In order to qualify for the benefits of being a U.S. citizen, one must be able to provide proof of citizenship.
Proof of citizenship can be documented in a variety of ways. Among the most common documents that establish US citizenship are:
* A U.S. Birth Certificate;
* A U.S. Passport;
* A Certificate of Citizenship; and
* A Naturalization Certificate.
If you were born in the United States, you were a US citizen at birth. You do not need to apply to USCIS for any evidence of citizenship. Your birth certificate (issued where you were born) is proof of your citizenship.
If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth or did not acquire U.S. citizenship automatically after birth, you may still be eligible to become a citizen through the normal naturalization process. Qualifying individuals who are 18 years and oder may submit an “Application for Naturalization” (N 400 Form) to become naturalized citizens. If you are already a naturalized U.S. citizen, then a copy of your naturalization certificate will prove your citizenship.
Immigration Direct
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
US Green Card for Family
Though journey of getting a green card for family seems to be easy, figuring out the exact steps and process becomes very tedious. Getting a green card and immigrating into the US to achieve citizenship has become a hot topic these days as many of the people aspire to live and work in the US. So is uniting with the family also becoming essential for many of those who prefer to live together with their family folks. Generally a person who is already a US citizen will be eligible to sponsor a green card, family unity being important to them. .
Getting green card for family:
One of the initial thoughts of getting a green card can be by using the relationship with a family member to apply. The path in obtaining the green card through family is possible if that family member is a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
To petition for a green card, family member has to first file an immigration petition. There should be enough proof that the petitioner who is a US citizen or permanent resident has qualifying relationship with the applicant. There are two conditions in which an applicant can apply for a green card. If the family member is in the US while filing the petition, the applicant can change his/her status to permanent residency or if the family member is outside the US while filing the petition, he/she is eligible for consular processing through the consulate or Embassy in their native country.
The green card for family member can be obtained for immediate relatives of the US citizen or a permanent resident. Generally, Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative, is used to file for the relative by the US citizen family member. The immediate relative refers to the spouse or child of the US citizen or the permanent resident. The applicant can be an immediate relative if the he/she is a child and is under the age of 21 years of age and is unmarried and it can be spouse or the parent of the US citizen. The family member can be either the child or the siblings and in particular child can be married/unmarried. The immediate relatives of U.S citizens generally the spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21) go to the front of the line and are also exempt from having to wait for a visa number. Instead, once the visa petition is approved the visa number becomes available to them automatically.
The U.S. State Department will determine the availability of the visa number once the petition is filed. If available, you can apply for a green card. The availability of the visa number can be tracked through the Visa bulletin. Getting the residence card or becoming a U.S. immigrant with the help of family members requires a whole different process and formalities as well. The most important thing in this case is that the application is not considered valid unless and until the supporting documents are valid and establish the requirements set forth by the USCIS.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The U.S. Citizenship Form N400
Want to become a US citizen and enjoy the advantages? As a US citizen, you have the right to vote in the US federal elections. You can also petition your family members for permanent stay in the US. You can also obtain citizenship for your children born abroad. Additionally, you have the right to enter and exit the US without any restrictions. These are a few of the many advantages you can enjoy as a US citizen. Having so many advantages of being a US citizen, it's time to know the citizenship process.
You can become a US citizen either by birth or through Naturalization. Persons born in the US are automatically citizens of the US and persons born to US citizens can also claim citizenship subject to certain conditions. Naturalization is a process where a person not born in the US becomes a citizen voluntarily. To get naturalized, you need to file form N400, Application for Naturalization.
Citizenship application Form N400:
As mentioned earlier, N 400 is the citizenship form that needs to be filed for Naturalization. All the eligibility requirements for filing the citizenship form has to be met before applying. You need to be a permanent resident for at least five years or three years if married to a US citizen and living with the citizen spouse for the past three years. You need to meet other requirements too. You need to be 18years or above.Additionally, you have to fulfill the Continuous residence and Physical Residence Requirement. A prolonged absence from the U.S. will break the continuity of your residence in the U.S. for naturalization purposes, although it may not affect your ability to return to the U.S. as a permanent resident. You should have resided in your current state for at least 3 months. Your current state is the state where you are submitting the citizenship form for naturalization.
The N-400 citizenship form can be downloaded from the USCIS website for free. But considering the sophisticated process involved, many private websites help applicants in preparing the citizenship form by charging a nominal fee.
After you submit the citizenship form to the USCIS, within 30 days, you will get an Application Receipt Notice with a 13-character Application Receipt number. This Receipt Notice is the proof that USCIS has received your completed citizenship form and that it is being processed. With this number, you will be able to check the status of your case. You will be then notified about the date you need to appear for fingerprinting. Meanwhile , national security background checks are conducted and finally you need to appear for an interview. In the interview, your English knowledge will be tested, so will the civics related to the US. If the US immigration officials are fully satisfied, your case will be approved. If rejected, you will be notified as how soon you can reapply using the same N-400 citizenship application form. Approving or rejecting your case depends on the transparency and truthfulness of your case. So in the best interest of the applicant, it is strongly advised to be honest in all your disclosures.
You can become a US citizen either by birth or through Naturalization. Persons born in the US are automatically citizens of the US and persons born to US citizens can also claim citizenship subject to certain conditions. Naturalization is a process where a person not born in the US becomes a citizen voluntarily. To get naturalized, you need to file form N400, Application for Naturalization.
Citizenship application Form N400:
As mentioned earlier, N 400 is the citizenship form that needs to be filed for Naturalization. All the eligibility requirements for filing the citizenship form has to be met before applying. You need to be a permanent resident for at least five years or three years if married to a US citizen and living with the citizen spouse for the past three years. You need to meet other requirements too. You need to be 18years or above.Additionally, you have to fulfill the Continuous residence and Physical Residence Requirement. A prolonged absence from the U.S. will break the continuity of your residence in the U.S. for naturalization purposes, although it may not affect your ability to return to the U.S. as a permanent resident. You should have resided in your current state for at least 3 months. Your current state is the state where you are submitting the citizenship form for naturalization.
The N-400 citizenship form can be downloaded from the USCIS website for free. But considering the sophisticated process involved, many private websites help applicants in preparing the citizenship form by charging a nominal fee.
After you submit the citizenship form to the USCIS, within 30 days, you will get an Application Receipt Notice with a 13-character Application Receipt number. This Receipt Notice is the proof that USCIS has received your completed citizenship form and that it is being processed. With this number, you will be able to check the status of your case. You will be then notified about the date you need to appear for fingerprinting. Meanwhile , national security background checks are conducted and finally you need to appear for an interview. In the interview, your English knowledge will be tested, so will the civics related to the US. If the US immigration officials are fully satisfied, your case will be approved. If rejected, you will be notified as how soon you can reapply using the same N-400 citizenship application form. Approving or rejecting your case depends on the transparency and truthfulness of your case. So in the best interest of the applicant, it is strongly advised to be honest in all your disclosures.
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