the English countryside to New York City was definitely a try-
ing experience for a little girl. On my first day of school in the States it seemed like
all the American kids were trying to imitate my British accent, and all I could think
was, “You’re the ones with funny accents!” Funny accents aside, being a native
speaker of English definitely helped me to adjust to life in my new country. I
enjoyed growing up in the United States, but I never contemplated becoming a cit-
izen until the presidential elections in 1992. I was twenty-five and had made a life
for myself in the United States, and the election would directly affect me, yet
because I couldn’t vote, I had no voice in the election. That’s when I decided to
become a citizen.
Getting started was the most difficult part of the citizenship application process.
The first step I took was to call the INS hotline. I quickly discovered that it was very
hard to get information over the phone. Once my paperwork was in the system it
was a little better, although it was impossible to find out any information about the
status of my application in advance. I just had to wait until I received something in
the mail about the next step. The best advice I can give anyone applying for citi-
zenship is to be extremely patient, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
As for the test, mine was an oral interview with just ten questions, and there
was no writing required. I studied hard for the interview, but the questions I was
asked were pretty basic. I think it took about 11 months from filling out the very
first form to getting sworn in. The swearing-in ceremony was really great. I was
sworn in in Brooklyn along with about 400 others from all over the world. I was
amazed to discover that they have three ceremonies a week, each with about the
same number of new citizens. People were all dressed up with family members
there to witness their naturalization. The judge gave a great speech about how the
only pieces of paper he has on his office wall are his grandfather’s naturalization
papers and the letter appointing him as a judge. Even though I viewed the whole
process as a bureaucratic hassle up to that point, I was really touched by the cer-
emony, and very glad to become a citizen of the United States.
✰ ✰ ✰
CHAPTER 3
How to Apply
for Citizenship
YOU HAVE DECIDED that you are ready to become a U.S. citizen
and you have determined that you are fully eligible. The next step you
need to take is to apply for citizenship.
To do this, you need a Form N-400: Application for Naturalization.
You will need to contact the INS to get this form. You can contact your
local INS office, visit the INS Web site at www.ins.usdoj.gov, or call 1-
800-870-FORMS.
Advantages of Naturalization
➤ The right to vote in federal, state, and local elections
➤ Freedom from deportation—U.S. citizens cannot be deported
➤ The ability to travel with a U.S. passport, thus reducing
the need for applying for visas
➤ Greater employment opportunity—some jobs, including
government jobs, require U.S. citizenship
Completing Form N-400

For 2002, the INS has published a completely new version of the N-400
form. All older versions are unacceptable; so make sure that you are using
the current form. A sample form is included in Appendix C on page 145
of this book. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the form. You
also may want to make a few copies of it and fill out a first draft. This will
help you to be sure that you have all the information you need in order to
answer all of the questions. The form that you hand in to the INS should
be neat, easy to read, and free of errors and cross outs. In 2002 the INS is
releasing a form that can be filled out online and printed out. At the time
of publication, more information concerning the online application was
not yet available.
Part 1. Your name:

This first part asks you about your name. Here you should answer with
your current legal name. If your name on your Permanent Resident Card
is different from your legal name (even if it is misspelled on your card),
make sure you document this in question B. You will also be asked to pro-
vide any other names you may have ever used. In addition, when you are
being naturalized you have the option to legally change your name. You
can find out more about this option in the INS’s Guide to Naturalization.
Part 2. Basis for eligibility:

Here you will be asked to select the way in which you are eligible. Have
you lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least
five years? Have you lived in the United States as a lawful permanent
resident for at least three years and been married to a U.S. citizen for
those three years? Do you have qualifying military service?
Check only one box in Part 2.
Part 3. Information about you:

This part asks for basic information—the date you became a permanent
resident, date of birth, country of birth, Social Security number, and your
How to Apply for Citizenship ◆ 23
alien registration number (A-number) found on your alien registration

card. Are you married? Are you the child of U.S. citizens? Also, if you are
requesting accommodations and/or waivers of certain requirements
based on disability or impairment, this part is where you would state that
information. Be sure to answer these questions honestly!
Part 4. Addresses and telephone numbers:

This part asks you for your home and mailing addresses (if they are dif-
ferent from each other), as well as giving you the option to provide your
telephone number and e-mail addresses.
✰ A-NUMBER: your alien registration number
Part 5. Information for criminal records search:

The information asked for in this part is used, in conjunction with your
fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to search for
criminal records.
Part 6. Information about your residence and employment:

Complete this part with details about your residence and employment
for the past five years. Be specific and honest.
Part 7. Time outside the United States:

You will need to know specific details regarding your travel history to
answer the questions in this part. This means that you must provide
information about all trips outside of the United States (even if only for
a day) for the preceding five (or three) year period, as of the date of your
application. Attach additional sheets of paper, if necessary.
Part 8. Information about your marital history:

If you are married, you will need to provide information about your
spouse including his or her name, address, date of birth, country of
birth, citizenship, and Social Security number. You also need to provide
your spouse’s A-number, immigration status, and information about
naturalization, if these are applicable.
If you or your spouse has been married previously, you will need to
provide information on those marriages.
Part 9. Information about your children:

This part requires information regarding the total number of children
you have, if any. If you have children, you will provide their full name,
date and country of birth, citizenship, A-number, and address.
Part 10. Additional questions:

This part asks 39 questions designed to determine what additional eli-
gibility factors apply to you, if any. These are in addition to those listed
in Part 2. Check yes or no to answer each question. You will be asked to
list any and all organizations, funds, groups, clubs, etc., to which you
belong or have belonged in the past. If you have never belonged to any
clubs, check no in the space provided. In Part 10 you will also find a sec-
tion with six questions called Oath Requirements that questions the level
of your commitment to the United States. If you answer no to any of the
questions, you will have to supply an explanation for your answer on a
separate sheet. Again, it is important that you answer each question
honestly.
Providing honest answers is essential to the process. The bottom line
is to understand what you are being asked and to answer the questions
accurately. It is advisable to provide explanations to any questions
regarding circumstances and final results of arrest and any supporting
documents.
Part 11. Signature:

Make sure you sign your application! Your application will not be
accepted if it is not signed.
Part 12. Signature of person preparing form if other

than above:
If you have someone prepare your form for you, this person will have to
sign your application form as well.
Part 13. Signature at interview:

This part requires you and your interviewer to sign at the time and
place of your interview. Do not complete this section until you are
instructed to do so by the person interviewing you.
Part 14. Oath of Allegiance:

By signing this final part, you acknowledge your willingness to take the
Oath of Allegiance if your application is accepted. As with Part 13, do
not complete this section until you are instructed to do so by the per-
son interviewing you.
After you have filled out your form, review it and make sure you have
completed all of the questions honestly and completely. Put your name
and A-number on any additional sheets that you have attached to your
application.
Note: It is critical that you answer all questions. If you do not, the INS
may have to send your application back to you so you can complete it.
This can considerably delay your application.
Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter should list the information included in your applica-
tion. If you are sending only a Form N-400, you should write that. If
you are sending additional forms, list them. This also is your opportu-
nity to request that your interview/test be given at the same time and
place as another applicant, if you wish. Be sure to include the applicant’s
name and A-number.
On the next page is a sample cover letter to help you create your own
letter.
Antonio A. Gianninni
314 West 178 Street, #4R
New York, NY 10024
212-555-5434
Alien Registration #A0123456789
November 17, 2001
U.S. Department of Justice

Immigration and Naturalization Service
Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden Street
Saint Albans, VT 05479-9400
To Whom It May Concern:
Please accept my enclosed and complete Application

for Naturalization. Included with my application you
will find 1) a photocopy of my Alien Registration
Card, 2) three color photographs as per your
specifications, 3) a photocopy of my passport, and 4)
a check for $310.00 U.S. dollars for the application
and fingerprinting fees, payable to the Immigration
and Naturalization Service.
If possible, I would like to request that my interview

be scheduled at the same time and place as my wife,
Alba Gianninni, Alien Registration #A0987654321.
I thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Antonio Antonello Gianninni
Enclosures.
Payment
Please double check with your service center, as some may prefer checks
to be made out to the U.S. Treasury. Your payment will consist of a
$260.00 filing fee and a $50.00 fingerprinting fee. These fees can be com-
bined in one payment of $310.00. (Check with the INS before sending
money to make sure this fee hasn’t increased since the publishing of this
book.) You will make a check or money order payable to the Immigration
and Naturalization Service. The INS does not accept cash. Be sure that
you send only a check or a money order. Whether you send a check or a
money order, your payment must be drawn on a bank or institution
located in the United States and must be payable in U.S. dollars.
There are two exceptions to the above. If you live in Guam, you should
make your check or money order payable to “Treasurer, Guam.” If you live
in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you should make your check or money order
payable to “Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands.”
Photographs
You are required to submit three photographs of yourself along with
your application. These should be color photos taken within 30 days of
submitting your application. The photos should measure 2 x 2 inches.
You can get your pictures taken at any place where passport photos are
done. Check the Yellow Pages in your local phone book.
Specifically, INS requires that your photos:
◆ Are glossy, unretouched, and unmounted

◆ Have a white background
◆ Show a face dimension of about 1 inch from chin to top of hair
3
◆ Show a 4 frontal view of the right side of your face with your right
ear visible (see INS Guide to Naturalization, page 33 for details)
You should write your name and A-number on the back of each photo.
Try to do so lightly so that your writing pressure does not damage the
front of the photo. Refer to Form M-378 on page 183 in Appendix C for
exact requirements.
Permanent Resident Card (Alien Registration Receipt

Card or “Green Card”)
Make a photocopy of the front and back of your card. This copy should
be clear enough so that anyone looking at it can easily read all informa-
tion. Also, photocopy your passport information.
Red Tape
Often, government agencies have very formal procedures that
don’t seem to have an immediately clear reason for existence.
In the United States, we call this form of bureaucracy “red tape.”
Having to handle red tape can lead to frustration. When you find
yourself losing your temper because of red tape, imagine your-
self tangled up in miles of red masking tape. This should make
you laugh or smile, defusing your anger.
✰ BUREAUCRACY: a system of administration

marked by strict adherence to many rules
Assembling Your Application

Before you assemble your application and mail it, use this checklist to
ensure you have all of the required elements:
Application Checklist
_____ Cover letter
_____ Complete Form N-400
_____ One check for $310.00 payable to the Immigration
and Naturalization Service to cover the filing fee of
$260.00 and fingerprint fee of $50.00
_____ Three color photographs, 2" x 2"
_____ Copy of the front and back of your Permanent
Resident Card (green card)
_____ Supporting documents, such as income tax returns
_____ Envelope addressed to the INS Service Center with
jurisdiction over your state
Once your application is complete, you should make a photocopy of

every page. Keep your copies in a safe place. It is recommended that you
use the return receipt option at the post office or a delivery confirma-
tion from express carrier.
Where to Send Your Application

There are four INS Service Centers that accept Form N-400. Where you
will send your application depends upon where you currently live. Use
the following list to determine where to send your application.
If you live in:

Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
New Mexico
North Carolina
South Carolina
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Texas
You will send your application to:

USINS Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 851204
Mesquite, TX 75185-1204
If you live in:

Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia (Washington, DC)
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
Vermont
U.S. Virgin Islands
Virginia
West Virginia

USINS Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479-9400
If you live in:

Arizona
California
Guam
Hawaii
Nevada

USINS California Service Center
P.O. Box 10400
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0400
If you live in:

Alaska
Colorado
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
South Dakota
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

USINS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87400
Lincoln, NE 68501-7400
After You Have Submitted Your Application

The first thing that will happen after you submit your application is that
you will receive a letter from the INS telling you when and where to go
to be fingerprinted. You should make every attempt to go to this
appointment and not reschedule. At every step in this process, resched-
uling causes long delays. Bring your appointment letter with you when
you go to be fingerprinted. Also, you also should bring your Permanent
Residence Card and another photo ID. We will discuss fingerprinting
again in the next chapter.
Changing Your Address

It is important that you notify the INS every time you change
your address after you have submitted your application. If you
don’t, INS correspondence—such as your interview appointment

notification—will be sent to your old address. This could set your
application back months, or even years. It is recommended that
applicants try not to move until the interview takes place. It
sometimes takes months for a change of address form to get
associated with your file.
The INS will inform you of your interview/oral exam date in an offi-
cial letter. Keep this letter with the copies of your application. Remember,
it is critical that you keep all of this information in a safe place.
The next chapter will introduce you to some of the types of questions
you will be expected to answer during your interview. Use this infor-
mation as a starting place for your interview/oral exam preparation.
Tips for Assembling Your Application

_____ Print clearly with black ink or, better yet, type your
answers. When the Adobe Acrobat version of the appli-
cation is available, it is recommended that you use it.
_____ Check your application for spelling errors.
_____ Double-check your application to be sure that you
have completed all items on the form.
_____ Before inserting your application into the mailing
envelope, make copies of every page. Keep these
copies in a safe place for future reference.
_____ Make your check payable to the Immigration and
Naturalization Service—do not send cash.
_____ Clearly mark both the envelope and your cover letter
with the form type: N-400 Application for
Naturalization.
_____ Use the correct mailing address.
_____ Gather all supporting documents and include copies.
When you go to your INS interview, you will be asked many questions
based on the answers you submit on your N-400. Sometimes, answers
will change from the time you filled out the N-400 form until the time
that you have your interview. Be prepared to explain any discrepancies,

and remember to make a copy of your N-400 form so that you can
review it prior to your interview. In addition, provide a list of any excur-
sions outside of the United States since the filing the N-400. Remember,
you are still subject to the Physical Presence and Continuous Residency
requirement until the time of your naturalization interview.
✰ DISCREPANCY: divergence or disagreement, as

between facts or claims; difference
Checklist
Documents you may need to include with your N-400:
All applicants must send:

_____ A photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident
Card (previously known as Alien Registration Card);
3
_____ Three color photographs (4 frontal image); AND
_____ A check or money order for $310.00
If an attorney or accredited representative is acting

on your behalf, send:
_____ Form G-28, “Notice of Entry of Appearance as
Attorney or Representative.”
If your current name is different than the name on

your Permanent Resident Card, send:
_____ The document which legally changed your name (mar-
riage license, divorce decree, OR court document) OR
a detailed explanation of why you use a different
name.
If you are applying for naturalization on the basis of

marriage to a U.S. citizen, send:
_____ Proof that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at
least the past three years (birth certificate, naturaliza-
tion certificate, certificate of citizenship, copy of the
inside of the front cover and signature part of your
spouse’s valid U.S. passport, OR Form FS240, “Report

of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of
America”);
_____ Your current marriage certificate;
_____ Proof of termination of ALL of yours and your
spouse’s prior marriages (divorce decree OR death
certificate); AND
_____ An original IRS Form 1722 listing tax information for
the past three years OR copies of the income tax
form you filed for the past three years.
✰ DECREE: an order usually having the force of law
If you have ever been in the United States military,

send:
_____ An original Form N-426, “Request for Certification of
Military or Naval Service;” AND
_____ An original Form G-325B, “Biographic Information.”
If you have taken a trip outside the United States

that lasted for six months or more since becoming a
permanent resident, send:
_____ An original IRS Form 1722 listing tax information for
the past five years (or for the past three years if you
are applying on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen)
OR copies of income tax returns filed in the last three
years.
If you have a dependent spouse or children, and

have been ordered to provide financial support, send:
_____ Copies of the court or government order to provide
financial support; AND
_____ Evidence that you have complied with the court or
government order (cancelled checks, money order
receipts, a court or agency printout of child support

payments, OR evidence of wage garnishments).
If you have ever been arrested or detained by any

law enforcement officer for any reason and NO
charges were filed, send:
_____ An official statement from the arresting agency or
applicable court indicating that no charges were filed.
It is recommended that individuals with any criminal
issues consult an attorney (not a paralegal/notary).
Serious consequences, such as possible initiation of
deportation proceedings may occur.
If you have ever been arrested or detained by any

law enforcement officer for any reason and charges
were filed, send:
_____ An original or certified copy of the complete court dis-
position for each incident (dismissal order, conviction
record, OR acquittal order).
If you have ever been convicted or placed in an

alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative pro-
gram, send:
_____ The sentencing record for each incident; AND
_____ Evidence that you completed your sentence (proba-
tion record, parole record, OR evidence that you com-
pleted an alternative sentencing program or rehabilita-
tive program).
If you have ever had any arrest or conviction vacat-

ed, set aside, sealed, expunged, or otherwise
removed from your record, send:
_____ An original or certified copy of the court order vacat-
ing, settling aside, sealing, expunging, or otherwise
removing the arrest or conviction.
✰ EXPUNGED: to be erased or struck out
If you have ever failed to file an income tax return

when it was required by law, send:
_____ Copies of all correspondence with the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) regarding your failure to file.
If you have any federal, state, or local taxes that are

overdue, send:
_____ A signed agreement from the IRS, state, or local tax
office showing that you have filed a tax return and
arranged to pay the taxes you owe; AND
_____ Documentation from the IRS, state, or local tax office
showing the current status of your repayment
program.
If you are applying for a disability exception to the

testing requirement, send:
_____ An original Form N-648, “Medical Certification for
Disability Exceptions,” completed by a licensed med-
ical doctor or licensed clinical psychologist. (A list of
INS-approved physicians may be obtained from the
INS office or website.)
If you did not register with the Selective Service and

you 1) are male, 2) are 26 years of age or older, and
3) lived in the united States other than as a lawful
nonimmigrant between the ages of 18 and 26, send:
_____ A “Status Information Letter” from the Selective
Service (call 1-847-688-6888 for more information).
Source: U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, A Guide to Naturalization,

