Columbus Naturalization Lawyer

Helping Columbus Clients Navigate the Process! We Also Serve Fairfax, VA, Cleveland, OH, Southfield, MI, and Washington, D.C.

There are three ways to become a citizen of the United States: The Right of Blood (Jus Sanguinis), the Right of Birthplace (Jus Soli), and Naturalization. The process of naturalization requires the assistance of a skilled and experienced Columbus immigration attorney.

The Law Firm Of Shihab & Associates is here to help you with the naturalization process. We have over 50 years of experience to put to work for you. We have helped clients successfully in Fairfax, Columbus, Cleveland, Southfield, and Washington, D.C.

Because we regularly assist clients whose cases are handled through the USCIS offices serving central Ohio, we are very familiar with how background checks, interview scheduling, and oath ceremonies are typically processed. A Columbus citizenship attorney from our team can review your history for any issues that might raise questions during your interview, such as extended trips abroad or prior arrests, and suggest steps to address them before you file. By preparing in advance, many clients feel more confident walking into the USCIS interview and answering the officer’s questions clearly.

Call an experienced citizenship attorney at (888) 915-5057 to get started on your case.

How to Become a U.S. Citizen

The Right of Blood method is an automatic grant of citizenship which bases a person's right to United States citizenship on their parent's citizenship. If at least one parent is a United States citizen at the time of the child's birth, then the child is granted U.S. citizenship even if he or she is born outside of the United States.

The second method of obtaining automatic U.S. citizenship is called Right of Birthplace (Jus Soli), which is based on the constitutional premise that a child born in the United States is automatically granted citizenship regardless of whether his or her parents are U.S. citizens. Under this method, a child born in the United States is a citizen even if his or her mother is present in the United States without lawful status.

Naturalization is the final method of obtaining U.S. citizenship. It is not an automatic grant of citizenship; the applicant must qualify under the naturalization requirements – though minors become citizens automatically when their parent naturalizes. The naturalization process consists of completing an application, attending an interview, and passing a civics and English proficiency test. These tests can be waived under certain circumstances.

For adults seeking to naturalize in Ohio, it is also important to think about how your life in the United States will be reviewed by the government officer handling your case. A Columbus citizenship lawyer can walk you through each stage of the N-400 application, explain what documentation you should gather, and help you understand how issues like prior immigration violations, tax problems, or child support obligations might affect your case. We can also discuss how your future plans, such as travel abroad or employment, may interact with your new rights and responsibilities as a U.S. citizen.

An applicant is exempt from taking the English proficiency test and may take the civics test in their native language if they are:

• Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years (the "50/20" exception).
• Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the "55/15" exception).

You may also be eligible for an exception to the English and civics tests if you cannot comply with these naturalization requirements because you are mentally impaired or because of a physical or developmental disability.

Eligibility for Naturalization

To be eligible for naturalization, one must be:

• At least 18 years old
• A lawful permanent resident of the United States
• A resident and physically present in the United States for at least five years at the time of the application
• Of "good moral character”

To determine whether you are eligible for naturalization, USCIS has established a Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet. If you meet these requirements, you may apply for naturalization.

Defining Good Moral Character

To be a naturalized citizen, you must be a person of “good moral character”. Good moral character has been interpreted by the courts as character that measures up to the standards of average citizens of the community in which the applicant resides. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") will make a determination on your moral character based upon the laws Congress has passed. USCIS will consider many factors in assessing whether or not you have exhibited good moral character during your five-year period of review, which starts on the date you submit your "Application for Naturalization" (N-400). If the applicant is married to a U.S. citizen, the period of good moral character review is three years. However, USCIS may still take into consideration the applicant's conduct and acts at any time prior to the five-year (or three-year) period.

Typically, in the good moral character review, USCIS will check your immigration record for any evidence of lying and your criminal record for any arrests, convictions, or crimes that involve "moral turpitude." This means that USCIS will be looking for any evidence that you have done anything contrary to justice, honesty, modesty, or good morals. You should report all arrests, convictions, and crimes in your past to USCIS, regardless of how major or minor they may be. If you do not and USCIS discovers them, your naturalization would be denied simply because you exhibited a lack of good moral character by failing to report it.

There are also some crimes that are so void of any positive moral characteristics that they result in a permanent bar to naturalization. For instance, if an applicant has ever been convicted of murder, or has ever been convicted of an "aggravated felony" on or after November 29, 1990, then they can never become a U.S. citizen. An aggravated felony is a "crime of violence" for which the term of imprisonment is at least one year.

If it is determined that you lack good moral character, there are many damaging things that could occur aside from a denial of your application. Potentially, you could be removed from the country if you have committed a major crime. This is a serious issue, so if you have questions or need advice as to how to proceed, do not hesitate to contact a naturalization attorney in Columbus at The Law Firm Of Shihab & Associates so that we may properly assist you throughout the naturalization process.

Preparing for Your Naturalization Interview in Columbus

After your N-400 is filed, most of the important steps in your case happen at the local level, including your biometrics appointment and naturalization interview. For applicants living in central Ohio, these appointments are typically scheduled through the USCIS offices that serve Columbus and surrounding communities. Understanding what will happen at each step can reduce stress and help you arrive prepared with the right identification, documents, and expectations. We are ready to guide our clients through this timeline so they know what will happen next and how to respond if they receive additional requests from USCIS.

During the interview, the officer will review your application with you, ask questions about your background, and administer the required English and civics tests unless you qualify for an exception. A Columbus naturalization attorney from our firm can help you practice answering common questions clearly and honestly, review your travel and employment history for consistency with your application, and identify any issues that might require additional explanation. We also explain how to handle topics such as prior arrests, immigration violations, or name changes so you can address them calmly and accurately during the interview.

If your case is approved, USCIS will schedule you to take the Oath of Allegiance, often at a ceremony held within driving distance of downtown Columbus, where you will receive your naturalization certificate. We talk with clients about planning for this final step, including updating Social Security records, applying for a U.S. passport, and registering to vote under Ohio law once they become citizens. By understanding the full process from filing to oath ceremony, you can make informed decisions about work, travel, and family obligations while your case is moving forward.

Reach Out to a Columbus Citizenship Lawyer Today

If you have questions about an immigration visa or green card matter, and/or you need help in an immigration process, please reach out to our Columbus immigration attorneys. The Law Firm Of Shihab & Associates is happy to assist you with the complicated process of naturalization.

When you contact our office, we can discuss whether now is the right time for you to pursue citizenship based on your current immigration status, travel history, and any prior encounters with law enforcement. A Columbus Citizenship Lawyer from our team can also explain what to expect at the USCIS field office that typically serves Franklin County residents and how long naturalization cases in this area usually take from filing to the oath ceremony. By understanding the process clearly before you begin, you can make informed decisions and prepare your family and work schedule around the key milestones in your case.

You can reach a qualified citizenship lawyer at (888) 915-5057 to request a consultation.