Week 1: About the application for citizenship

What is your name?

My name is Eric.

Do you want to legally change your name?

Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.

What is your current address?

I’m sorry?

Where do you live?

I live at 7931 NE Halsey St., Portland Oregon, 97213. / I live in Southeast Portland.

Where were you born?

In / I was born in

Review: The Citizenship Test

1. How many parts are in the citizenship test?
2. How many sentences do you need to read clearly for the reading test?
3. How many clear sentences do you need to write for the writing test?
4. Why does the officer ask you questions about your N400 Citizenship Application?
   • Reason 1:
   • Reason 2:
5. What information is in the civics test?
6. If you have the old civics test, how many correct questions do you need?
7. If you have the new civics test (application after December 1, 2020), how many correct questions do you need?

The N400 Application

The application for citizenship is also called Form N-400. You can find the N400 application online, here.

The application has 20 pages of questions. It is very important to understand the questions and your answers.

If there are mistakes or incorrect information, the application can be denied (stopped, cancelled).

One important question is about eligibility. This means: can you become a citizen?

If you want to apply to become a citizen, you must:

• Be a lawful permanent resident for 4 years and 9 months or more
  • Or: Be a lawful permanent resident married to a US Citizen for 3 years or more
• Lived in the United States for 30 months or more in the last 5 years
• Never have taken a trip outside of the US that was more than 1 year
• Lived in your state for 3 months or more
• Be a good person 😊

SOAR Immigration Legal Services can help people prepare the application. Usually, you can consult with a lawyer or immigration representative for $50. Four times every year, you can meet with them on “Citizenship Day” for free. You can find their information here.

If you apply by yourself, please check all the information online about what documents you should send with the N400.

With the application and documents, most people must send a check or money order for $725 to the Department of Homeland Security. This is the application fee.

There is (in January 2021) still a fee waiver that makes the application fee less, or free. SOAR can help answer questions about this, or you can read more online.