U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington, DC, 1999, p. 34
If you know for sure that you are prepared to accept all the responsi-
bilities that becoming a citizen of the United States entails, then you are
ready to start on your path to citizenship. Remember, before you can
apply for naturalization you must first determine if you’re eligible. Once
you are sure that you are eligible, your next step is obtaining and filling
out the INS’s Form N-600. Before you set out to fill out this form, gath-
er any and all information about yourself that you have collected since
you arrived in the United States. This includes all marriage certificates,
birth certificates of your children (if you have any), all documents you
may have received from the government, and so forth. Know your A-
number, and know the A-numbers of your spouse and your children if
they have any. If you are a male under the age of 26, make sure you are
registered with the Selective Service. If you are not registered, YOU ARE
NOT ELIGIBLE, and you won’t be until you register. Most important-
ly, be honest when answering these questions. And don’t rush through
them. If you read through the directions carefully, and take your time
answering each question thoughtfully, you’ll be fine. Good luck!
✰ ✰ ✰
R AVI’S STO RY
I MADE the decision to leave India and come to the United States when I was
twenty-five years old. It was quite a scary proposition, because I would be leaving
my friends and family behind and going to a huge country where I did not know a
soul. My mother and father were worried about me going alone, but growing up I
had heard stories of men who moved from India to America and became extreme-
ly successful and prosperous—I was determined to do the same; and when I did I
would send for my parents. I learned to speak English as a child, and it was a small
comfort for me to know that at least I would be able to communicate when I
arrived in New York.
It was very hard at first, but I quickly discovered that there was a large Indian
community in New York, and I met many people from all over the world who had
come to America with the same dream as me, and most were more than happy to
help me out as others had done for them when they first arrived. My first few years
here were spent working at any job I could find at night, and then going to school
during the day. There were some days I thought I would never make it, but even-
tually my hard work paid off and now I am a pharmacist, have a family of my own,
and was finally able to afford to send for my parents. They were very proud. I will
never forget the look on my father’s face when he came here. It was worth all the
years of hardship.
I was living in the United States for quite a while before I decided to become
a citizen. Twenty-seven years had passed, and America had truly become my home
country—I wanted to be able to vote, travel as an American without worrying about
obtaining visas, and when the time comes, to be able to properly plan my estate. I
spoke to a few friends who had already gone through the process, and they told
me to go to an INS office. The hardest part was filling out the paperwork and wait-
ing in the lines. At first, I was afraid of doing poorly on the history portion of the
interview, so I decided to study using a citizenship book and some previous ques-
tionnaires from friends who were already citizens. In the end, understanding the
U.S. Constitution and learning American history became one of my favorite parts
of the whole process. But nothing beat the feeling of seeing the other happy faces
during the swearing-in ceremony. It was at that moment that I truly realized I had
fulfilled my dream. The most important piece of advice I can offer to someone who
wants to become a U.S. citizen is to get going soon and do it. It is important and
it is worthwhile.
✰ ✰ ✰
CHAPTER 4
The INS Interview

and Oral
Exam/Sample
Questions and
Answers
AFTER YOU HAVE completed the naturalization process, you
must wait for notification from the INS regarding your next step.
✰ NOTIFICATION: something, such as a letter, by

which notice is given
After the N-400 Is Filed

Typically, it can take a few months to hear from the INS. If you haven’t
heard from the INS in writing for over 90 days, it is a good idea to call
the INS toll-free number, 1-800-375-5283, for assistance and to ensure
that they have received your N-400 application.
In many cases, it’s normal for the INS to call or write to you for more
information on your case if the answers you provided are unclear or
confusing in some way. Sometimes, the INS will return your N-400
application if information is missing or incomplete. Again, it is very

important to fill out the N-400 completely and accurately. If the INS
contacts you, respond within the allotted time. If you don’t, your appli-
cation may be considered abandoned.
When the INS does contact you, remember to refer to the copy of
the filled-out N-400 that you kept for your records. This will help to
make the procedure run smoothly for you. If your N-400 is in order,
the INS will contact you in approximately 90 to 120 days. They will
send you written notification to appear at the INS office in your area
for fingerprinting.
Fingerprinting
The fingerprinting appointment is usually for a specific week, not an
appointed day and time. You should try very hard to make this appoint-
ment at your allotted time. Sometimes, the INS office has a make-up
day where candidates can show up for fingerprinting. You could wait
around for a long time if you live in an urban area, so this is to be
avoided.
Your fingerprints are then forwarded to the FBI for clearance, along
with your file. The FBI will conduct a complete background check for a
criminal past both within the United States and abroad to ensure that
you do not have any warrants out for arrest and to verify further the
information you provided on the N-400. Getting clearance from the
FBI can take 60 to 90 days, so be patient. Once you have clearance from
the FBI, your INS interview will be scheduled.
After FBI clearance, you will receive a written notification of your
INS interview date and time. The date of the interview can be anywhere
from one to two and a half years from the date you receive it. You should
do everything you can to make sure that you will be able to appear on
this date. Attempting to change the assigned date could lead to major
delays in your process.
Did You Know . . .

. . . that between 1990 and 2000, the Hispanic population in
the United States grew by over 13 million people, or 58%.
The INS Interview and Oral Exam ◆ 41
The INS Interview

Keep in mind that the INS interview is not just to test your knowledge
of U.S. history and government. The INS examiner is charged with:
◆ Verifying the accuracy of your N-400 application

◆ Ensuring that you have good moral character
◆ Making sure that you can read, write, understand, and speak
English
However, if you are exempt from the language portion for a legiti-
mate reason, it will be noted in your file, and the INS examiner will not
test you in those areas.
What to Bring to Your Interview

While it is natural to be nervous, remember that if you have stud-
ied and prepared thoroughly for your interview, you should have
nothing to worry about. One way to ensure that you are prepared
is to gather ahead of time all of the items you’ll need to bring to
your interview. You should bring all of the following documents—
both originals and copies for all the INS to keep with your records.
These should be original or certified copies and in English. If your
documents are not in English, a certified translator must translate
them and they must be marked as such. Translators cannot be an
interested party, friend, or family member.
➤ Photo identification
➤ Permanent Resident card
➤ Passport
➤ Any travel documents issued by the INS
➤ Copies of your tax returns from the past five years
➤ Selective Service registration card (if you are male)
➤ Any arrest reports, certified court dispositions, or proba-
tion reports that you might have
➤ If you have arranged to take an alternate Oath of
Allegiance for religious reasons, you should bring support-
ing documents (letter from your religious organization)
➤ Proof of support of all minor children residing outside of

your home (cancelled checks, money orders, court docu-
ments)
As you proceed with the interview, some information, such as a job, or

address, or even an area code may have changed since you filed the N-400.
This is perfectly normal. The INS officer will simply make the change in
your file and continue with the interview. There is no reason to lie about
a change in job or address—it will not put your application at risk.
Remember, as you answer the questions about your N-400 applica-
tion, the examiner is not just verifying your information; he or she is
also assessing your ability to listen and understand English, as well as
your ability to speak correctly in English.
Next, the INS examiner tests you on a selection from the official U.S.
history and civics questions. (The complete list of official INS questions
and answers appear in Chapter 5.)
Making a Study Plan

To pass the citizenship oral interview, you need a study plan that
will help you prepare. Follow these directions.
Step 1: Set a time frame

You should allow anywhere from six to 12 months to prepare
for the citizenship test.
Step 2: Get the correct information

Check filing dates for the test. Double-check your informa-
tion. Read the directions and suggestions for success that
come with the papers you receive from the INS.
Step 3: Get all your materials

Find some review books or other materials you might need
to prepare for the test. Try Pass the U.S. Citizenship Exam. If
you have access to the Internet, you can find information
online. Find out if there are any citizenship preparation
courses available to you in your community.
Step 4: Make a study schedule

Below, you will see a study schedule chart. Fill it out, and
stick to your plan.
Step 5: Stick to your plan and reward yourself for it

Treat yourself to an afternoon walk, a candy bar, a long
phone chat with a friend—anything that will reward you for
maintaining a good study schedule. It isn’t easy and you
should pat yourself on the back when you can stick to your
routine for some period of time.
Create a Study Plan Schedule

When you find out when your appointment is, answer the ques-
tions below. When you’re finished, you will have a study schedule.
The test I need to take is

It will be held on
It will be given at this time
The test site is located at
Three questions I have about the test are:
I plan to study for this test as follows:

Six months before the test:
Five months before the test:
Four months before the test:
Three months before the test:
Three months before the test:
Two months before the test:
One month before the test:
Two weeks before the test:
One week before the test:
Two days before the test:
The day before the test:
Typical N-400 Questions and Answers

Here are some examples of the many questions, with sample answers,
that you may be asked during your INS interview or on the N-400
application form when you apply for naturalization. Practice answering
the questions using your own information. Have a partner read the
questions out loud to you so you can practice answering them.
Question: Do you understand what an oath is?

Answer: Yes, it is a promise to tell the truth.
Question: What is your complete name?

Answer: My name is Jorge Alfonso Mendoza.
Question: What is your name?

Answer: Jorge Alfonso Mendoza.
Question: What is your address?

Answer: My address is 97000 Fort Washington Avenue, New York,
New York 10032.
Question: Where do you live?

Answer: I live at 97000 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, New York
10032.
Question: What is your home phone number?

Answer: My home phone number is 212-555-5555.
Question: What is your telephone number at home?

Answer: It is 212-555-5555.
Question: Do you have a work telephone number?

Answer: Yes, my work number is 212-555-0000.
Question: What is your work phone number?

Answer: My work phone number is 212-555-0000.
Question: Do you have a work number?

Answer: No, I am not currently working.
Question: May I see your passport?

Answer: Yes, here it is.
Question: Do you have your passport with you?

Answer: Yes, I do.
Question: What is your current citizenship?

Answer: I am currently a citizen of Mexico.
Question: Your current citizenship is?

Answer: Mexican.
Question: What is your date of birth?

Answer: I was born on February 22, 1967.
Question: When were you born?

Answer: On February 22, 1967.
Question: What is your birth date?

Answer: My birth date is February 22, 1967.
Question: Where were you born?

Answer: I was born in Mexico.
Question: What is your place of birth?

Question: What is your birth place?

Question: What is your marital status?

Answer: I am married.

Answer: I am single.

Answer: I am divorced.
Question: Are you married?

Answer: No, I am single.
Question: Are you married?

Answer: Yes, I am married.
Question: Have you ever been previously married?

Answer: Yes, I was married for one year when I lived in Mexico.
Question: Is your husband a United States citizen?

Answer: No, he is not a United States citizen.
Question: Is your wife a United States citizen?

Answer: Yes, she is.
Question: Why did you get a divorce?

Answer: She did not want to have children and I did.
Question: How long have you been married?

Answer: I have been married for ten years.
Question: How long have you been a permanent resident of the

United States?
Answer: I have been a resident for 11 years.
Question: When did you first come to the United States?

Answer: I arrived in the United States in 1989.
Question: On what date did you enter the United States?

Answer: I arrived in the United States on September 5, 1989.
Question: How long have you lived in the United States?

Answer: I have lived in the United States for ten years.
Question: Where did you enter the United States?

Answer: I entered the United States in New York City.
Question: What was your port of entry?

Answer: JFK airport in New York City.
Question: In what port of entry did you arrive in America?

Answer: My port of entry was the Los Angeles airport.
Question: What was your port of entry?

Answer: I crossed the United States border in San Ysidro, near San
Diego, California.
Words and Terms to Know/Palabras Importantes

This list contains important citizenship terms and their definitions.
Study this list to learn what each word means. Being familiar with these
words will help you pass the citizenship exam.
Word Spanish What It Means

Version
A
abolish eliminar to destroy completely
address dirección where you live
adopted adoptado put into effect
advise aconsejar to give help to
affiliated afiliado linked or connected
alienage extranjería status of being a foreign-born
resident
allies aliados friends during war time
amendments enmiendas changes
appointed nombrado chosen or selected
arrested arrestado formally charged by a police officer
asylum asilo protection and immunity from
extradition granted by a government
to a political refugee from another
country
B
banner bandera flag
basic belief creencia fundamental main idea, most important part
bear arms portar armas carry a gun or weapon
benefits beneficios good things, advantages
Bill of Rights la Declaración de Derechos first ten amendments of the
Constitution that tell the rights you
have
birth place lugar de nacimiento country where you were born
born nacer when a baby comes into the world
branches divisiones separate parts
C
Cabinet Gabinete fourteen people who help the
President make decisions
capital capital city where the government is located
Capitol Capitolio where Congress meets
chief justice juez principal head of the Supreme Court

citizen ciudadano A native, inhabitant, or denizen of a
particular place.
citizenship ciudadanía the country where you have the right
to fully participate in the benefits
and laws of that country
civil rights leader líder de derechos civiles person who helps others believe in
justice for all races of people
Civil War la Guerra de Secesión war between the North and South
claimed pretendido said something was true; pretended
colonies colonias original thirteen states in America
Communist Comunista person who belongs to a party that
wants common ownership of
property
Congress el Congreso people who make our laws
conscientious objeción de conciencia reasons a person will not fight in a
objections war
Constitution la Constitución supreme law of the United States
crime delito breaking the law
D
Declaration of la Declaración de la written statement saying the
Independence Independencia colonies wanted to be free from
England
democracy democracia government of, by, and for the people
Democratic República Democrática the form of the U.S. government
Republic
deported deportado a judge in court ordered you to go
back to your first country
deserted desertado left the military without permission
different distinto another
drafted llamado a filas asked to be a soldier
E
Electoral College Colegio Electoral group who elects the President
Emancipation la Proclamación de la written statement of freedom
Proclamation Emancipación de los
esclavos
employer patrón the name of the company or person
you work for
enemies enemigos people we fight in a war
executive branch poder ejecutivo the part of the government made up
of the President, Vice President, and
Cabinet
exemption exención to stay out of

explain explicar to give detailed information
F, G, H
false testimony testimonio falso tell a lie
governor gobernador leader of a state
head executive director ejecutivo the leader or person in charge
I
illegal ilegales against the law
inaugurated investido sworn into office
income tax impuesto sobre la renta if you work in America, this is the
money you pay to the government
incompetent incompetente not mentally capable (crazy)
independence independencia freedom
Independence Day el Día de la Independencia July 4th
interpret interpretar to explain
introduction introducción the beginning
J, L
job deber work or duty
judicial branch poder judicial the part of the government that
includes the Supreme Court
legislative branch poder legislativo Congress
liberty libertad freedom
M
maiden name apellido de soltera a woman’s last name before getting
married
marital status estado civil if you are single, married, or divorced
mayor alcalde leader of a city
mental institution manicomio hospital for people who are mentally
disabled
minimum mínimo the lowest number allowed
N
national anthem himno nacional song about America
national importance interés nacional helpful to the United States
Native Americans Indio Americano people who lived in America when
the pilgrims arrived
natural born citizen ciudadano de nacimiento person who is born in a country
noncombatant servicio de combate no help the military but not fight
service
O
oath juramento promise to tell the truth
Oath of Allegiance Juramento de Lealtad officially swear to help the United
States
occupation ocupación the name of your job
P
passport pasaporte an official government document
that certifies one’s identity and
citizenship and permits a citizen to
travel abroad
persecution persecución hurt someone because of their race,
religion, national origin, or political
opinion
Pilgrims peregrinos people who came to America on a
ship called the Mayflower
political party partido político group with similar ideas about
government
port of entry puerto de entrada place where you arrived in the
country
preamble preámbulo the introduction to the Constitution
R
re-elected reelegido voted into office again
registered inscrito officially signed up to do something
represent representar to stand for
representatives representantes people who work in the House of
Representatives
Revolutionary War la Guerra de la war between the thirteen colonies
Independencia and England
S
senators senadores people who work in the Senate
slave esclavo someone who is owned by another
person
smuggle pasar de contrabando to illegally sneak someone or
something into the country
Supreme Court el Tribunal Supremo highest court in the United States
T
term período how long someone works in
government
tried juzgado put through a trial with a judge and jury
U, W
union unión United States of America
united unido together as one
warrant orden judicial official permission from a judge
White House Casa Blanca place where President lives while
serving as President
Question: When did you become a permanent resident?

Answer: I became a permanent resident in 1992.
Question: In what year did you arrive in the United States?

Answer: I came to America in 1989.
Question: Who is your employer?

Answer: I am unemployed right now.
Question: Why aren’t you working?

Answer: I was laid off from my last job, and I’m looking for a new
job.
Question: Who is your current employer?

Answer: My employer is Spa, Inc.
Question: Who do you currently work for?

Answer: I work for Spa, Inc.
Question: Are you currently working?

Answer: Yes, I work for Spa, Inc.
Question: What kind of work do you do?

Answer: I work for Spa, Inc. as a physical therapist.
Question: Do you have a job?

Answer: Yes, I work at Spa, Inc.
Question: What is your occupation?

Answer: I am a physical therapist.
Question: What kind of income do you have?

