Naturalization is the legal process by which a foreign-born permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen. Once naturalized, you gain full and equal standing under the law, including the right to vote, hold a U.S. passport, petition for family members, and access federal benefits unavailable to non-citizens. To qualify, you generally must be a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), meet continuous residence and physical presence requirements, pass an English and civics test, and demonstrate good moral character.

Before filing Form N-400, review all U.S. citizenship requirements, check whether you qualify for exceptions to the English and civics test, and if you have any past criminal history, read about how criminal records affect naturalization eligibility. Contact our office to evaluate your eligibility before you file.

1. File Form N-400. Submit your Application for Naturalization with required supporting documents and the USCIS filing fee. Accuracy here matters — errors are a leading cause of delays and RFEs.
2. Biometrics appointment. USCIS will schedule you for fingerprinting at a local Application Support Center. Your fingerprints are submitted to the FBI for a background check.
3. USCIS interview. An officer reviews your application, tests your English, and administers the civics exam. If you meet all requirements, you are scheduled for the oath ceremony.
4. Oath of Allegiance. You become a U.S. citizen the moment you take the Oath of Allegiance, renouncing prior allegiances and pledging to support the Constitution.

An applicant filing under the general naturalization provision may file his or her application up to 90 days before he or she would first meet the required 5-year period of continuous residence as a legal permanent resident. Although an applicant may file early according to the 90 day early filing provision, the applicant is not eligible for naturalization until he or she has reached the required 5 year period of continuous residence as a legal permanent resident.

USCIS calculates the early filing period by counting back 90 days from the day before the applicant would have first satisfied the continuous residence requirement for naturalization. For example, if the applicant would satisfy the five-year continuous residence requirement for the first time on June 10, 2015 USCIS will begin to calculate the 90-day early filing period from June 9, 2015. In such a case, the earliest that the applicant is allowed to file would be March 12, 2015 (90 calendar days earlier).

Our Approach

Why Work With Sakhniuk Immigration Law

Attorney-Led Review

Your case handled or personally overseen by a licensed immigration attorney, not a paralegal or document preparer.

Multilingual Service

We serve clients in English, Russian, and Ukrainian. Explain your situation in the language you are most comfortable with.

Proven Naturalization Success

High success rates guiding applicants through the N-400 process, from initial eligibility review to the oath ceremony.

Transparent Flat Fees

No surprise billing. Most services are flat-fee so you know exactly what you pay from day one.

We Walk With You

We care about your outcome, not just paperwork. You get a dedicated point of contact at every stage of the process.

Serving Families Worldwide

Chicago office, clients in all 50 states and abroad. Trusted by U.S., Russian & Ukrainian communities for over a decade.

What We Do For You — Step by Step

1. Initial Eligibility Assessment
   Attorney-led review of your residency timeline, physical presence, continuous residence, moral character history, and all naturalization requirements.
2. Personalized Roadmap & Timeline
   A clear written plan, including optimal filing date, steps, required documents, and fees, so you know exactly what to expect and when.
3. Form N-400 Preparation
   We prepare your N-400 application with precision, every question answered correctly and consistently with your immigration history.
4. Document Checklist & Evidence Planning
   Custom checklist of green card copy, travel records, tax returns, and any required supporting documentation for your specific situation.
5. Document Review & Quality Control
   Line-by-line attorney review of your application and all supporting evidence to eliminate errors before USCIS receives your file.
6. Filing & Receipt Confirmation
   We file your application and confirm USCIS receipt, then track your case through each processing stage.

7. Biometrics Appointment Prep
   We explain what to bring, what to expect, and how background checks work so your biometrics appointment goes smoothly.
8. Interview Preparation & Mock Sessions
   Comprehensive coaching on the civics test, English language interview, and officer questions, so you attend confident and prepared.
9. Proactive RFE Prevention & Response
   We build filings to minimize RFEs. If one arrives, we respond quickly with legal analysis and supplemental evidence.
10. Advocacy on Complex Issues
    If prior criminal history, travel gaps, tax issues, or selective service questions arise, we advise on how to address them effectively.
11. Post-Oath Guidance
    After the ceremony, we advise on obtaining your passport, updating records, and any post-naturalization steps needed.
12. Continuous Communication
    Timely updates, direct access to our team, and a dedicated contact so you always know where your case stands.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about how to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Q

How long does the naturalization process take from filing to the oath ceremony?

Currently 12-24 months at most USCIS field offices, depending on the processing queue. You can check current processing times at uscis.gov.

Q

What form do I use to apply for naturalization?

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. It can be filed online through myUSCIS or submitted by mail.

Q

What happens at the naturalization interview?

A USCIS officer reviews your application, tests your English, and administers the civics test (10 questions from the official 100-question list). You must answer at least 6 correctly.

Q

What is the N-400 filing fee?

$760 as of the current USCIS fee schedule (online filing). Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income applicants using Form I-912.

Q

Can my children automatically become citizens when I naturalize?

Under the Child Citizenship Act, a child under 18 who is a lawful permanent resident living with you may acquire citizenship automatically. An attorney should confirm eligibility for each child's specific circumstances.

Q

Can I keep my original citizenship when I naturalize as a US citizen?

The US does not prohibit dual citizenship. Whether your home country allows it depends on its laws. Many countries permit their citizens to hold US citizenship. Consult an attorney if you are uncertain.