American citizenship

You move here and live here for a while then take a test.

Go to the U.S. government’s, immigration and naturalization website, which contains specific information and the exact requirements necessary for people who want to become U.S. citizens. Immigrants who are permanent residents need to fill out the N-400 form which can be downloaded and printed directly from this website. It is necessary for a person to be a permanent resident prior to applying for citizenship. If you qualify, prepare for the citizenship test and interview by studying basic U.S. history and civics. You also must be able to demonstrate that you have basic proficiency in the English language. To improve your English skills and prepare for the citizenship test and interview, contact your local adult basic education or literacy program to locate an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor or tutor. ESL classes are a wonderful resource for immigrants and those seeking citizenship, and the classes and materials are offered free in most communities. It’s a good idea to contact your local library or community college to find out about the nearest classes or to get contact phone numbers for the classes. Taking the classes will bolster your self-confidence, make you feel connected to the community and to other people who have come to the U.S. from other countries, and help you with the nitty gritty of learning U.S. civics, history, and the English language. Fill out the N-400 (naturalization) form. The form can be downloaded and printed from the website. Your ESL instructor can help you fill it out.