Q: What are the requirements and financial costs for becoming a U.S. citizen?
—M. Hunt, Cumming
A: To apply for U.S. citizenship, an individual must fill out an application for naturalization form, which is produced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to the agency, to be eligible for naturalization, an applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of the application.
- Have possessed a U.S. green card for at least five years.
- Have lived in the state or district from which he or she is applying for more than three months.
- Demonstrate continuous residence in the U.S. for the past five years, and have been present in the country for at least 30 months during that time.
- Be able to read, write, speak basic English and prove a general knowledge of American history and government.
- Be of good moral character.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the principles found in the Constitution.
The application form requires a copy of the applicant’s green card, a check or money order providing payment for the application fees and, for people applying from outside of the country, two identical color photographs. There are also special requirements depending on the person’s circumstances, such as if the applicant is married or serving in the military.
Filing a naturalization form currently costs $640, and every applicant also must pay a biometric services fee of $85. There are also applications for reducing certain fees or waiving them entirely (available at uscis.gov).
Q&A on the News runs Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Dillon Thompson of Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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