How To Become A Citizen If You Are Married To A U.S. Citizen Legitimately

One of the highest priorities for granting permanent resident visas for U.S. citizenship under immigration law is reuniting families, especially immediate family members or spouses.  Spouses of American citizens who want to become citizens themselves must first obtain immigrant visas for permanent residence.  That can be complicated and detailed, so consulting legal counsel can expedite the process. 

First, spouses of U.S. citizens should begin the naturalization process by having their spouses sponsor them for immigrant visas.  Family categories for visas, especially those including spouses, carry the highest priority under immigration law, and are therefore the quickest path to obtaining permanent residence visas.  That marriage relationship must be well established for the spousal application for visas to be approved.  An immigration attorney can help the petitioner prepare and present evidence for that relationship on applications for visas.  Many forms and fees are required to complete applications for permanent resident visas, which an immigration attorney can facilitate.
 
Once applications for permanent residence visas are complete and approved, applicants receive their visas.  These visas are generally granted more quickly for spouses since there are no quotas required for immediately family member visas. 

The Naturalization Process

Once spouses of U.S. citizens have received their permanent resident visas, they can begin the process of applying for citizenship, or naturalization.  This is even more complicated than obtaining permanent residence visas, so it is important to find an experienced legal assistant immediately.  They can make the applicant aware of the requirements for the naturalization process and keep them on track for fulfilling those naturalization requirements in a thorough and timely manner.  Without the assistance of an immigration attorney, even the slightest misstep or error can result in delay or failure.

Requirements for Naturalization

• In order to complete the naturalization process, spouses of U.S. citizens must have first worked with an immigration attorney to obtain their immigration visas.  Once immigration visas have been granted, applicants for naturalization need to fulfill a number of other requirements. 
• They must Maintain continuous residence as allowed by their permanent residence visas in the U.S. for five years.  However, for spouses of U.S. citizens, that residence requirement is only three years. 
• Immigration attorneys must be able to provide evidence of their physical presence in the U.S. at least fifty percent of that time in order to fulfill this requirement in the naturalization process. 
• Provide proof, with the help of their immigration attorney, that they are eighteen years old or older  
• Have the proficiency to read and write basic English, although older applicants with immigration visas may be exempt because of long-time residence.
• Have an understanding of U.S. history, government, and politics the naturalization exam.  Those who have trouble taking exams should let their immigration attorney coach them, even though these exams may be taken more than once
• Demonstrate good moral character.  The USCIS will thoroughly investigate the naturalization applicant’s background, especially while they were in residence under their U.S. immigration visas, to ensure that there is no evidence of vices like regular drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, gambling, or lying  
• Exhibit a commitment to constitutional principles, including the Bill of Rights and a representative democracy.  Immigration attorneys can help prepare the candidate for naturalization with the kind of information they will need to know
• Pledge their allegiance to this country, promising to support the Constitution and be willing to defend her if necessary. 

An immigration attorney can be invaluable in helping those spouses with permanent residence visas seeking naturalization to provide the necessary paperwork and fees.  The evidence necessary to fulfill these naturalization requirements can also be effectively presented by skilled immigration attorneys.  Naturalization applicants can also count on experienced immigration attorneys to coach them for the exams they will face.  Above all, immigration attorneys will encourage spousal naturalization candidates to be honest and thorough in all of their answers.  Nothing will sabotage a naturalization application faster than dishonesty.

The Naturalization Process

A spouse applying for U.S. naturalization must complete the application for naturalization with the help of an immigration attorney and provide evidence that they have fulfilled all the requirements for naturalization.  Next, an immigration attorney should help the applicant get fingerprinted and fulfill all other security requirements.  The naturalization process continues with the candidate with their immigration attorney attending an interview with USCIS officials and taking the English and civics tests which their immigration attorney should have thoroughly prepared them for in advance.  If the naturalization candidate passes all the tests and interviews successfully, they are ready to take the final step in the naturalization process:  the oath of allegiance.  Friends and family members, as well as their immigration attorney, will want to attend the swearing-in ceremony, which makes them official U.S. citizens.