Answer: I get an income from working for Spa, Inc.
Question: How do you support yourself?

Answer: I work for Spa Inc.
Question: How long have you held this job?

Answer: I have had this job for three years.
Question: Who was your employer before that?

Answer: I used to work for U.S. Airlines.
Question: What job did you have there?

Answer: I worked as a flight attendant.
Question: How many children do you have?

Answer: I have three children.
Question: Do your children live with you?

Answer: Yes, my children live in my home.
Question: How many people live in your house?

Answer: Five people: myself, my husband, and three children.
Question: Who do you live with?

Answer: I live with my husband and three children.
Question: Where do your children live?

Answer: My children live with me in Manhattan.
Question: Did any of your children stay in your native country?

Answer: No, all of my children live with me here in Manhattan.
Question: When were your children born?

Answer: One was born in 1993, one in 1995, and one in 1998.
Question: Were they all born in the United States?

Answer: Yes, they were born in America.
Question: How many times have you left the United States since you
became a permanent resident?
Answer: I went out of America only one time.
Question: How long were you away?

Answer: I was gone for three weeks.
Question: Where did you go?

Answer: I went to visit my grandmother in Mexico City.
Question: Why did you leave the United States?

Answer: I wanted to visit my grandmother in Mexico City because
she was dying.
Question: Since becoming a permanent resident, have you ever left

the United States?
Answer: I left only once to go visit my grandmother in Mexico.
Question: When was the last time you left the United States?
Answer: I went to Mexico two years ago.
Question: Have you left the United States since you became a perma-
nent resident?
Answer: No, I’ve never left the United States.
Question: Since coming to the United States, have you traveled to any
other country?
Answer: No, I’ve never left the United States.
Question: Have you visited any other country since becoming a per-
manent resident?
Answer: Yes, I went to Mexico to visit my grandmother one time.
Question: Have you ever been deported by the Immigration office?

Answer: No, I have never been ordered to leave America.
Question: Were you ever ordered to leave the United States?

Answer: No, I have never been deported.
Question: Have you ever used a different name?

Answer: Yes, my last name used to be Martinez.
Question: Do you want to change your name?

Answer: Yes, I want to change my last name to Martin.
Question: What other names have you gone by?

Answer: I used to be called Miranda Ruiz Martinez.
Question: To what do you want to change your name?

Answer: I want my new name to be Miranda Martin.
Question: What name do you want to have now?

Answer: Miranda Martin.
Question: How do you spell that?

Answer: M-i-r-a-n-d-a M-a-r-t-i-n.
Question: What other names have you used in the past?

Answer: I’ve never used any other names.
Question: What was your maiden name?

Answer: Before I was married, my name was Miranda Ruiz.
Question: What other names have you used in the past?

Answer: Before I was married my name was Miranda Ruiz.
Question: When did you change your name?

Answer: I changed my name ten years ago when I was married.
Question: Why do you want to be an American citizen?

Answer: I want to vote in elections.
Question: Why do you want to be a U.S. citizen?

Answer: I want to travel with a U.S. passport.
Question: Why have you applied for naturalization?

Answer: I want to bring my mother to America.
Question: Were you ever arrested?

Answer: No, I have never been arrested.
Question: Were you ever arrested?

Answer: Yes, a long time ago.
Question: What were you arrested for?

Answer: I borrowed a car without asking the owner.
Question: How about any other arrests?

Answer: No, that was the only time I was arrested.
Question: Have you ever committed any crime for which you have
not been arrested?
Answer: No, I’ve never committed any crimes.
Question: Have you ever been imprisoned for breaking any law?
Answer: I was in jail for three months for using my neighbor’s car
without permission.
Question: When was that?

Answer: During the winter of 1989.
Question: Have you ever failed to file a federal income tax return?
Answer: No, I have always filed my taxes.
Question: Have you filed your federal taxes every year?

Answer: Yes, I pay my taxes every year.
Question: Do you pay taxes?

Answer: Yes, I pay federal and state taxes each year.
Question: Was there ever a year when you didn’t file your federal tax
forms?
Answer: No, I’ve filed my tax forms every year since I came to
America.
Question: Was there ever a year when you didn’t file your federal tax
forms?
Answer: Yes, I didn’t file my first two years in America because I
made no money.
Question: Do you pay taxes?

Answer: No, I don’t have a job so I don’t pay federal income taxes.
Question: Have you ever been a habitual drunkard?

Answer: No, I drink only occasionally.
Question: Were you ever drunk every day?

Answer: No, I drink only one or two glasses of wine a week.
Question: Have you ever advocated or practiced polygamy?

Answer: No, I have only one wife.
Question: Have you ever been married to more than one person at a
time?
Answer: No, I have always had only one husband.
Question: Have you ever practiced polygamy?

Answer: No, I am not married, and I have never been married.
Question: Have you ever been a prostitute?

Answer: No, I don’t sell my body.
Question: Have you ever been a prostitute?

Answer: No, I’ve never taken money for sex.
Question: Have you ever sold your body for money?

Answer: No, I’ve never been a prostitute.
Question: Have you ever knowingly and for gain helped any alien to
enter the United States illegally?
Answer: No, I have never smuggled anyone into the country.
Question: Have you ever helped someone enter the United States
illegally?
Answer: No, I have never smuggled anyone into the country.
Question: Have you ever smuggled anyone into the United States?
Answer: No, I have never helped anyone enter the United States
illegally.
Question: Have you ever accepted money for sneaking someone into
the United States?
Answer: No, I have never helped anyone enter the United States
illegally.
Question: Have you ever been a trafficker in illegal drugs?

Answer: No, I have never touched illegal drugs.
Question: Have you ever bought or sold illegal drugs?

Answer: No, I am not a drug user or a drug trafficker.
Question: Have you ever carried illegal drugs for someone else?
Answer: No, I have never handled illegal drugs.
Question: Have you ever been a trafficker in cocaine or any other

narcotics?
Answer: No, I have never sold or carried drugs.
Question: Have you ever bought or sold marijuana or speed?

Answer: No, I have never purchased or sold illegal drugs.
Question: Have you ever received income from illegal gambling?

Answer: No, I don’t gamble.
Question: Did you ever get money illegally from gambling?

Answer: No, I don’t bet for money.
Question: Have you ever received money from illegal gambling?

Answer: No, I don’t play cards in anyone’s house.
Question: Have you ever received money or other goods from illegal
gambling?
Answer: No, I don’t bet on anything.
Question: Have you ever claimed in writing or in any other way to be

a U.S. citizen?
Answer: No, I have never lied about my status.

a U.S. citizen?
Answer: No, I never said I was a U.S. citizen.
Question: Have you ever pretended to be a U.S. citizen?

Answer: No, I have never lied about my citizenship.
Question: Have you ever claimed in writing to be a U.S. citizen?

Answer: No, I have never pretended to be an American citizen.

a U.S. citizen?
Answer: No, I am not a U.S. citizen.
Question: Have you ever voted or registered to vote in the United States?
Answer: No, I have never tried to vote because I am not a U.S. citizen.
Question: Have you ever voted or registered to vote in the United

States?
Answer: No, I am not a U.S. citizen.
Question: Have you ever voted or registered to vote in the United States?
Answer: No, I have never tried to vote in the United States.
Question: Do you believe in the Constitution and the government of

the United States?
Answer: Yes, I think the Constitution is a good law.
Question: Do you believe in the Constitution of the United States?

Answer: Yes, I want to follow the Constitution.
Question: Do you believe in the government of the United States?

Answer: Yes, I think the government is very good.
Question: Do you believe in the Constitution and the government of

the United States?
Answer: Yes, I believe that the Constitution is a good law.
Question: Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance to the
United States?
Answer: Yes, I am ready to help my new country.
United States?
Answer: Yes, I promise to help my new country. I can’t help my old
country.
United States?
Answer: Yes, I want to do what is best for America.
United States?
Answer: Yes, I want to officially swear to help the United States.
Question: Have you ever been declared legally incompetent or con-

fined as a patient in a mental institution?
Answer: No, I am not mentally ill.
Question: Were you ever in a mental hospital?

Answer: No, I am mentally competent.
Question: Have you ever been confined as a patient in a mental

institution?
Answer: No, I’ve never been in a hospital for people who are men-
tally disabled.
Question: Were you born with or have you acquired any title of
nobility?
Answer: No, my parents were factory workers.
Question: Are you a king, queen, duke, earl, prince, or do you have
any other title of nobility?
Answer: No, I don’t have any special titles along with my name and
I am not a king or any other noble.
Question: Were you born with or have you acquired any title of
nobility?
Answer: No, no one in my family is related to a king or queen.
Question: Have you at any time ever ordered, incited, assisted, or oth-
erwise participated in the persecution of any person
because of race, religion, national origin, or political
opinion?
Answer: No, I have never hurt anyone.
Question: Have you at any time ever ordered or otherwise participat-

ed in the persecution of any person because of race, reli-
gion, national origin, or political opinion?
Answer: No, I don’t hurt people because of what they believe or
what color they are.
Question: Have you ever participated in the persecution of any per-

son because of race, religion, national origin, or political
opinion?
Answer: No, I have never persecuted anyone.
Question: If the law requires it, are you willing to perform noncom-
batant services in the Armed Forces of the United States?
Answer: Yes, I will help the soldiers when the law tells me to.
Question: If required by law, are you willing to perform noncombat-

ant services in the Armed Forces of the United States?
Answer: Yes, I will do whatever I can to help the military.
Question: Are you willing to perform noncombatant services in the

Armed Forces of the United States, if the law says you
must?
Answer: Yes, I will help the Armed Forces if the law tells me to.
Question: If the law requires it, are you willing to perform work of
national importance under civilian direction?
Answer: Yes, I will do anything to help the United States when the
law says I must.
Question: Are you willing to perform work of national importance

under civilian direction, if required by the law?
Answer: Yes, if the law tells me, I will work to help the United States.
Question: Will you perform work of national importance under civil-

ian direction, when the law says you must?
Answer: Yes, I will do anything to help the United States whenever it
is needed.
Question: Have you ever left the United States to avoid being drafted
into the U.S. Armed Forces?
Answer: No, I have never gone away to avoid going into the military.
Question: Have you ever left the United States to avoid being drafted?
Answer: No, I have never left the country so I didn’t have to go to
war.
Question: Have you ever left the United States so you didn’t have to
fight in a war?
Answer: No, I have never gone away to avoid being drafted into the
military.
Question: Have you ever failed to comply with Selective Service laws?
Answer: No, I never withheld my name for becoming a soldier.
Question: Have you ever failed to comply with Selective Service laws?
Answer: No, I have always given my name so I could be called to
fight.
Question: Did you register for the Selective Service?

Answer: Yes, I gave my name to the government.
Question: Do you know your Selective Service number?

Answer: Yes, I have that number written on this paper.
Question: Did you ever apply for exemption from military service
because of alienage, conscientious objections, or other
reasons?
Answer: No, I have never said that I would not fight for America.
Question: Have you ever tried to avoid military service?

Answer: No, I have always been willing to be a soldier.
Question: Did you ever request to stay out of the Armed Forces
because of your religious beliefs?
Answer: No, my religion says it is okay to protect my country by
fighting a war.
Question: Have you ever deserted from the military, air, or naval
forces of the United States?
Answer: No, I have never even been in the Armed Forces.
Question: Have you ever deserted from the military, air, or naval
forces of the United States?
Answer: No, I was honorably discharged from the army.
Question: Did you leave the Armed Forces before you were allowed
to?
Answer: No, I was in the Armed Forces for a full three years.
Question: Are you a member of the Communist Party?

Answer: No, I am not a member of any political group.
Question: Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?

Answer: No, I never joined that group.
Question: Are you now or have you ever been a member of the
Communist Party?
Answer: I am not a member now, but I was many years ago.
Question: Why were you a Communist?

Answer: I joined because everyone else joined. I didn’t believe in it.
Question: When was that?

Answer: I joined in 1972, but I never went to the meetings.
Question: Have you ever been affiliated with the Nazi Party?
Answer: No, I don’t agree with the Nazi Party.
Question: Have you ever been a member of the Nazi Party?

Answer: No, I never joined the Nazi Party.
Question: Did you help the Nazi government in any way?

Answer: No, I never assisted the Nazis.
Question: Were you a part of the Nazi Party between 1933 and 1945?
Answer: No, I don’t agree with the Nazi Party.
Question: Have you ever helped the Nazi Party?

Answer: No, I don’t like the Nazi Party.
Question: Are you a member of any clubs or organizations?

Answer: No, I am not a part of any organized groups.
Question: Are you a member of any clubs or organizations?

Answer: Yes, I am a member of the Small Business Association.
Question: Are you a member of any clubs?

Answer: No, I do not take part in any clubs.
Question: Are you a member of any clubs?

Answer: Yes, I am a member of the Rotary Club.
Question: Have you ever given false testimony to obtain an immigra-

tion benefit?
Answer: No, I have never lied.
Question: Have you ever lied to obtain an immigration benefit?

Answer: No, I have never given false testimony.
Question: Have you ever lied at an immigration interview when you

were under oath?
Answer: No, I have never lied under oath.
Question: If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms on behalf
of the United States?
Answer: Yes, I will fight in a war to help the United States.
Question: If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms on behalf
Answer: Yes, I will be a soldier if the law tells me.
Question: Are you willing to bear arms for the United States, even if
it is against the country you used to live in?
Answer: Yes, I will fight for America even if it is against my old
country.
Study Online
If you have access to a computer at home or at your local
library, you can take an online practice review with the type
questions you will be asked during the History and Civics por-
tion of the Citizenship Exam. LearnATest.com has online prac-
tice questions on government structure, the Constitution,
United States history, the flag, and current events. At the end of
each review, you’ll be given a personalized analysis of your
score that identifies your strengths and weaknesses so you’ll
know exactly how to prepare for the real thing. Just log onto
www.learnatest.com, go into the bookstore, and click into the
U.S. Citizenship section. Good Luck!
English Language Exam

After the history section of the oral exam (although sometimes it is
given first) the examiner will give you a brief dictation exam. This is to
ensure that you can listen to English, understand it, and write it.
Listening Tips
For some candidates, the dictation portion of the citizenship
exam can be very stressful. Listening carefully and clearly
understanding words can be difficult for you if English is not
your first language. Here are three ways to boost your listening
skills, which will help you to hear and understand English better:
➤ Start listening closely and QUIETLY—to the radio, to the
television, and to others that you meet during the course
of your day. Try repeating silently to yourself the phrases
they say. Notice when you remember the phrase correct-
ly—and when you don’t.
➤ Find role models—listen carefully to radio and television
newsreaders, talk show hosts, members of the clergy,
and others who are effective speakers. Try writing down
a sentence that they say. Did you get it right or wrong?
➤ Keep a journal of words and phrases that give you trou-
ble. Practice saying them aloud and writing them down.
Active Listening
➤ Is a way of showing a speaker that you really hear what
she is saying.
➤ Helps you to get the information that you need.
➤ Provides the speaker with valuable feedback.
How to Listen Actively

➤ Pay attention.
➤ Nod your head up and down at the speaker.
➤ Use verbal confirmation, such as saying, “I see.”
➤ Make eye contact.
Frame Your Answer

Begin your response to the question at the beginning of your
answer. This shows the interviewer that you understand the
question. Plus it gives you some time to think while you frame
your answer.
Example
Interviewer: Which U.S. president ended slavery?
You: The U.S. president who ended slavery was Abraham
Lincoln.
Sample Dictation Sentences

Following are sample sentences you may be asked to write down during
your INS interview. The blank page opposite this list can be used for
writing down your answers. Practice writing each sentence on the
opposite page. Have your partner read the sentence out loud to you and
then write it down carefully.
1. I study.
2. I study English.
3. I study citizenship.
4. I want to be a citizen.
5. I want to be an American.
6. I live in Florida.
7. I live with my family.
8. I live in Florida with my family.
9. I want to be an American citizen.
10. I want to be a citizen of the United States.
11. I drive to work.
12. I drive my car to work.
13. I take the bus.
14. I take the bus to work.
15. I go to school.
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
5. .
6. .
7. .
8. .
9. .
10. .
11. .
12. .
13. .
14. .
15. .
16. My children go to school.
17. My children and I go to school.
18. My little girl is happy.
19. My family is happy to be in America.
20. My children are happy in school.
21. I believe in freedom.
22. I believe in the Constitution.
23. I believe in freedom and the Constitution.
24. The sky is blue.
25. My dog is white.
26. The sky is blue and my dog is white.
27. I have two children.
28. I live with my husband and children.
29. I live with my two children.
30. I drive a car.

16. .
17. .
18. .
19. .
20. .
21. .
22. .
23. .
24. .
25. .
26. .
27. .
28. .
29. .
30. .
31. I drive a red sports car.
32. I like my car.
33. I drive a pickup truck.
34. I drive a black pickup truck.
35. I like my truck.
36. I drive a sports utility vehicle.
37. I drive a silver sports utility vehicle.
38. I like to drive my sports utility vehicle.
39. I live in a house.
40. I live in a blue house.
41. I live in an apartment complex.
42. I live in a brick building.
43. I like my home.
44. The woman eats food.
45. The woman eats an apple.

