interview. Study hard, because if you fail the tests a second time, your application will be denied. Don’t worry — you’ll have plenty of time to prepare for your second test (usually between 60 and 90 days).
Recognizing Permanent and Temporary Bars to Naturalization
Are there any situations in which you can be automatically disqualified from ever becoming a U.S. citizen? You bet. Having committed certain crimes may cause you to lose your chance at citizenship — these are known as permanent bars to naturalization. A murder conviction on your record is a permanent bar to naturalization. If you were convicted of an aggravated felony that was committed on or after November 29, 1990, you’ve also lost your chance of becoming a U.S. citizen.
Other crimes are temporary bars to naturalization, meaning you must wait a designated time after committing the crime before you can become eligible to apply for citizenship. In Chapter 8, you can find out more about other ways you can be disqualified for citizenship.
In order to accommodate those with disabilities, certain applicants — those with a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment — may not be required to take the English and/or civics test. If you think you, or an immigrant you are assisting, may qualify for these exceptions, be prepared to file USCIS Form N-648 “Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions” along with the naturalization application. Don’t send in the application until a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or licensed clinical psychologist with knowledge of the case has completed and signed Form N-648. If you qualify for the English language proficiency portion of the test, be prepared to bring a qualified interpreter with you to your interview.
When it comes to gaining U.S. citizenship, age has its privileges in the form of easier English and/or civics test requirements:
If you are over 50 years old and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, you won’t have to take the English test. You will, however, be required to take the civics test in the language of your choice.
If you are over 55 years old and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling at least 15 years, you won’t have to take the English test. You will be required to take the civics test in the language of your choice.
If you are over 65 years old and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, you won’t have to take the English test. You’ll also be given a simpler version of the civics test in the language of your choice.
You must meet the age and permanent residency requirements at the time you file your Application for Naturalization in order to qualify for an age exception. Your time as a permanent resident need not be continuous, but it must total a period of at least 15 or 20 years. (We cover this topic in more detail in Chapter 4.)
Attending Your Swearing-In Ceremony
Assuming you pass your interview, you’ll receive a notice of when to attend your swearing-in ceremony, where you’ll take the Oath of Allegiance. (In some cases, the interviewing officer will give you the oath on the spot, and you’ll become a naturalized citizen then and there, but most often you’ll return another day for a ceremony.)
The Oath of Allegiance plays an important part in becoming a U.S. citizen, and it carries serious implications. The oath serves as your solemn promise to the government of the United States that you
Give up loyalty to other countriesYou may still have feelings of respect and admiration for your former homeland. You may even have family and friends still living there. However, in order to take the oath, your government loyalty must be to the United States and only to the United States.
Defend the Constitution and laws of the United StatesYou promise to protect the Constitution and all laws from all enemies, from other countries, or from inside the United States.
Obey the laws of the United StatesYou promise to obey the Constitution, follow the rule of law, and support human rights.Be loyal to the United StatesYou promise that your allegiance is to the United States only.
Serve in the U.S. military (if needed)You promise to use a weapon as a member of the U.S. military to protect the country's safety and security (if the U.S. government asks you to do so).
Serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)You promise to do other non-military work that is important to the country's safety and security (if the U.S. government asks you to do so).
Promise to keep the Oath of AllegianceYou solemnly and freely promise to exercise rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.
Taking the Oath of Allegiance is also known as Attachment to the Constitution. In this case, the word attachment means loyalty or allegiance.
Receiving your Certificate of Naturalization
After you’ve taken the Oath of Allegiance, you’ll be presented with your Certificate of Naturalization. Congratulations! You are now officially a citizen of the United States of America, and you can use your certificate to prove it. This legal document is quite ornate in appearance, resembling a diploma — one personalized with your photograph.
https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.PDF.
If it is not already in your seat at the ceremony, people from your county Registrar of Voters will hand you a voter’s registration card on your way out. Don't wait another minute — register to vote and exercise your right to participate in democracy!
You should also update your record with the Social Security Administration by applying for a new Social Security Card: www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf. Proudly check the “U.S. Citizen” box on Line 5 Citizenship.
If you have a U.S. driver’s license or state-issued identification card (ID), take this opportunity to update your record with the agency that issues driver’s licenses in your state. You may update your ID
