Become a U.S. citizen through naturalization — the final step in your immigration journey. Attorney Shair guides you through eligibility, the N-400 application, civics test preparation, and the oath ceremony.
Naturalization is the legal process by which a foreign national who is already a lawful permanent resident (LPR) becomes a U.S. citizen. It is the final milestone in the immigration journey — and one of the most meaningful. Once you become a U.S. citizen, you gain the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including the right to vote, to hold a U.S. passport, and to pass citizenship to your children.
The naturalization process is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and requires meeting specific requirements related to age, continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, English language ability, and knowledge of U.S. history and government.
"Naturalization is not just a legal milestone — it is a life-changing moment. Attorney Shair treats every N-400 case with the care and precision it deserves, ensuring your path to citizenship is smooth and successful."
You must maintain continuous residence in the U.S. for 5 years before filing (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen). A single trip outside the U.S. of 6 months or more creates a rebuttable presumption of broken continuous residence. A trip of 12 months or more presumptively breaks residence entirely. Attorney Shair will review your travel history to ensure you meet this requirement before filing.
For the 5-year rule, you must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months out of the 5 years before filing. For the 3-year rule (married to a U.S. citizen), you must have 18 months of physical presence in the 3 years before filing. Unlike continuous residence, short trips abroad count against your physical presence calculation.
Certain convictions may bar naturalization permanently or temporarily. Murder and aggravated felonies are permanent bars. Other crimes involving moral turpitude committed within the statutory period may temporarily disqualify you. Any criminal history — including arrests without convictions — must be disclosed and reviewed carefully by an attorney before filing. Do not file N-400 without legal advice if you have any criminal history.
The United States does not formally require you to renounce your original citizenship when naturalizing — you take an oath that includes a renunciation clause, but many countries do not recognize this as a renunciation. Whether you can maintain dual citizenship depends on the laws of your original country. Attorney Shair can advise on the practical implications, but recommends consulting with an attorney in your home country as well.
Naturalization applications are denied for seemingly minor issues — undisclosed travel, tax compliance gaps, or misunderstood criminal records. Attorney Shair reviews your complete history before filing to identify and address any potential obstacles. He prepares you for the interview, helps you study for the civics test, and ensures your N-400 package is complete and accurate from the start.
Attorney Shair will review your eligibility and guide you through every step — free of charge.