31. .
32. .
33. .
34. .
35. .
36. .
37. .
38. .
39. .
40. .
41. .
42. .
43. .
44. .
45. .
46. I have a cat.
47. I have a big cat.
48. I have a big, white cat.
49. I like cats.
50. I wear a hat.
51. I wear a black hat.
52. I like to wear hats.
53. I am learning English.
54. They are learning English.
55. My sisters are learning English.
56. I like snow.
57. It is snowing today.
58. It is windy today.
59. It is raining outside.
60. It is cold outside.

45. .
46. .
47. .
48. .
49. .
50. .
51. .
52. .
53. .
54. .
55. .
56. .
57. .
58. .
59. .
60. .
61. It is sunny today.
62. I like warm weather.
63. I like to go to the beach.
64 I like to go swimming.
65. I like to ride my bike.
66. I like to walk in the park.
67. Today is Thursday.
68. Tomorrow is Friday.
69. Yesterday was Wednesday.
70. Today is Independence Day.
71. I can speak English.
72. I can read English.
73. I can write English.
74. I can read, write, and speak English.
75. I can pass this test.

61. .
62. .
63. .
64. .
65. .
66. .
67. .
68. .
69. .
70. .
71. .
72. .
73. .
74. .
75. .
Coping with Test Anxiety

A mild case of test anxiety may feel like a few butterflies in your
stomach as you head toward your testing room. Sometimes, a
little test anxiety is good because it gets you focused, stimu-
lates concentration, and turns your attention to the task of test
taking. This is nothing to worry about.
But, you may have a more severe form of test anxiety, which
can interfere with your success on the U.S. citizenship exam.
Some symptoms of test anxiety are:
➤ feelings of dread or fear
➤ changes in your patterns of eating and sleeping
➤ occasional unusual mood swings
The main cause of test anxiety is fear of failing or doing

poorly on the test. Some people add more fears to this one, like
the fear of disappointing yourself, disappointing others, facing
an uncertain future, and repeating a failure.
Here are some ways to prevent test anxiety:

➤ Keep to an organized routine in your life.
➤ Reduce as much general stress as you can.
➤ See a smart person in the mirror every day.
➤ Stay healthy: Eat right and remember to exercise.
Here are some suggestions for managing test anxiety when

you feel it:
➤ Confront your fears.
➤ Write your fears down.
➤ Stick to your study schedule.
➤ Get plenty of rest.
➤ Bring a friend or relative to the interview for support. They can
wait in the waiting area, but they cannot attend the interview.
Remember these important tips for effective speaking:
◆ Practice an even tone.

◆ Control your volume.
◆ If you are a fast talker, slow down.

◆ If you are a slow talker, speed up.
When the Exam Is Over

Some examiners will tell you that you passed when they have completed
the exam. This is terrific news—you will know that all of your hard work
has paid off. Then, you can prepare for your swearing-in ceremony.
If you should fail the exam, the INS examiner will suggest that you
retake it. Often, the INS examiner will simply thank you for coming in,
and tell you that you will receive notification of passing the exam in the
mail. According to the law, the INS must grant or deny your application
within 120 days after the interview. If you are denied because of failure
of part of the exam, either English language or U.S. history, you will get
another chance to take the exam. However, if you miss the second
appointment to retake the test, your application will be denied and you
will have to start the whole process all over again.
Once your application is approved, your file gets updated in the INS
database. Next, you will receive a certificate and a notice to appear at an
Oath of Allegiance (Swearing-In) Ceremony. Sometimes the ceremony
is at a courthouse; sometimes it’s at the INS office. Either way, it’s offi-
cial—you will be a United States citizen!
So, as you can see, it’s very important to study and be well prepared
on exam day. We have provided you with many sample questions in this
chapter from which to study. The next chapter provides you with the
complete list of official INS questions. Practice these two chapters fre-
quently as you wait for your interview, and stick to your study schedule.
✰ ✰ ✰
SAS HA’S STO RY
I CAME to the United States from Yugoslavia in late 1991, during the early
stages of the turmoil in my homeland. I was born in the republic of Serbia, in a
small city very near Hungary. In the late 1980s when I was old enough to be drafted
into the military, I was at university, so I was kept out of active duty. I studied com-
puter science and hoped to make a life for myself outside of Yugoslavia. I went to
a career fair in Belgrade, and I got a position in the Philippines with a major U.S.
corporation. I viewed this as a strategic career move, because ultimately I wanted
to live in the United States.
After two years, I was transferred to New York, where I worked long hours,
learned advanced English, and quickly adapted to the American lifestyle. I made a
lot of friends, mostly other Europeans. During this period, I learned so much about
computer technology, which helped me to keep advancing my career. The corpo-
ration’s attorneys secured my green card and started my process of naturalization.
My passport is not honored in some countries because I am from Serbia, and while
I am very proud of my heritage, I realized that to travel with ease, I had to become
a U.S. citizen.
Becoming a citizen was a hard decision for me to make. Right outside of New
York City, the climate and scenery looks remarkably similar to Serbia. Sometimes,
I feel nostalgic for my homeland; other times, especially when I read negative
headlines in the newspapers, I feel relieved that I am removed from the discord
and violence back home.
In the middle of the naturalization process, another company offered me a job
that I couldn’t refuse. Unfortunately, this created a setback, as I had to not only
deal with INS red tape, but also my former employers, who were slow in sending
my naturalization paperwork to me after I left the company.
Because I was so busy with work, I ended up hiring an immigration attorney to
help me with the rest of the process. Still, it took four years for my naturalization
process to be complete. Last summer, I finally took the citizenship exam, which
consisted of about 20 questions that seemed very much alike. I was glad I stud-
ied the civics portion, and I wasn’t too worried about the language section because
I had been in the States for ten years by that point, and I speak and understand
English quite well. I was surprised to see so many people at my Oath Ceremony
in New Jersey, and glad to find that I am happy in my adopted country. Now, I can
travel back home, visit my family and friends, and travel freely in other European
countries with the ease of an American.
✰ ✰ ✰
CHAPTER 5
Official INS
Questions and
Sample Answers
HERE IS A list, arranged by category, of all the official INS history and
civics questions and answers.You need to know the answers to many of these
questions to pass the test. Cover the answers and try to answer each question
correctly. Then look at the answers to see if you are correct. Or, study with a
friend. Have your friend ask you the questions and you respond aloud. Keep
track of how many you answer correctly. If you need extra help with the
answers, go to Chapter 6 for our basic U.S. Civics lesson.
Note: In some communities, the civics portion of the exam is given
in writing. Check with your local INS department to see if your test will
be oral or written—it makes a real difference when you study, so ask
right away!
Flash Cards
Here’s a fun and effective study idea—create flash cards to help
you learn the official INS questions and answers. It’s simple:
1. Buy index cards at your local stationery store, paper sup-

plier, or drug store.
2. Write an INS question on one side of a card, and the cor-
rect answer on the back.
3. Shuffle the cards and have a friend or family member drill
you on the questions.
4. Keep trying until you get them all right!
The Government Structure

1. How many branches are 1. Three (3)
there in the government?
2. What are the three branches 2. Executive, legislative,
of our government? and judicial
Legislative Branch
3. What is the legislative 3. Congress
branch of our government?
4. Who makes the laws in 4. Congress
the United States?
5. What is Congress? 5. The Senate and House of
Representatives
6. What are the duties 6. To make laws
of Congress?
7. Who elects the members 7. The voting citizens of the
of Congress? United States
8. Where does Congress meet? 8. The Capitol in
Washington, DC
9. How many senators are there 9. One hundred (100)
in Congress?
10. Why are there one hundred 10. There are two (2) senators
senators in Congress? from each of the fifty states.
11. Who are the two senators 11. Each state has a different
from your state? answer. Find out who are the
two senators from your state.
Official INS Questions and Sample Answers ◆ 81
12. How long is an elected 12. Six (6) years for each term he
senator’s term? or she is elected
13. How many times can a 13. There is no limit.
senator be reelected?
14. How many representatives 14. 435 (four hundred thirty-five)
are there in Congress?
15. How long is an elected 15. Two (2) years for each term he
representative’s term? or she is elected
16. How many times can a 16. There is no limit.
representative be reelected?
Judicial Branch
17. What is the judicial branch 17. The Supreme Court
of our government?
18. What are the duties of the 18. To interpret laws and the
Supreme Court? Constitution
19. Who is the chief justice of the 19. William Rehnquist
Supreme Court?
20. Who selects the Supreme 20. The President
Court justices?
21. How many Supreme Court 21. Nine (9)
justices are there?
22. What is the highest court 22. The Supreme Court
in the United States?
Executive Branch
23. What is the executive branch 23. The President, Vice President,
of our government? and Cabinet
24. Who was the first President 24. George Washington
25. Who is the President of the 25. George W. Bush
United States today?
26. Who is the Vice President 26. Richard “Dick” Cheney
today?
27. Who elects the President 27. The Electoral College

28. How long is an elected 28. Four (4) years
President’s term?
29. Who becomes President 29. The Vice President
of the United States if the
President should die?
30. How many terms can 30. A maximum of two (2) terms
a President serve?
31. Who becomes President 31. The Speaker of the House of
of the United States if the Representatives
President and Vice President
should die?
32. What are the requirements 32. The President must be a
to be President? natural-born citizen of the
United States, at least thirty-
five (35) years old, and have
lived in the United States for
at least fourteen (14) years.
33. What special group advises 33. The Cabinet
the President?
34. What is the White House? 34. The President’s official home
35. Where is the White House 35. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
located? Washington, DC
36. In what month do we 36. November
vote for the President?
37. In what month is the new 37. January
President inaugurated?
38. What is the head executive of 38. Governor
a state government called?
39. What is the head executive of 39. Mayor
a city government called?
40. Who signs a bill into law? 40. The President
41. What is the name of the 41. The White House
President’s official home?
42. Who is commander-in-chief 42. The President

of the U.S. military?
43. Who has the power to 43. Congress
declare war?
✰ INAUGURATED: inducted into office by a formal

ceremony
The Constitution
44. What is the Constitution? 44. The supreme law of the land
45. Can the Constitution 45. Yes
be changed?
46. What do we call changes 46. Amendments
made to the Constitution?
47. How many amendments 47. Twenty-seven (27)
are there?
48. What is the supreme law 48. The Constitution
49. What year was the 49. 1787
Constitution written?
50. What is the Bill of Rights? 50. The first ten (10)
amendments
51. Where does freedom 51. The Bill of Rights
of speech come from?
52. Whose rights are guaranteed 52. Everyone in the United States,
by the Constitution and including non-citizens
the Bill of Rights?
53. What is the introduction to 53. The Preamble
the Constitution called?
54. What are the first ten 54. The Bill of Rights
amendments to the
Constitution called?
55. Name three rights or 55. 1. The freedoms of speech,
freedoms guaranteed by press, and religion 2. The
the Bill of Rights. right to bear arms
3. Government may not put

soldiers in people’s homes.
4. Government may not search
or take a person’s property
without a warrant. 5. A person
may not be tried for the same
crime twice. 6. A person
charged with a crime has
rights, including the right to a
trial and a lawyer. 7. People are
protected from unreasonable
fines or cruel punishment.
56. Name one right guaranteed 56. Freedom of: speech, press,
by the First Amendment. religion, peaceable assembly,
and requesting change of
government
57. What is the most important 57. The right to vote
right granted to U.S. citizens?
58. What is the minimum voting 58. Eighteen (18) years old
age in the United States?
Did You Know . . .

. . . that 898,315 applicants for naturalization were approved
and took the Oath of Allegiance in 2000.
United States History

59. What is the 4th of July? 59. Independence Day
60. On what date was the 60. July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence
adopted?
61. What is the basic belief 61. All men are created equal.
stated in the Declaration
of Independence?
62. Who was the main writer 62. Thomas Jefferson
of the Declaration of
Independence?
63. What is the date of 63. July 4th

Independence Day?
64. Which President was the first 64. George Washington
commander-in-chief of the
U.S. military?
65. What country did the 65. England
United States gain its
independence from?
66. What country did we fight 66. England
during the Revolutionary War?
67. Who said, “Give me liberty 67. Patrick Henry
or give me death”?
68. Which President is called 68. George Washington
the “father of our country”?
69. Why did the Pilgrims come 69. They were seeking religious
to America? freedom.
70. Who helped the Pilgrims 70. The Native Americans helped
in America? the Pilgrims.
71. What ship brought the 71. The Mayflower
Pilgrims to America?
72. What holiday was celebrated 72. Thanksgiving
for the first time by the
American colonists?
73. What were the original 73. The original thirteen states
thirteen states called? were called colonies.
74. Can you name the original 74. Connecticut, New Hampshire,
thirteen states? New York, New Jersey,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Rhode Island, and
Maryland
75. Who wrote “The Star- 75. Francis Scott Key
Spangled Banner”?
76. What is the national anthem 76. “The Star-Spangled Banner”

77. Who was the President 77. Abraham Lincoln
during the Civil War?
78. What did the Emancipation 78. The Emancipation
Proclamation do? Proclamation freed all slaves
in the United States.
79. Which President freed 79. Abraham Lincoln
the slaves?
80. What are the 49th and 50th 80. Alaska and Hawaii
states in the union?
81. Who were America’s enemies 81. Germany, Japan, and Italy
in World War II?
82. Who was 82. A civil rights leader in the
Martin Luther King, Jr.? 1960s
The Flag
83. What are the colors 83. Red, white, and blue
of our flag?
84. How many stars are 84. There are fifty (50) stars.
on our flag?
85. What color are the stars 85. The stars are white.
on our flag?
86. What do the stars on the 86. The fifty (50) states. There is
flag represent? one star for each state in the
Union.
87. How many stripes are 87. Thirteen (13)
on the flag?
88. What color are the stripes ? 88. The stripes are red and white.
on the flag
89. What do the stripes on the 89. The original thirteen (13)
flag represent? colonies
Your State Government

90. What is the capital of 90. Each state has a different
your state? answer. Find out the name of
the capital of your state.
91. Who is the current governor 91. Each state has a different
of your state? answer. Find out who is the
governor of your state.
92. Who is the head of your 92. Find out the name of your local
local government? mayor.
The United States Today

93. How many states are 93. There are fifty (50) states.
there in the United States?
94. Name one purpose of the 94. For countries to talk about
United Nations. world problems and try to
peaceably solve them
95. Name one benefit of 95. The right to vote, the right to
becoming a citizen of the travel with a U.S. passport, the
United States. right to serve on a jury, the
right to apply for federal jobs
96. What are the two major 96. The Democratic and
political parties in the Republican parties
U.S. today?
97. What kind of government 97. A democratic republic
does the United States have?
98. What is the United States 98. The place where Congress
Capitol? meets
99. Where is the capital of the 99. Washington, DC
United States?
100. What INS form is used 100. Form N-400, the “Application
to apply to become a to File Petition for
naturalized citizen? Naturalization”
Top Ten Metropolitan Areas

of Intended Residence
In 1998, the following metropolitan areas were selected by the
largest number of immigrants as their areas of intended residence:
New York, New York
Los Angeles/Long Beach, California
Chicago, Illinois
Miami, Florida
Metropolitan Washington, DC
San Francisco, California
Oakland, California
Houston, Texas
Boston/Lawrence, Massachusetts
San Jose, California
Source: INS
Did You Know . . .

. . . If you have access to the Internet, you can take a self-test
of random official INS questions at www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphic/
exec/natz/natztest.asp.
✰ ✰ ✰
I M M I G R ATI O N S P E C IALI ST J U LI O
D O M I N G U E Z’S STO RY
I was motivated to become a lawyer by events that occurred in my childhood. I was born
in Bakersfield, California, shortly after my parents emigrated there from Mexico City.
Growing up in a largely Hispanic community in southern California, the subjects of immi-
gration and citizenship were always an issue amongst family and friends. From what I
could see, my community lacked a really good lawyer to assist the hardworking people
that desired citizenship. It seemed to me (and I viewed it firsthand when my father went
through the naturalization process when I was a teen) that many of the so-called immi-
gration specialists were stereotypical lawyer-types who were more interested in taking
advantage than actually helping out. When I got to law school, I took an immigration law
course and was also a student advocate in our school’s immigration clinic. Working in the
clinic helping out people from all over the world, it didn’t take me long to realize that spe-
cializing in immigration was my calling.
I have been practicing law now for about ten years, nine of them concentrating in immi-
gration law. I work for a small firm that specializes in corporate immigration cases. That pays
my bills. In my spare time I like to go to back my community and work on private cases—my
clients are usually Latin American or Mexican, and I often work pro bono—helping hard-
working people like my parents is all the payment I need. On occasion, I will also conduct
free information seminars at a local church. The naturalization process is actually quite sim-
ple if you know exactly what you’re doing, and I try to be as helpful as possible.
In terms of things that I have noticed about both my corporate and private clients, the
physical presence and Selective Service requirement seem to cause the most confusion.
This is where having someone who knows the legal ins and outs can be very helpful.
There are many things about the naturalization process that are discouraging to candi-
dates, but they should know that every community has a number of people like me who
are more than willing to help, because we know exactly where they are coming from.
✰ ✰ ✰
CHAPTER 6
U.S. History
and Civics
WHEN YOU APPEAR for your interview, the INS interviewer will
ask you specific U.S. history and civics questions. You have seen exam-
ples of these questions in Chapter 5. In order to be more confident dur-
ing the oral exam, it is a good idea to understand the context of the
questions being asked. In this chapter, you are provided with a brief
overview of the areas of U.S. history that the exam covers. Reading over
the history of the United States is a really good way to supplement your
exam preparation. Of course you can just memorize questions and
sample answers if that works for you, but we urge you to read on—you
will discover many interesting facts about your new country. Plus,
we’ve added some interesting pieces of information to help you as you
study early U.S. history—from the discovery of the Americas through
the civil war, to some basic and necessary facts on U.S. government.
✰ CONTEXT: the circumstances in which an event

occurs; a setting
Key Presidents
All of our past presidents are important for one reason or another, but
you are most likely to be asked about these four presidents:
◆ The first president of the United States was George Washington.

