Columbus Naturalization Lawyer

Helping 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), 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..

Call us 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 illegally.

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.

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 be also eligible for an exception to the English and civics tests if you cannot comply with these naturalization requirements if 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.