A licensed attorney skilled in citizenship matters can assist you with questions about your situation. A local bar association can often provide a good referral.
The lawyer's level of experience – Although there are many competent immigration lawyers with less experience than veteran immigration lawyers, it's vital that you seek someone with a good reputation in terms of the clients they have represented in the past.
Only a small proportion of readers (6%) hired nonlawyers to help with their citizenship applications. That makes sense, given the risks of hiring paralegals or notaries for immigration cases. Does Having an Immigration Lawyer Make a Difference in Citizenship Applications?
This process of applying for U.S. citizenship is called naturalization. Before you file the citizenship application with the USCIS, you need to find out if you are eligible to apply for citizenship and rule out the possibility that you might already be a U.S. citizen. Generally, you can become a U.S. citizen at birth or after birth.
It is advisable to seek the help of an immigration attorney in moving forward with your Naturalization process. An attorney can help you: Determine your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen. Gather all information and documents required to prove your eligibility.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? No. You can file USCIS forms yourself, including Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, which can be submitted online. However, some people choose to seek assistance from a lawyer or Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)-accredited representative.
Can anyone serve as an Immigration Forms Specialist? According to the USCIS, anyone may provide limited, non-legal help with immigration forms and charge for those services. However, the states determine the qualifications required, including whether or not you need to be an attorney.
The immigration process can be intimidating and take a long time, but hiring an immigration attorney to support you with your case can speed up the process and help you meet your goals.
$725The current naturalization fee for a U.S. citizenship application is $725. That total includes $640 for application processing and $85 for biometrics services, both of which are nonrefundable, regardless of whether the U.S. government approves or rejects an application.
Though the interview does not require your immigration and naturalization attorney to be present, there are benefits of having a lawyer at citizenship interview. The experienced attorneys at Scott D. Pollock & Associates P.C. are able to help you study, prepare, and protect you during your citizenship interview.
Here are some guidelines to help you find a good immigration lawyer.Ask Friends or Other Contacts for an Immigration Lawyer Referral. ... Contact a Lawyer Bar Association. ... Research Immigration Lawyers Online. ... Beware of Non-Lawyers Offering Legal Services. ... Contact Prospective Immigration Attorneys.
Most Form I-90 applications require a USCIS filing fee of $455 plus a biometric screening fee of $85. In some limited cases, certain applications may require no fee. To determine your exact fee, choose the reason why you are filing: Choose the reason why you are filing Form I-90.
Immigration forms can be ordered directly from the USCIS website or via telephone through the USCIS forms request line at 1-800-870-3676. Bulk form orders must be processed through the Government Printing Office (GPO) online at http://www.bookstore.gpo.gov or by telephone at 1-866-512-1800.
around 6-24 monthsThe current average processing time for Form N-400 is around 6-24 months (as of August 2022). Generally, however, the speed of processing depends on the USCIS field office handling the application, and some applicants can get a head start on the process (see “Filing Early” below).
To request expedited processing of your naturalization application, you can either go through the USCIS Contact Center (800-375-5283) or write a letter to your local USCIS field office. Be ready to prove the reason you need expedited processing with documentation backing up your statements.
While an immigration attorney cannot per say “speed up” your case, the immigration attorney is knowledgeable in immigration law and will know the best strategy and options for your case. Undeniably, this avoids any unreasonable delay by anyone lacking specialized knowledge in this area of law.
about 20 minutesA typical citizenship interview lasts about 20 minutes, but the exact timeframe varies by applicant.
Your tax returns are very important proof that you are eligible for naturalization. On the day of your interview, bring certified tax returns for the last 5 years (3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen).
Bring the following documents to the appointment:Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card;Appointment notice; and.A second form of identification (driver's license, passport, or state identification card). Your second form of identification must have your photograph on it.
Most will already be familiar to you because you've previously answered the same questions in your citizenship application....RESIDENTIAL HISTORYWhere do you currently live?How long have you lived there?Where else have you lived in the past five (or three) years?When did you live there?