◆ The president who wrote the Declaration of Independence
was Thomas Jefferson.
◆ The president of the United States who ended slavery was
Abraham Lincoln.
◆ The current president of the United States is George W. Bush.
✰ ✰ ✰
It Happened In . . .
1492 The New World

Christopher Columbus discovers America.
1500-1700 Age of Exploration

Different explorers sail to the New World, settling what is now
North, Central, and South America.
1620 Pilgrims
An English group sails on the ship Mayflower in search of reli-
gious freedom. They land on Plymouth Rock, in Massachusetts.
American history begins.
U.S. History and Civics ◆ 93
Mayflower Compact
The pilgrims drafted a document that outlined the first form
of government in the New World. The U.S. Constitution is
based on the principles from this document.
Thanksgiving
After a successful first harvest based on the Native Americans’
method of farming, the first Thanksgiving is celebrated.
1660-1770s The British Colonies in America

The English governed the American colonies. The American
colonies relied on England for trade, and the English were
pleased to have a growing market in America. During this
time, more settlers crossed the Atlantic Ocean from England,
as well as from Ireland, France, Holland, Germany, and Spain.
The population grew, and thirteen distinct colonies were
incorporated and governed by the English. The northern
colonies became areas of smaller farms, commercial busi-
nesses, and some manufacturing ventures. The southern
colonies, with vast land and warm climate, were more suitable
for farming on a larger scale. Plantations were formed, farm-
ing “cash crops” —tobacco, sugar, and cotton.
1740 Slavery
In order to farm the large plantations in the South, slaves
were brought to the colonies from Africa.
1752-1763 The French and Indian War

The French, with the aid of the Native Americans who did not
appreciate the British taking over their land, battled the
British on American soil.
1763-1775 Taxation Without Representation

The British were heavily taxing the colonial settlers, and the
British governors started to get more involved in the daily lives
of the colonists. Patrick Henry, an outspoken colonist, opposed
taxation, especially the Stamp Act of 1765. He gave a famous
speech that ended with, “Give me liberty or give me death!”
Representatives from each of the thirteen colonies gathered in
Philadelphia to discuss their problem with the British. This
important meeting became known as “The First Continental
Congress” of September 1774. The representatives drafted
and sent a petition known as the “Declaration of Rights” to
King George of England. In the Declaration of Rights, the
colonists asked for specific changes in the treatment of the
colonies by the British. The colonists wanted tax relief, repre-
sentation in British parliament, and greater freedom.
1775 “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World”

England attacked the colonies in Massachusetts. Famous
incidents occurred in and around Boston, such as the Boston
Tea Party, where colonists dumped British tea (an item heav-
ily taxed) into Boston Harbor. This represented the colonists’
intolerance of taxes by the British. They coined a slogan, “No
taxation without representation,” and angered England. The
British troops began shooting the colonists. Paul Revere
warned the settlers of the troops’ approach by riding through
the areas around Boston, shouting, “The British are coming!
The British are coming!” The colonists challenged England’s
absolute rule, and the enemies of England, such as the
French, rallied behind the colonies. This began the
Revolutionary War.
1776 The Declaration of Independence

The Second Continental Congress again met in Philadelphia on
July 4, 1776. During this meeting, the representatives from the
thirteen colonies drafted The Declaration of Independence, writ-
ten by Thomas Jefferson, and elected George Washington
as Commander in Chief of the Continental Armed Forces. The
colonies renamed themselves the “United States of America.”
1776-1783 The Articles of Confederation

The representatives of the thirteen states realized that they
needed a governing document. They drafted The Articles of
Confederation, a temporary outline of the principles of gov-
ernment for the United States of America. It would serve as
the guiding principles for the young nation until the United
States Constitution was written.
The United States Constitution

After the Revolutionary War, the thirteen states realized that
the loose form or The Articles of Confederation, which gave
the federal government very little power and had no provision
for taxes, would not work. They came back to Philadelphia
and wrote The United States Constitution. Each state had to
ratify, or agree with, the new laws, and it passed unanimously
in 1789.
1789-1860 The Great Expansion

With westward expansion came an era of prosperity in the
United States. The northern states began to abolish slavery,
while slavery continued in the south. This issue, among oth-
ers, divided the young nation.
1860-1865 The Civil War

The War Between the States was the bloodiest war fought on
American soil, and it resulted in the most American casualties
in any war since.
1865 End of Slavery

With the end of the war and victory for the North, President
Abraham Lincoln ended slavery. In April, Lincoln was shot and
killed.
✰
Thanksgiving
The United States holiday celebrated on the last Thursday in
November commemorates the first harvest that the Pilgrims
had with the Native Americans in the New World. The original
settlers gave thanks for the bountiful food as well as the peace
and freedom they enjoyed in their new homeland. Turkey is
served as the main course because it is a bird native to North
America. Other unique foods include corn and cranberries—new
vegetables and fruit found in the New World.
The Original Thirteen Colonies

Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Did You Know . . .

. . . that the first rules regarding the granting of national citizen-
ship into the United States were established by the Act of March
26, 1790. This first federal naturalization law originally laid down
two of the most basic and important principles of what would
evolve into the modern laws of today—persons eligible for natu-
ralization were required to have lived in the United States for a
minimum period of time, and to have displayed a good moral
character worthy of being a citizen of the United States.
The United States Constitution

The Constitution provided for a strong national government divided
into three branches, legislative, judicial, and executive.
The Three Branches of Government
The
Three Branches
of Government
Legislative Judicial Executive
Legislative Branch
➤ The Legislative branch of the government is called
Congress.
➤ Congress makes the laws in the United States.
➤ Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
➤ Members of Congress are voted into office by adult citi-
zens of the United States.
➤ Congress meets at the Capitol in Washington, DC.
➤ There are 100 senators in Congress—2 from each
state.
➤ A senator has a term in office of six years.
➤ There is no limit to how many times a senator can be
reelected.
➤ There are 435 members of the House of
Representatives. The number of representatives per state
is based on population.
➤ Each representative is elected for a term of two years.

➤ There is no limit to how many times a representative
can be reelected.
Judicial Branch
➤ The Supreme Court is the judicial branch of our
government.
➤ The duty of the Supreme Court is to interpret laws and
the Constitution.
➤ The chief justice of the Supreme Court is William
Rehnquist.
➤ The President selects the Supreme Court justices, and
congress must approve his choices.
➤ There are nine Supreme Court justices.
➤ The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United
States.
Executive Branch
➤ The executive branch of our government consists of the
President, Vice President, and members of the Cabinet.
➤ The President of the United States is elected for a
four-year term.
➤ If the President of the United States dies in office, the
Vice President becomes the President.
➤ A President can serve a maximum of two terms, and he
must win the vote of the Electoral College—not just the
popular vote of the adult citizens of the United States.
➤ The Speaker of the House of Representatives becomes
President if the President and Vice President die.
➤ To be eligible for President one must be a natural-born
citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old, and
have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.
➤ The president lives at the White House: 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC.
➤ The chief executive of a state is the Governor.
➤ The chief executive of a city is the Mayor.
Facts to Know about the U.S. Constitution

1. The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of
America.
2. It was written in 1787.
3. It can only be changed by an act in Congress. Changes to the
Constitution are called amendments.
4. There are 27 amendments to the constitution.
5. The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights.
6. The introduction to the Constitution is called the Preamble.
7. Some rights and freedoms granted by the Bill of Rights are:
◆ The freedoms of speech, press, and religion.
◆ The right of all adult citizens 18 years of age and over to
vote and the right to bear arms.
◆ Government may not put soldiers in people’s homes,
search or take a person’s property without a warrant.
◆ A person may not be tried for the same crime twice, and a
person charged with a crime has rights, including the right
to a trial and a lawyer.
◆ People are protected from unreasonable fines or cruel
punishment.
The American Flag

◆ The colors of the American flag are red, white, and blue.
◆ There are 50 white stars on a blue background, and they rep-
resent the 50 states.
◆ There are thirteen red and white stripes on the flag, represent-
ing the thirteen original colonies.
Know Your State
(Fill in the blanks and study this information about your local govern-
ment.)
1. What is the capital of your state?

2. Who is the governor of your state?
3. Who is the mayor of your city or town?
The United States Today

◆ The capital of the United States is Washington, DC.
◆ The United States is a democratic republic.
Supplemental Reading Materials

As a citizen of the United States, it’s important to understand the histo-
ry of our great nation. The ten books listed below will not only supple-
ment your studies for the citizenship exam, but they will give you a
broad knowledge of American history and a better idea of how the
country works. Each book offers something different, and all are inter-
esting and easy to read. When you have spare time, head to your local
library or bookstore and see which one is right for you.
Twenty-Five Lessons in Citizenship, by D. L. Hennessey and Lenore

Hennessey Richardson (D.L. Hennessey, 1997).
Voices of Freedom: English and Civics for the U.S. Citizenship Exam, by
Bill Bliss with Steven J. Molinsky (Simon & Schuster, 1993).
Making Patriots, by Walter Berns (University of Chicago Press, 2001).
“To the Best of My Ability”: The American Presidents, edited by James
M. McPherson and David Rubel (Dorling Kindersley, 2000).
A People’s History of the United States: 1492–Present, by Howard Zinn
(HarperTrade, 1995).
Witness to America: An Illustrated Documentary History of the United
States from the Revolution to Today (includes audio CD) edited by
Stephen E. Ambrose (HarperCollins, 1999).
The Limits of Liberty: American History, 1607–1992 by Maldwyn
Allen Jones (Oxford University Press, 1995).
The Great Republic: A History of the United States, by Winston S.
Churchill (Random House, 1999).
What Every American Should Know about American History: 200

Events That Shaped the Nation, by Alan Axelrod and Charles
Phillips (Adams, 1993).
The American Flag, by Patricia Ryon Quiri (Children’s Press, 1998).
Learning Online
The Internet can be an invaluable learning and research tool. Here is a
list of websites that will supplement your studies for the oral interview.
If you have a specific question or want to learn more about a subject,
simply go to a site, and perform a search.
[Note: At the time of publications, the websites listed here were current.
Due to the ever-changing nature of the Web, we cannot guarantee their
continued existence or content.]
History Channel Online

www.historychannel.com
U.S.A. History.com
www.usahistory.com
Encyclopedia Britannica Online

www.britannica.com
History.org
www.ushistory.org
Bartleby.com
www.bartleby.com
History Social Sciences Resources

http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/places/history/history/
us.html
50 States.com
www.50states.com
The White House Homepage

www.whitehouse.gov
Grolier Online’s The American Presidency

http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/preshome.html
American Memory: Historical Collections for the National Digital

Library
http://memory.loc.gov/
Did You Know . . .

. . . If you have access to the Internet, you can take a self-test
of random official INS questions at www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/
exec/natz/natztest.asp.
United States of America National Anthem:

The Star Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key, 1814
Oh say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen throughout the mists of the deep

Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes
What is that which the breeze o’er the towering steep
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam
In full glory reflected now shrines on the stream.
‘Tis the Star Spangled Banner, Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so hauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and country, shall leave us no more?
Their blood was washed out their foul foot steps pollution
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.
And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave
Oh thus be it e’er when free men shall stand

Between their lov’d homes and war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that has made and preserv’d us as a nation
And conquer we must when our cause is just
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the Star Spangled banner in triumph shall wave
CHAPTER 7
Special
Situations
HAVE YOU EVER heard someone say that for every rule there is an
exception? Well, the United States government is no exception! In
Chapter 2, you read about some exceptions in reference to the oral
exam. Also, different rules apply to people with different status, such as
marriage to an American citizen, or a U.S. military veteran. In this chap-
ter, you will read about a few other situations that may affect your nat-
uralization process.
Keeping Your Cool with the INS

Here are some important tips to remember when calling the
INS or when you are at the INS office seeking information:
➤ Be Persistent—If the representative you speak with is not
able to help you, call back or ask to be placed on hold
while another person is found who might be helpful. The
same rule applies in person—ask your representative to
ask someone else in the office for assistance with your

particular question. Call again or go back if you didn’t get
all the information you need.
➤ Stay Calm—It’s always hard to understand what the other
person is saying when you’re upset. (This is true even if
English is your native language!) Remain calm as you
absorb the information.
➤ Be Polite—Representatives will be more helpful if you
conduct yourself in a professional, courteous manner.
➤ Repeat Your Question—until you are understood.
➤ Repeat the INS Answer—until you understand it.
➤ Be Patient—All of the new citizens interviewed for this
book told us that they were very frustrated when dealing
with the INS. They became U.S. citizens, and so can you!
Alien Fiancé(e)s and Marriage

A common special situation regarding citizenship is when a U.S. citizen
wishes to marry a non-U.S. citizen. Here are some basic steps to follow,
but do visit the INS and other government websites regularly to con-
firm that these steps, rules, and regulations are current.
A citizen of a foreign country who would like to come to the United
States to marry an American citizen and reside in the United States will
have to obtain a K-1 visa. Since this book is about citizenship and not
visas, this section will be brief. For more information on fiancé(e) visas
or other types of visas, such as the student visa, you can e-mail
usvisa@state.gov.
Briefly, to establish K-1 visa classification for an alien fiancé(e), a U.S.
citizen must file a petition, Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e),
with the designated INS service center or at a U.S. consulate abroad,
which will forward the petition to the appropriate INS office. These
petitions cannot be filed or processed while abroad; they must be han-
dled in the United States by the INS. The consular office where the alien
fiancé(e) will apply for his or her visa will receive notification of the
petition approval and issue a K-1 visa. A petition is valid for a period of
Special Situations ◆ 107
four months from the date of INS action, and may be revalidated by the
consular officer. The fiancé(e) must marry the U.S. citizen within 90
days of arriving in the United States.
Visa Ineligibility
Warning: Applicants who have a communicable disease, or have
a dangerous physical or mental disorder; are drug addicts; have
committed serious criminal acts, including crimes involving
moral turpitude, drug trafficking, and prostitution; are likely to
become a public charge; have used fraud or other illegal means
to enter the United States; or are ineligible for citizenship, may
be refused a visa. In limited circumstances, waivers for a ground
of inadmissibility may be available.
Source: www.travel.state.gov/visa;ineligible.html
✰ TURPITUDE: a corrupt or degenerate act or

practice
Applying for a Fiancé(e) Visa

The consular officer will notify the beneficiary (U.S. citizen fiancé(e))
when the approved petition is received, and the beneficiary will be pro-
vided with the necessary forms and instructions to apply for a K-1 class
visa. A fiancé(e) visa applicant is intending to immigrate and, therefore,
must meet documentary requirements similar to the requirements of
an immigrant visa applicant. The following documents are normally
required:
◆ Valid passport
◆ Birth certificate
◆ Divorce or death certificate of any previous spouse
◆ Police certificate from all places lived since age 16 for six
months duration or longer
◆ Medical examination
◆ Evidence of financial support by fiancé(e)
◆ Evidence of valid relationship with the petitioner

◆ Photographs (like those required for naturalization)
Both petitioner (U.S. fiancé(e)) and beneficiary (alien fiancé(e))

must be legally able and willing to conclude a valid marriage in the
United States. This may seem like an obvious point, but some people try
to abuse the marriage route to U.S. citizenship because it is shorter. The
petitioner and beneficiary must have previously met in person within
the past two years unless the Attorney General waives that requirement.
Again, this may seem like a strange rule for two people getting married,
but it is there to prevent fraud. You may wonder why the Attorney
General would waive this rule. Well, in some cases, such as when there
has been war or military occupation, fiancé(e)s may have gotten sepa-
rated from each other. This exception is in place to help people who are
committed to the United States and to each other.
✰ FRAUD: a deception deliberately practiced in order

to secure unfair or unlawful gain
As soon as the processing of the application is complete and the

applicant has all necessary documents, a consular officer will interview
the fiancé(e). If found eligible, a visa will be issued, valid for one entry
during a period of six months. A non-refundable $45.00 application fee
is collected. For more about U.S. visas, visit these helpful websites:
www.travel.state.gov
www.ins.usdoj.gov
www.usavisanow.com
www.k1-fiance-visa.com
After Entry into the United States

The alien fiancé(e) first may apply for work authorization with the INS.
This is because the government wants to ensure that the new member of
the United States will be a productive part of the U.S. economy.
Next, the marriage must take place within 90 days of admission into
the United States. Following the marriage, the alien spouse must apply to
the INS for adjustment of status to Legal Permanent Residency (green
card) by filing forms I-485 and I-130. If approved, the INS will grant a
two-year conditional permanent residence status. After two years, the
alien may apply to the INS for removal of the conditional status (Form
I-751) by providing evidence that the marriage remains intact. At this
point, the alien spouse is well on the road to U.S. citizenship.
Family Members
The unmarried, minor children of a fiancé(e) (K-1) beneficiary derive
K-2 nonimmigrant visa status from the parent if the children are named
in the petition. A separate petition is not required if the children accom-
pany or follow the alien fiancé(e) within one year from the date of
issuance of the K-1 visa. After one year, a separate immigrant visa peti-
tion is required.
Did You Know . . .

. . . a permanent resident spouse of a U.S. citizen can apply for
naturalization after living three years in the United States, pro-
vided that they meet all physical, residence, and naturalization
requirements. There are certain exceptions to this rule if the
permanent resident is married to a citizen stationed or
employed abroad by:
➤ the U.S. Government (including the U.S. Armed Forces);
➤ American research institutes recognized by the Attorney
General;
➤ recognized U.S. religious organizations;
➤ U.S. research institutions;
➤ an American firm engaged in the development of foreign
trade and commerce of the United States; or certain pub-
lic international organizations involving the United States.
If you think you might qualify for one of these exceptions, con-
tact the INS for further information.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, A Guide to Naturalization,
U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington, DC, 1999, p. 20
Unfortunately, the route to citizenship through marriage has been

abused so much over the years that the U.S. government has purposely
made the process more complicated, and ultimately, more confusing. If
possible, try to speak to a legal advisor or somebody who has previous-
ly been through the process to avoid some of the legal snags in obtain-
ing a K-1 visa.
Citizenship for Foreign-Born and Adopted Children of

U.S. Citizens
If you are considering adoption, here is some important information to
know in order to help you cut through the red tape. Adopted foreign-
born children can become U.S. citizens either automatically (under the
Child Citizenship Act of 2000) or by filing INS Form N-600 or N-643
before the child’s 18th birthday. For more information, please see the
INS website for fact sheets and proposed regulations.
Automatic Citizenship
Most foreign-born adopted children automatically become citizens on the
date they immigrate to the United States. According to the INS, there are a
few requirements that must be met in order for this to occur. These are:
◆ At least one adoptive parent must be a U.S. citizen
◆ The child must be under 18 years of age
◆ A full and final adoption of the child must be complete
◆ The child must be in the United States as a permanent resident
or have an automatic Grant of Citizenship and Citizenship by
Application if the child is living abroad
If all of these requirements are met, the child is automatically a U.S.

citizen.
Applying for Citizenship for a Child

If the requirements for automatic citizenship are not met, the parent
must apply for citizenship on the child’s behalf. If the parent is a U.S.
citizen, he or she will fill out a Form N-643.
If the parent is a permanent resident, not a U.S. citizen, he or she

will apply for citizenship on behalf of the child only when applying for
citizenship. In this case, the parent will fill out their application for
naturalization as described earlier in this book, including Form N-600
or N-643 (application for citizenship for the adopted child) with their
application.
Remember, these procedures apply only to children under the age
of 18. Adopted children who are 18 or older must apply for citizenship
on their own behalf. They will follow the process described earlier, as
well.
Did You Know . . .

. . . under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, foreign-born chil-
dren who currently reside in the United States and who meet
certain requirements may automatically qualify for citizenship.
Children who automatically qualify for citizenship do not
have to apply for it. They receive citizenship on the date they
meet all of the requirements. They will not, however, automati-
cally receive proof of citizenship. To receive proof, parents
should apply for a Certificate of Citizenship with the INS. This
certificate is needed to obtain a U.S. passport for their child
from a local passport agency.
If both parents of a child born on foreign soil are U.S. citizens, and
at least one of those parents lived in the United States prior to the child’s
birth, the child acquires U.S. citizenship. Parents should apply for a
Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) for their child; this document
is evidence of a child’s citizenship, much like a birth certificate. Also,
under the Child Citizen Act (CCA), a new law that went into effect on
February 27, 2001, adopted children (under 18 years old) of U.S. citi-
zens automatically acquire U.S. citizenship by operation of law the day
they immigrate to the United States. If they live abroad, they need to
apply for citizenship. This new law protects the adopted foreign-born
children of U.S. citizens from deportation.
Dual Citizenship
When people say someone has dual citizenship they mean that he or she
is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Some people are born to
parents with different nationalities, giving them dual citizenship. Some
people retain citizenship of their home country when they become
United States citizens.
Each country has its own citizenship laws and there are several that
do not allow dual citizenship. The following is a list of countries that
allow dual citizenship—excluding those with special regulations. It is
based on the most current information available at the time of publica-
tion. You should check with your home country to see if they allow dual
citizenship before you apply for naturalization.
Countries That Typically Recognize Dual Citizenship

Albania France Nigeria
Antigua Ghana Panama
Barbados Greece Peru
Belize Grenada Poland
Benin Guatemala Portugal
Bulgaria Hungary Romania
Burkina Faso Iran St. Christopher
Cambodia Ireland St. Kitts
Canada Israel St. Lucia
Cape Verde Jamaica Slovenia
Central African Republic Latvia Sri Lanka
Colombia Lesotho Switzerland
Costa Rica Liechtenstein Syria
Cote d’Ivoire Macao Togo
Croatia Maldives Tunisia
Cyprus Mexico Turkey
Dominica Morocco Tuvala
Dominican Republic Namibia United Kingdom
Ecuador Nevis
El Salvador New Zealand
Did You Know . . .

. . . regardless of a parent’s citizenship status, any child born on
United States soil is a U.S. citizen.
Embassies in the United States

If you have questions concerning dual citizenship, your visa, or con-
cerns with the naturalization process that you would like answered by
someone with specific knowledge about your home country, contact
that embassy here in the United States. There is a list of embassies in the
United States in Appendix A.
In Conclusion . . .
As you can see, and may encounter as you progress through the process,
there are many exceptions to the rules and special situations in the nat-
uralization process. Some of these may pertain to you and some of these
may not. Either way, it is important for you to know that they exist so
that you can decide what they mean to you. At any point during the
process, if you are confused and unsure if an exception applies to you,
seek professional help; contact your embassy, legal counsel, or the INS.
✰ ✰ ✰
CAR LA’S S TO RY
BECOMING A Citizen of the World: A note for U.S. parents of for-

eign-born children
Congratulations on your new baby! Soon after the initial excitement subsides,
new parents abroad have to start dealing with an overwhelming amount of red
tape related to establishing a child’s official identity and claim to a land. C’est
what? Yes, this can be a complicated process with which new parents have to con-
tend. Many children born in the past decade have parents of different nationalities,
or have been born as expatriates—outside of the United States. Our daughters had
a double whammy: born to expats living in Europe, with the added bonus of having
non-European parents (American mother, Canadian father). In the virtual world of

technology, geography and physical presence become irrelevant, but not in the
realm of government bureaucracy. Nowhere is it more obvious that policies have
not kept pace with the realities of globalization and international mobility, than in
the matter of dual nationalities.
To provide you with every detail surrounding newborn citizenships for each
country is virtually impossible, and quite likely to change by the time your little cit-
izen of the world is faced with the need for a passport photo. Keep in mind though
that the policy and the process are two different things; and, the policies are often
not reciprocal and usually conflict. Below, I’ve outlined the policies of the countries
that were relevant to us to give you an idea of the process and some helpful hints
based on one mom’s experience.
No matter where you find yourself when your baby is born, you can count on
numerous steps to establish his or her identity—registering of a newborn,
obtaining his or her passport, and acquiring residency permits and social insur-
ance numbers. With all of these steps come piles of documents, paperwork, and
stress! Nothing is simple, because official and unofficial policies coexist. What’s
written on paper and communicated by phone or in person usually differ when
it comes to establishing newborn citizenship. There seems to be lots of room
for interpretation in many personal cases. How many of you know people who
hold multiple passports, but their respective home countries don’t officially
allow it?
✰ RECIPROCAL: interchangeable; complementary
UNITED STATES
Excerpts from the written policy of the U.S. Embassy in Canada read: “. . . When a
person is naturalized in a foreign state (or otherwise possesses another nationality)
and is thereafter found not to have lost U.S. citizenship, the individual consequent-
ly may possess dual nationality. It is prudent, however, to check with authorities of
the other country to see if dual nationality is permissible under local law. The United
States does not favor dual nationality as a matter of policy, but does recognize its
existence in individual cases.” In other words, the U.S. government sort of turns a
blind eye to such cases. The government doesn’t need to know about dual citi-
zenship unless you wish to relinquish (give up) your U.S. citizenship. Why would
anyone want to relinquish his or her U.S. citizenship? One reason for some individ-
uals is because of the disadvantage associated with lifelong tax-filing obligation.
Unlike most other countries, tax liability is based on U.S. citizenship and not physi-
cal presence. This means that even if you choose to live abroad for the rest of your
life as a U.S. citizen, you must continue to pay taxes every year.
The process in the United States is relatively straightforward. It’s three-step
and hence involves three different applications: Certificate of Birth Abroad,
Passport, and Social Security Number. The first two are done on the spot and the
last can take up to six months. You need to present your child and swear in front
of the consul that all of the statements on your various application forms are true
and correct, at least to your knowledge. The part I found funny was that the pass-
port form requires you to indicate personal attributes such as eye and hair color.
Aren’t most babies initially bald with blue eyes? These things change, yet the pass-
port is valid for five years!
The only tricky part or hassle for some may be proving that you lived in the United
States as a citizen for five consecutive years following your 14th birthday. I bet you
never thought you’d have to dig out those high school or university records, tax fil-
ings, or W-2 forms! Among other reasons, the reason for showing proof of residen-
cy is because there’s been a recent crackdown due to the rise of child kidnappings.
The embassies/consulates abroad follow these rules strictly, so be prepared.
CANADA
The policy resembles that of the United States and the process is also relatively
straightforward, but the process takes longer. This passport is valid for ten years.
Your child will thus have to live with an embarrassing baby photo for a decade.
GERMANY
My first daughter was born in Germany, but she can claim Canadian and U.S. cit-
izenship through her parents, respectively, although she had never stepped foot in
either place. However, she cannot claim German citizenship. This is because
German-ness to this day is defined by blood. If you can prove that you are of
German descent, then you are entitled to its citizenship. I can’t provide much more
detail, as this was not the case for my daughter, so the process ended before it
started. If your child is a boy, Germany’s obligatory military service for all males may
be a strong consideration for you. Given that the United States has a voluntary
draft, this is something that one might not have thought about. Rules may change;
the French and other European governments have recently done away with their
obligatory military service. Your child would likely have the option of revoking his
citizenship by the time he turns 18 if he wasn’t interested in serving in the army.
In any case, you should be aware of the obligations as well as the privileges of
holding a particular citizenship.
FRANCE
The French policy is also very clear—dual citizenships are not allowed. In order for
an outsider to become a French citizen, they must renounce ties with their origi-
nal culture and accept the French constitution and language. Once again, I can’t
provide much detail beyond this, as we were not ready to deny my second daugh-
ter (who was almost born in Paris, like her Canadian father who does not have
French citizenship) her American or Canadian heritage just to be French. Once
again, the process ended before it started, but also because we moved on to yet
another European country—Spain!
SPAIN
In Spain, if both parents are non-European, then the child is not permitted to obtain
a Spanish passport at the time of birth. However, if the child legally resides in Spain
for two years, then the parents can apply for a passport. It is prohibited, though, to
possess a passport from more than one country; hence, your child would be required
to give up all other passports. Given that my daughter is only a few months old, and
we don’t actually know how long we’ll live here, we’ll wait and see what happens. It
may be worthwhile to apply for the Spanish passport, knowing that the laws change
regularly here. And, we see holding an EU passport as a benefit for future career pos-
sibilities, provided we can overcome the obstacles.
Confused? If so, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here are some basic practical
tips to help you survive the process, no matter what nationalities you will be pur-
suing for your children:
◆ Keep your official records/files accessible and well organized

◆ Be mindful about saving original documents like passports, medical and mar-
riage certificates, and other legal records
◆ Be prepared to take lots of newborn ID photos before you get it right, and
once you do, you’ll need to provide the proper format and size (this is some-
thing that is definitely not standardized across countries!)
◆ Be ready to repeatedly pay money for each little step in each country, such as
translation of documents into various languages
◆ Remain informed of the applicable countries’ laws because the myths and
realities of dual citizenship are ever-changing
◆ Be patient
In closing, have no fear; your baby will have an identity and will belong to at
least one nation—eventually—once all the paperwork is done. All of this is a small
price to pay in exchange for experiencing the world as a dual citizen. Be assured
that once you survive the bureaucratic process, you are giving your child a future
advantage both from a personal and professional standpoint. The pros of being
bicultural will continue to outweigh the cons as the world becomes more and more
interdependent in the twenty-first century. Holding dual nationalities will open up
many doors for your child’s future, if nothing more than providing him or her with
a wonderful international perspective—an asset no matter what land or path he or
she chooses. In the end, we can hope and expect that dual nationals will promote
better cross-cultural understanding.
APPENDIX A
Useful Contact Information
INS District and Sub-offices

The USINS has a comprehensive website with addresses, phone num-
bers, and other vital information regarding district offices and sub-
offices nationwide. To access the site, log on to: www.ins.usdoj.gov.
You can also call the INS toll-free at:
1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TTY)
Here is a state-by-state listing of district and sub-offices:
ALABAMA
Atlanta, Georgia District Office
Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building
77 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
ALASKA San Diego

Anchorage 880 Front Street
620 East 10th Avenue Suite 1234
Suite 102 San Diego, CA 92101
Anchorage, AL 99501 (District office serving San Diego and
Imperial counties.)
ARIZONA
Phoenix San Francisco
2035 North Central Avenue 444 Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004 San Francisco, CA 94111
(District office serving Alameda, Contra
Tucson Costa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt,
6431 South Country Club Road Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc,
Tucson, AZ 85706-5907 Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo,
(Sub-office serving Cochise, Pima, Santa Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma,
Cruz, Graham, and Pinal.) Stanislaus, Tehama, and Trinity.)
ARKANSAS Fresno
Fort Smith 865 Fulton Mall
4991 Old Greenwood Road Fresno, CA 93721
Fort Smith, AR 72903 (Sub-office serving Fresno, Inyo, Kern,
(Sub-office serving western Arkansas. Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced,
The district office is located in New Mono, and Tulare.)
Orleans.)
Sacramento
CALIFORNIA 650 Capitol Mall
Los Angeles Sacramento, CA 95814
300 North Los Angeles Street (Sub-office serving Alpine, Amador,
Room 1001 Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado,
Los Angeles, CA 90012 Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento,
(District office serving Los Angeles, San Joaquin, Sierra, Sutter, Tuolumne,
Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Yolo, and Yuba.)
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and
Ventura counties. There are also offices San Jose
in East Los Angeles, El Monte, Bell, 1887 Monterey Road
Bellflower, Westminster, Santa Ana, San Jose, CA 95112
Camarillo, Riverside, San Pedro, Los (Sub-office serving Monterey, San
Angeles International Airport, Lompoc, Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz.)
and Lancaster.)
Appendix A ◆ 121
COLORADO Orlando
Denver 9403 Tradeport Drive
4730 Paris Street Orlando, FL 32827
Denver, CO 80239 (Sub-office serving Orange, Osceola,
Seminole, Lake, Brevard, Flagler,
CONNECTICUT Volusia, Marion, and Sumter.)
Hartford
450 Main Street Tampa
4th Floor 5524 West Cypress Street
Hartford, CT 06103-3060 Tampa, FL 33607-1708
(Sub-office serving Connecticut. The dis- (Sub-office serving Citrus, Hernando,
trict office is located in Boston.) Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk,
Hardee, Manatee, Sarasota, De Soto,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Charlotte, and Lee.)
(WASHINGTON, DC)
4420 North Fairfax Drive West Palm Beach
Arlington, VA 22203 301 Broadway
(District office serving the entire state of Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Virginia and the District of Columbia)
(Sub-office serving Palm Beach, Martin,
St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee,
DELAWARE Hendry, Glades, and Highland counties.)
Dover
1305 McD Drive
GEORGIA
Dover, DE 19901
Atlanta
(Satellite office. District office is in
Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building
Philadelphia.)
77 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
FLORIDA
Miami
GUAM
7880 Biscayne Boulevard
Agana
Miami, FL 33138
(District Office) Sirena Plaza
108 Hernan Cortez Avenue
Suite 801
Jacksonville
Hagatna, Guam 96910
4121 Southpoint Boulevard
(Sub-office serving Guam and the
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Northern Mariana Islands. District office
(Sub-office serving Alachua, Baker, Bay,
Bradford, Calhoun, Clay, Columbia, is located in Honolulu.)
Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Franklin,
Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton,
Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette,
Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Nassau,
Okaloosa, Putnum, Santa Rosa, St.
Johns, Suwanee, Taylor, Union,
Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.)
HAWAII KANSAS
Honolulu Wichita
595 Ala Moana Boulevard 271 West 3rd Street North
Honolulu, HI 96813 Suite 1050
(District office serving Hawaii, the Wichita, KS 67202-1212
Territory of Guam, and the (Satellite office serving western Kansas.
Commonwealth of Northern Marianas.) The district office is located in Kansas
City, Missouri.)
IDAHO
Boise KENTUCKY
4620 Overland Road Louisville
Room 108 Gene Snyder U.S. Courthouse and
Boise, ID 83705 Customhouse
(Sub-office serving southwest and south Room 390
central Idaho. The district office is 601 West Broadway
located in Helena, Montana.) Louisville, KY 40202
(Sub-office serving Kentucky and parts of
ILLINOIS eastern Tennessee.)
Chicago
10 West Jackson Boulevard LOUISIANA
Chicago, IL 60604 New Orleans
701 Loyola Avenue
INDIANA New Orleans, LA 70113
Indianapolis (Serving Louisiana and southern
950 North Meridian Street Mississippi.)
Room 400
Indianapolis, IN 46204 MAINE
(Sub-office serving the state of Indiana Portland
except Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and St. 176 Gannett Drive
Joseph counties in northwest Indiana. Portland, ME 04106
Residents of those four counties are (Serving Maine and Vermont.)
served by the Chicago District Office.)
MARYLAND
IOWA Baltimore
Des Moines George H. Fallon Federal Building
210 Walnut Street 31 Hopkins Plaza
Room 369 Baltimore, MD 21201
Des Moines, IA 50302
(Satellite office. The district office is MASSACHUSETTS
located in Omaha, Nebraska.) Boston
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
Government Center
Boston, MA 02203
Appendix A ◆ 123
MICHIGAN NEBRASKA
Detroit Omaha
333 Mt. Elliott 3736 South 132nd Street
Detroit, MI 48207 West Omaha, NE 68144
(District office serving Nebraska and
MINNESOTA Iowa.)
St. Paul
2901 Metro Drive NEW JERSEY
Suite 100 Newark
Bloomington, MN 55425 970 Broad Street
(Serving Minnesota, North Dakota, and Newark, NJ 07102
South Dakota.) (District office serving Bergen, Essex,
Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris,
MISSISSIPPI Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and
Jackson Warren counties.)
Dr. A. H. McCoy Federal Building
100 West Capitol Street Cherry Hill
Suite B-8 1886 Greentree Road
Jackson, Mississippi 39269 Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(Sub-office serving Mississippi. The dis- (Sub-office serving Atlantic, Burlington,
trict office is located in New Orleans.) Camden, Cape May, Cumberland,
Gloucester, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean,
MISSOURI and Salem.)
Kansas City
9747 Northwest Conant Avenue NEW MEXICO
Kansas City, MO 64153 Albuquerque
(District office serving western Missouri 1720 Randolph Road, SE
and eastern Kansas.) Albuquerque, NM 87106
(Sub-office serving northern New
St. Louis Mexico. The district office is located in
Robert A. Young Building El Paso, Texas.)
1222 Spruce Street
Room 1.100 NEW YORK
St. Louis, Missouri 63103 Buffalo
(Sub-office serving eastern part of Federal Center
Missouri.) 130 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
MONTANA (District office serving the state of New
Helena York, with the exception of New York
2800 Skyway Drive City and its surrounding counties.)
Helena, MT 59602
(District office for Montana and northern
portions of Idaho.)
New York City Cincinnati

26 Federal Plaza J.W. Peck Federal Building
New York, NY 10278 550 Main Street
(District office serving the five boroughs Room 4001
of New York City, Richmond, Nassau, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Suffolk, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, (Sub-office serving the southern part of
Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Ohio.)
Westchester counties.)
Albany OKLAHOMA
1086 Troy-Schenectady Road Oklahoma City
Latham, New York 12110 4149 Highline Boulevard
(Sub-office serving Albany, Broome, Suite #300
Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Oklahoma City, OK 73108-2081
Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, (Sub-office serving Oklahoma. District
Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, office is located in Dallas.)
Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego,
Rensselaer, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, OREGON
Schenectady, Schoharie, Tioga, Portland
Warren, and Washington.) 511 NW Broadway
Portland, OR 97209
(District office serving Oregon.)
NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte
PENNSYLVANIA
210 East Woodlawn Road
Philadelphia
Building 6, Suite 138
1600 Callowhill Street
Charlotte, NC 28217
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(Sub-office serving North Carolina. The
(District office for Pennsylvania,
district office is located in Atlanta.)
Delaware, and West Virginia.)
NORTH DAKOTA Pittsburgh

St. Paul, Minnesota District Office 1000 Liberty Avenue
2901 Metro Drive Federal Building
Suite 100 Room 2130
Bloomington, MN 55425 Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4181
(Sub-office serving western Pennsylvania
OHIO and West Virginia.)
Cleveland
AJC Federal Building PUERTO RICO
1240 East Ninth Street San Juan
Room 1917 San Patricio Office Center
Cleveland, OH 44199 7 Tabonuco Street
(District office serving the northern part Suite 100
of Ohio.) Guaynabo, PR 00936
(District office serving Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
Appendix A ◆ 125
RHODE ISLAND TEXAS

Providence Dallas
200 Dyer Street 8101 North Stemmons Freeway
Providence, RI 02903 Dallas, TX 75247
(Sub-office serving Rhode Island.) (District office serving 123 northern
counties in the state of Texas and all of
SOUTH CAROLINA Oklahoma.)
Charleston
142-D West Phillips Road El Paso
Greer, SC 29650 1545 Hawkins Boulevard
(Sub-office serving South Carolina. The El Paso, TX 79925
district office is located in Atlanta.) (District office serving West Texas and
New Mexico.)
SOUTH DAKOTA
St. Paul, Minnesota District Office Harlingen
2901 Metro Drive 2102 Teege Avenue
Suite 100 Harlingen, TX 78550
Bloomington, MN 55425 (District office serving Brooks, Cameron,
Hidalgo, Kennedy, Kleberg, Starr, and
TENNESSEE* Willacy.)
Memphis
1341 Sycamore View Road Houston
Memphis, TN 38134 126 Northpoint
(Sub-office serving the eastern half of Houston, TX 77060
Arkansas, the top half of Mississippi, (District office serving southeastern
and the state of Tennessee. The district Texas.)
office is located in New Orleans.)
*(Naturalization cases in Anderson, San Antonio
Bedford, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, 8940 Fourwinds Drive
Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, San Antonio, TX 78239
Coffee, Franklin, Grainger, Greene, (District office serving Central and South
Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Texas.)
Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox,
Lincoln, Loudon, Marion, McMinn,
UTAH
Meigs, Monroe, Moore, Morgan, Polk,
Salt Lake City
Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier,
5272 South College Drive, #100
Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren,
Murray, UT 84123
Warren, and Washington counties fall
(Sub-office serving Utah. The district
under the jurisdiction of the Louisville,
office is located in Denver.)
Kentucky sub-office.)
VERMONT Spokane
St. Albans U.S. Courthouse
64 Gricebrook Road 920 West Riverside
St. Albans, VT 05478 Room 691
(Sub-office serving Vermont and New Spokane, WA 99201
Hampshire. The district office is located (Sub-office serving Adams, Chelan,
in Portland, Maine.) Asotin, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry,
Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan,
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Pend O’reille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla
Charlotte Amalie Walla, and Whitman.)
Nisky Center
Suite 1A First Floor South Yakima
Charlotte Amalie, 417 East Chestnut
St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Yakima, WA 98901
(Sub-office serving St. Thomas and St. (Sub-office serving Benton, Franklin,
John. The district office is located in Kittitas, Klickitat, and Yakima.)
San Juan.)
WISCONSIN
St. Croix Milwaukee
Sunny Isle Shopping Center 517 East Wisconsin Avenue
Christiansted Milwaukee, WI 53202
St. Croix, USVI 00820 (Sub-office serving Wisconsin. The dis-
(Sub-office serving St. Croix, U.S. Virgin trict office is located in Chicago.)
Islands. The district office is located in
San Juan.)
International Embassies in
the United States
VIRGINIA
Norfolk
The Republic of Afghanistan
5280 Henneman Drive
2341 Wyoming Avenue NW
Norfolk, Virginia 23513
Washington, DC 20008
(Sub-office serving southeastern Virginia.
Tel: 202-234-3770
The district office is located in
Fax: 202-328-3516
Washington, DC.)
The Republic of Albania

WASHINGTON 2100 S Street NW
Seattle Washington, DC 20008
815 Airport Way South Tel: 202-223-4942
Seattle WA 98134 Fax: 202-628-7342
(District office serving Washington, and
ten northern counties in Idaho.)
Appendix A ◆ 127
The Democratic and Popular Republic The Commonwealth of the Bahamas

of Algeria 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW
2118 Kalorama Road NW Washington, DC 20008
Washington, DC 20008 Tel: 202-319-2660
Tel: 202-265-2800 Fax: 202-319-2668
Fax: 202-667-2174
Embassy of the State of Bahrain
The Embassy of The Republic of 3502 International Drive NW
Angola Washington, DC 20008
2100-2108 16th Street NW Tel: 202-342-0741
Washington, DC 20009 Fax: 202-362-2192
Tel: 202-785-1156 www.bahrainembassy.org
Fax: 202-785-1258
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh
The Argentine Republic 3510 International Drive NW
1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington, DC 20007
Tel: 202-238-6400 Fax: 202-244-5366
Fax: 202-332-3171 www.bangladoot.org/
www.embassyofargentina-usa.org
Barbados
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW
2225 R Street NW Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976 Fax: 202-332-7467
Fax: 202-319-2982
Embassy of the Republic of Belarus
Embassy of Australia 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW
1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-797 3000 Fax: 202-986-1805
www.belarusembassy.org
Austrian Press & Information Service
3524 International Court NW Embassy of Belgium
Washington, DC 20008 3330 Garfield Street NW
Tel: 202-895-6775 Washington, DC 20008
Fax: 202-895-6772 Tel: 202-625.5854
The Republic of Azerbaijan Belize

927 15th Street NW 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Suite 700 Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202-842-0001 Fax: 202-332-6888
Fax: 202-842-0004
www.azembassy.com
Bolivia The Republic of Cape Verde

3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008 Washington, DC 20007
Tel: 202-483-4410 Tel: 202-965-6820
Fax: 202-328-3712 Fax: 202-965-1207
Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina The Central African Republic

2109 E Street NW 1618 22nd Street NW
Tel: 202-337-1500 Tel: 202-483-7800
Fax: 202-337-1502 Fax: 202-332-9893
Botswana The Republic of Chad

1531-3 New Hampshire Avenue NW 2002 R Street NW
Tel: 202-244-4990 Tel: 202-462-4009
Fax: 202-244-4164 Fax: 202-265-1937
www.chadembassy.org
Brazil
3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW Chile
Washington, DC 20008 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Fax: 202-238-2827
Tel: 202-785-1746
www.brasilemb.org/
Fax: 202-887-5579
www.chile-usa.org
The Republic of Bulgaria
1621 22nd Street NW
Embassy of the People’s Republic of
China
Tel: 202-387-0174
2133 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Fax: 202-234-7973
www.bulgaria-embassy.org
www.china-embassy.org
The Royal Cambodian Embassy

The Embassy of Columbia
4530 16th Street NW
2118 Leroy Place NW
Tel: 202-726-7742
Tel: 202-387-8338
Fax: 202-726-8381
Fax: 202-232-8643
e-mail:cambodia@embassy.org
Canada The Republic of Congo

501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 4891 Colorado Avenue NW
Tel: 202-682-1740 Tel: 202-726-5500
Fax: 202-682-7726 Fax: 202-726-1860
www.canadianembassy.org
Appendix A ◆ 129
Embassy of Costa Rica The Commonwealth of Dominica

2114 S Street NW 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW
Tel: 202-234-2945 Tel: 202-364-6781
www.costarica.com Fax: 202-364-6791
The Republic of Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Dominican Republic

Coast) 1715 22nd Street NW
Tel: 202-797-0300 The Embassy of Ecuador
2535 15th Street NW
Cuba Interests Section Washington, DC 20009
2630 and 2639 16th Street NW Tel: 202-234-7200
Tel: 202-797-8518
Fax: 202-986-7283 The Arab Republic of Egypt
3521 International Court NW
The Embassy of the Republic of Washington, DC 20008
Croatia Tel: 202-966-6342
2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW Fax: 202-244-4319
Washington, DC 20008-2853
Tel: 202-588-5899 El Salvador
Fax: 202-588-8936 2308 California Street NW
The Republic of Cyprus Tel: 202-265-9671
2211 R Street NW www.elsalvador.org
Tel: 202-462-5772 Equatorial Guinea
Fax: 202-483-6710 2020 16th Street NW
www.cyprusembassy.org Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-518-5700
Embassy of the Czech Republic Fax: 202-518-5252
3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW
Washington, DC 20008 Embassy of Estonia
Tel: 202-274-9100 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Royal Danish Embassy Tel: 202-588-0101
3200 Whitehaven Street NW Fax: 202-588-0108
Washington, DC 20008 www.estemb.org
Tel: 202-234-4300
Fax: 202-328-1470
Embassy of Ethiopia Ghana

3506 International Drive NW 3512 International Drive NW
Tel: 202-364-1200 Tel: 202 686-4520
Fax: 202-686-9551 Fax: 202-686-4527
www.ethiopianembassy.org www.ghana-embassy.org
Fiji Embassy of Greece

2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW 2221 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Suite 240 Washington DC 20008
Tel: 202-337-8320 Fax: 202-939-5824
Fax: 202-337-1996 www.greekembassy.org
Embassy of Finland Grenada

3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Tel: 202-298-5800 Tel: 202-265-2561
Fax: 202-298-6030
Guatemala
Embassy of France 2220 R Street NW
4101 Reservoir Road NW Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202-745-4952
Fax: 202-745-1908
The Gambia
www.mdngt.org/agremilusa/embassy.html
1155 15th Street NW
Suite 1000
The Republic of Guinea
2112 Leroy Place NW
Tel: 202-785-1399
Fax: 202-785-1430
Tel: 202-483-9420
www.gambia.com/index.html
Fax: 202-483-8688
The Embassy of Georgia

Guyana
1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW
2490 Tracy Place NW
Suite 300
Tel: 202-265-6900
Tel: 202-387-2390
Fax: 202-232-1297
Fax: 202-393-4537
www.georgiaemb.org
The Republic of Haiti
German Embassy 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW
4645 Reservoir Road Washington, DC 20008
Washington, DC 20007-1998 Tel: 202-332-4090
Tel: 202-298-4000 Fax: 202-745-7215
Fax: 202-298-4249 or 202-333-2653 www.haiti.org
Appendix A ◆ 131
The Holy See (Apostolic Nunciature) Embassy of the Republic of Iran

3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008 Washington DC 20007
Tel: 202-333-7121 Tel: 202-965-4990
Fax: 202-965-1073
Honduras
3007 Tilden Street NW Iraqi Interests Section
Suite 4M 1801 P Street NW
Tel: 202-966-7702 Tel: 202-483-7500
Fax: 202-966-9751 Fax: 202-462-5066
www.hondurasemb.org
Ireland
The Embassy of the Republic of 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Hungary Washington, DC 20008
3910 Shoemaker Street NW Tel: 202-462-3939
Washington, DC 20008 Fax: 202-232 5993
Tel: 202-362-6730 www.irelandemb.org
Fax: 202-966-8135
www.huembwas.org Embassy of Israel
3514 International Drive NW
Embassy of Iceland Washington, DC 20008
1156 15th Street NW www.israelemb.org
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005-1704 Embassy of Italy
Tel: 202-265-6653 3000 Whitehaven Street NW
Fax: 202-265-6656 Washington, DC 20008
www.iceland.org/us Tel: 202-612-4400
Fax: 202-518-2154
Embassy of India
2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW Jamaica
Washington DC 20008 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Fax: 202-265-4351 Tel: 202-452-0660
Fax: 202-452-0081
The Republic of Indonesia www.emjam-usa.org
2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036 The Embassy of Japan
Tel: 202-775-5200 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Fax: 202-775-5365 Washington, DC 20008
www.kbri.org Tel: 202-238-6700
Fax: 202-328-2187
Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom Laos Embassy

of Jordan 2222 S Street NW
3504 International Drive NW Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202-966-2664 Fax: 202-332-4923
Fax: 202-966-3110 www.laoembassy.com
www.jordanembassyus.org
Latvia
The Republic of Kazakhstan 4325 17th Street NW
1401 16th Street NW Washington, DC 20011
Tel: 202-232-5488 Fax: 202-726-6785
Fax: 202-232-5845 www.latvia-usa.org
www.kazakhstan-embassy-us.org
Lebanon
Embassy of the Republic of Kenya 2560 28th Street NW
2249 R Street NW Washington, DC 20008
Washington DC 20008 Tel: 202-939-6300
Tel: 202-387-6101 Fax: 202-939-6324
Fax: 202-462-3829 www.lebanonembassy.org
www.kenyaembassy.com
The Republic of Liberia
The Republic of Korea 5201 16th Street NW
Tel: 202-939-5600 Fax: 202-723-0436
Fax: 202-797-0595 www.liberiaemb.org
The Kyrgyz Republic The Embassy of the Republic of

1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW Lithuania
Washington, DC 20007 2622 Sixteenth Street NW
Tel: 202-338-5141 Washington, DC 20009-4202
Fax: 202-338-5139 Tel: 202-234-5860
www.kyrgyzstan.org Fax: 202-328-0466
www.ltembassyus.org
The State of Kuwait
2940 Tilden Street NW Luxembourg
Fax: 202-364-2868 Tel: 202-265-4171
Fax: 202-328-8270
www.luxembourg-usa.org
Appendix A ◆ 133
The Republic of Macedonia Mexico

3050 K Street NW 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 210 Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202-337-3063 Fax: 202-728-1698
Fax: 202-337-3093 www.embassyofmexico.org
Embassy of Madagascar in the United The Federated States of Micronesia

States 1725 N Street NW
Tel: 202-265-5525 Fax: 202-223-4391
Fax: 202-483-7603 www.fsmembassy.org
www.embassy.org/madagascar
The Republic of Moldova
Malaysia 2101 S Street NW
Washington, DC 20008 Tel: 202-667-1130/31/37
Tel: 202-328-2700 Fax: 202-667-1204
Fax: 202-483-7661 www.moldova.org
The Republic of Mali Mongolia

2130 R Street NW 2833 M Street NW
Tel: 202-332-2249 Tel: 202-333-7117
Fax: 202-332-6603 Fax: 202-298-9227
www.maliembassy-usa.org
The Kingdom of Morocco
Malta 1601 21st Street NW
2017 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-462-3611 Fax: 202-265-0161
Fax: 202-387-5470
www.foreign.gov.mt/ORG/ministry/ The Republic of Mozambique
missions/washington2.htm 1990 M Street NW
Suite 570
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania Washington, DC 20036
2129 Leroy Place NW Tel: 202-293-7146
Tel: 202-232-5700 www.embamoc-usa.org
Fax: 202-232-5701
Nepal The Sultanate of Oman

2131 Leroy Place NW 2535 Belmont Road NW
Tel: 202-667-4550 Tel: 202-387-1980
Fax: 202-667-5534 Fax: 202-745-4933
New Zealand Embassy The Islamic Republic of Pakistan

37 Observatory Circle 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Tel: 202-328-4800 Tel: 202-939-6200
Fax: 202-667-5227 Fax: 202-387-0484
www.nzemb.org www.pakistan-embassy.com
Royal Netherlands Embassy The Republic of Panama

4200 Linnean Avenue NW 2862 McGill Terrace NW
Tel: 202-244-5300 Tel: 202-483-1407
Fax: 202-362-3430
www.netherlands-embassy.org Embassy of Papua New Guinea
Nicaragua Suite 805
1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-939-6570 Fax: 202-745-3679
Fax: 202-939-6542 www.pngembassy.org
The Republic of Niger Paraguay

2204 R Street NW 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Tel: 202-483-4224 Tel: 202-483-6960
Fax: 202-234-4508
The Federal Republic of Nigeria
1333 16th Street NW Embassy of Peru
Fax: 202-462-7124 Tel: 202-833-9860
www.nigeriaembassyusa.org Fax: 202-659-8124
e-mail: peru@peruemb.org
Royal Embassy of Norway
2720 34th Street NW Embassy of the Philippines
Fax: 202-337-0870 Tel: 202-467-9300
www.norway.org Fax: 202-467-9417
Appendix A ◆ 135
Embassy of the Republic of Poland Sierra Leone

2640 16th Street NW 1701 19th Street NW
Tel: 202-234 3800 Tel: 202-939-9261
Fax: 202-328-6271 Fax: 202-483-1793
Embassy of Portugal Singapore Embassy

2125 Kalorama Road NW International Place NW
Tel: 202-328-8610 Tel: 202-537-3100
Fax: 202-462-3726 Fax: 202-537-0876
www.portugalemb.org
Embassy of the Slovak Republic
The State of Qatar 3523 International Court NW
4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008
Suite 200 Tel: 202-237-1054
Tel: 202-274-1600 www.slovakembassy-us.org
Fax: 202-237-0061
Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia
Embassy of Romania 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW
1607 23rd Street, NW Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-332-4846 Fax: 202-667-4563
Fax: 202-232-4748
Embassy of Spain
Embassy of the Russian Federation 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Chancery Washington, DC 20037
2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW Tel: 202-452-0100
Tel: 202-298-5700/01/04 South African Embassy
Fax: 202-298-5735 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW
The Republic of Rwanda Tel: 202-232-4400
1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW Fax: 202-265-1607
Tel: 202-232-2882 Sri Lanka
Fax: 202-232-4544 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW
www.rwandemb.org Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202-483-4025 to 28
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Fax: 202-232-7181
Washington, DC www.slembassy.org
Tel: 202-342-3800
www.saudiembassy.net
Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan The Republic of Togo

2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Tel: 202-338-8565 Tel: 202-234-4212
Fax: 202-667-2406 Fax: 202-232-3190
www.sudanembassyus.org
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Embassy of Sweden 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW
1501 M Street NW Washington, DC 20036
Suite 900 Tel: 202-467-6490
Tel: 202-467-2600
Fax: 202-467-2699 Tunisia
Embassy of Switzerland Washington, DC 20005
2900 Cathedral Avenue NW Tel: 202-862-1850
Tel: 202-745-7900
Fax: 202-387-2564 Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
The Syrian Arab Republic Washington, DC 20008
2215 Wyoming Avenue NW Tel: 202-612-6700
Tel: 202-232-6313
Fax: 202-234-9548 Embassy of Uganda
5911 16th Street NW
The Republic of China on Taiwan Washington, DC 20011
4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW Tel: 202-726-7100
Tel: 202-895-1800
Fax: 202-966-0825 Embassy of Ukraine
3350 M Street NW
The United Republic of Tanzania Washington, DC 20007
2139 R Street NW Tel: 202-333-0606
Washington, DC 20008 Fax: 202-333 0817
Tel: 202-939-6125
Fax: 202-797-7408 The United Arab Emirates
1255 22nd Street NW
Royal Thai Embassy Suite 700
1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20037
Washington, DC 20007 Tel: 202-955 7999
Tel: 202-944-3600
Fax: 202-944-3611
www.thaiembdc.org
Appendix A ◆ 137
The United Kingdom of Great Britain Western Samoa

and Northern Ireland 800 Second Avenue
3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW Suite 400D
Washington, DC 20008 New York, NY 10017
Tel: 202-588-6500 Tel: 212-599-6196
Fax: 202-588-7870 Fax: 212-599-0797
www.britainusa.com/consular/embassy/
embassy.asp Embassy of Yemen
2600 Virginia Avenue NW
Embassy of Uruguay Suite 705
2715 M Street NW, 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20037
Tel: 202-331-1313 Fax: 202-337-2017
www.embassy.org/uruguay www.yemenembassy.org
Embassy of the Republic of The Republic of Zambia

Uzbekistan 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Tel: 202-887-5300 Fax: 202-332-0826
Fax: 202-293-6804
The Republic of Zimbabwe
The Embassy of Venezuela 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW
1099 30th Street NW Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-342-2214 Fax: 202-483-9326
Fax: 202-342-6820 www.zimweb.com/Embassy/Zimbabwe
www.embavenez-us.org
The Embassy of Vietnam

1233 20th Street NW
Suite 400
Tel: 202-861-0737
Fax: 202-861-0917
www.vietnamembassy-usa.org
APPENDIX B
Community Based Resources and Organizations

Many local libraries and state governments offer free courses that help
citizenship qualified candidates through the entire naturalization
process, including preparation for the citizenship test given by the INS.
Check with your local library and government to see what they offer. In
addition, there are many national and community-based organizations
that assist candidates with everything from exam preparation to legal
services for free or low cost. The following is a list of some of these
organizations.
Asian-American Community Service Emerald Isle Immigration Center

Association Queens Office
11322-F East 21st Street 59-26 Woodside Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74129 Woodside, NY 11377
Tel: 918-234-7431 Tel: 718-478-5502
Fax: 918-234-3148 Fax: 718-446-3727
Ayuda, Inc. Bronx Office

1736 Columbia Road NW 280 East 236th Street
Washington, DC 20009 Woodlawn, NY 10470
Tel: 202-387-4848 Tel: 718-324-3039
Fax: 202-387-0324 Fax: 718-324-7741
www.ayudainc.org www.eiic.org
American Immigration Lawyers Ethiopian Community Development

Association Council, Inc.
918 F Street NW 1038 South Highland Street
Washington, DC 20004-1400 Arlington, VA 22204
Tel: 202-216-2400 Tel: 703-685-0510
Fax: 202-371-9449 Fax: 703-685-0529
www.aila.org www.ecdcinternational.org
Catholic Charities USA The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society

1731 King Street, Suite 200 333 Seventh Avenue, 17th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314 New York, NY 10001-5004
Tel: 703-549-1390 Tel: 212-967-4100
Fax: 703-549-1656 Fax: 212-967-4483
www.catholiccharitiesusa.org www.hias.org
Citizenship NYC Indo-American Center

Tel: 888-374-5100 6328 N. California Avenue
www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/cnyc.html Chicago, IL 60659
Tel: 773-973-4444
Colombian American Service Fax: 773-973-0157
Association (C.A.S.A.) www.indoamerican.org
3138 Coral Way
Miami, FL 33145 Korean American Coalition
Tel: 305-448-2272 3421 W. 8th Street, 2nd Floor
Fax: 305-448-0178 Los Angeles, CA 90005
www.casa-usa.org Tel: 213-365-5990
Fax: 213-380-7990
www.kac83.org
Appendix B ◆ 141
League of United Latin American Naturalization Services Program

Citizens Foundation (LULAC) Department of Community Services
1601 Matamoros Street and Development
P.O. Box 880 P.O. Box 1947
Laredo, TX 78042-0880 Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: 956-722-5544 Tel: 916-322-2940
Fax: 956-722-7731 Fax: 916- 319-5001
www.lulac.org www.csd.ca.gov/Naturalization.htm
Los Angeles Unified School District New Americans of Washington

Division of Adult and Career 615 Market Street, Suite G
Education Kirkland, WA 98052
P.O. Box 513307 Tel: 425-822-2523
Los Angeles, CA 90051 Fax: 425-822-2592
Tel: 213-625-3276 www.newamericans.com
www.lausd.k12.ca.us
New York Association for New
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Americans, Inc.
Service 17 Battery Place
National Headquarters New York, NY 10004-1102
700 Light Street Tel. 212-425-2900
Baltimore, MD 21230 www.nyana.org
Tel: 410-230-2700
Fax: 410-230-2890 Services, Immigrant Rights, and
www.lirs.org Education Network (SIREN)
778 North First Street, Suite 202
Maryland Office for New Americans San Jose, CA 95112
(MONA) Tel: 408-286-5680, x104
Department of Human Resources Vietnamese Q&A: 408-286-1448
311 West Saratoga Street www.siren-bayarea.org
Room 222
Baltimore, MD 21201 St. Anselm’s Cross-Cultural
Tel: 410-767-7514 Community Center
www.dhr.state.md.us/mona.htm 13091 Galway Street
Garden Grove, CA 92844
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Tel: 714-537-0608
Office for Refugees and Immigrants Fax: 714-537-7606
18 Tremont Street, Suite 600 www.saintanselmgg.org
Boston, MA 02108
Tel: 617-727-7888
Fax: 617-727-1822
TTY: 617-727-8149
www.state.ma.us/ori/ORI-homepage.html
Office of Migration & Refugee Services

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194
Tel: (202) 541-3000
www.nccbuscc.org
For more sites, search www.google.com using the following search

terms alone or in combination, including your home state or city: “nat-
uralization assistance, citizenship assistance, naturalization programs,
citizenship programs.”
APPENDIX C
Necessary INS Forms

The following INS forms and their instructions are exact duplicates of
some of the applications and petitions you may need to file during the
naturalization process. These are not for official use, but they are good
for helping to familiarize you with their format, and what you will need
to fill in. To obtain the official forms, you can download them, free of
charge, at www.ins.usdoj.gov, or call the INS Forms Request Line at 1-
800-870-3676. It is important to note that the INS periodically increas-
es the filing fees for many of these documents, so make sure that you are
aware of the proper fees before filing your paperwork.
Form N-400 Application for Naturalization

Form N-426 Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service
Form N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship
Form N-643 Application for Citizenship on Behalf of an Adopted Child
Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status—For

Academic and Language Students
Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
Form I-131 Application for Travel Document
Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
(Form is filed on behalf of an alien)
Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Form I-539 Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Form M-378 Color Photograph Specifications
APPENDIX D
Common INS Acronyms and Abbreviations

The following list contains definitions for many of the acronyms and
abbreviations found in the paperwork and resources you may come
across during the naturalization process. (Courtesy of the INS/U.S.
Department of Justice website, www.ins.usdoj.gov.)
A
ACE Accelerated Citizen Examination
ADIT Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunication
System
A File Basic Alien File (contains Alien number)
AILA American Immigration Lawyers Association
ARC Alien Registration Card (Green Card)
ASC Application Support Center (Naturalization)
ASVI Alien Status Verification Index
B
BCC Border Crossing Card (Mexico)
BCIC Border Crossing Identification Card (I-586)
BHRHA Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
BIA Board of Immigration Appeals
BP Border Patrol
BSC Baltimore Service Center
C
CAP Citizens Advisory Panel
CAP Cuban Adjustment Program
CBOs Community-Based Organizations
CBIC Canadian Border Intelligence Center
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CIJ Chief Immigration Judge
CIMT Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude
CIS Central Index System
CPS Current Population Survey (Census)
CUSA Citizenship U.S.A.
D
DDP Detention and Deportation Program
DED Deferred Enforced Departure
DFS Designated Fingerprint Service
DOE Date of Entry
DOL Department of Labor
DOS Department of State
E
EAD Employment Authorization Document
EFOIA Electronic Freedom of Information Act Initiative
EOIR Executive Office for Immigration Review
F
FCC Fingerprint Clearance Coordination Center
FD-258 Fingerprint Card
FLSA Fair Labor Standard Act
FOIA/PA Freedom of Information Act/ Privacy Act
FRC Federal Records Centers
G
GREEN CARD Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-151 or I-551)
H
HRO Human Resource Office
Appendix D ◆ 187
I
IA Immigration Agent
IAO Office of International Affairs
ICF Immigration Card Facility (Arlington, TX)
IDENT Automated Fingerprint Identification System
IDP In District Processing
IE Immigration Examiner
II Immigration Inspector
IIO Immigration Information Officer
IIRIRA Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
IJ Immigration Judge
INA Immigration and Nationality Act
IO Immigration Officer
IRCA Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
L
LAPR Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence
LAW Legally Authorized (or Admitted) Worker
LPR Lawful Permanent Resident
LULAC League of United Latin American Citizens
M
MIRP Mexican Interior Repatriation Program
N
NACS Naturalization Automated Casework System
NATZ Naturalization
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations
NINSC National INS Council
NIV Non-Immigrant Visa
NRC National Records Center
NSC Nebraska Service Center (Lincoln)
NTA Notice to Appear
NVC National Visa Center (Department of State)
O
OIL Office of Immigration Litigation
ONO Office of Naturalization Operations
P
PHS Public Health Services
POE Port-of-Entry
PRC Permanent Resident Card
R
RTD Refugee Travel Document
S
SAW Special Agricultural Workers
SIO Special Inquiry Officer (Immigration Judge)
SPC Service Processing Center
SW Southwest
T
TAPS Telephone Application Processing System
TSC Texas Service Center (Irving)
TRWOV Transit Without Visa
U
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
USC U.S. Citizen
USCS United States Customs Service
V
VD Voluntary Departure
VR Voluntary Return
VSC Vermont Service Center (St. Albans)
VWPP Visa Waiver Pilot Program
W
WRO Western Region Office (Laguna Niguel, CA)

US Citizenship

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

US Citizenship

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

US Citizenship

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What is the book about?

What is the book about?

What information is provided in the appendices?

What information is provided in the appendices?

U.S.

Felice Primeau Devine

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Printed in the United States of America

Regarding the Information in This Book

For Further Information

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I want to express my gratitude to my

INTRODUCTION: How to Use This Book ix

CHAPTER 1: Naturalization —An Overview of the 1

APPENDIX A: Useful Contact Information 119

How to Use This Book

Did You Know . . .

It All Starts Here

serve as a substitute for legal guidance. For information on resources for

✰ NATURALIZATION: the process of conferring the

✰ ELIGIBILITY: the state of being qualified to participate

Did You Know . . .

Chapter 4 covers the most important element of naturalization—the

The Outlook on Immigration

IN THE YEAR 2000, almost 900,000 people were naturalized as

Did You Know . . .

Census, Los Angeles County, California, with 4.2 million Latino

◆ You have been a lawful, permanent resident for at least five

In addition, you may be eligible if:

◆ You are a lawful permanent resident child of U.S. citizen

This will be discussed further in Chapter 2.

✰ GREEN CARD: an identity card attesting the

You may be wondering why you have to be fingerprinted. The

How, Where, and When to Study

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce

law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces

✰ ABJURE: to reject solemnly

Now that you have an overview of the naturalization process, let’s

DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY can be one of the most confusing

You must be at least 18 years old.

You must be a permanent resident of the United States,

You must have been a permanent resident for five years

◆ You are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, AND

July 1, 1996—Permanent Resident status granted

As of June 30, 2001, (five years as a permanent resident) total time

Since becoming a permanent resident, you must not have

You must have resided in the district or state in which you

You must be able to read, write, and speak basic English.

You must be able to pass the civics portion of the

You must be a person of good moral character.

✰ MORAL CHARACTER: one of the attributes or

Examples of Things that Might Show a Lack of Good

✰ FRAUD: an act of deceiving or misrepresenting

If you are male, you are required to register with the

✰ SELECTIVE SERVICE: a system under which

Did You Know . . .

If a man does not register with the Selective Service as per

You must never have deserted from the United States

You must never have received an exemption or discharge

You must be willing to perform either military OR civilian