USCIS Update: Naturalization Eligibility and Voter Registration Through a State’s Benefit Application Process

Applying for U.S. citizenship can be an exciting, anxious, and frustrating time. It can be important to keep a cool head during the process. Attention to detail is more important than ever when thoroughly reviewing the Naturalization application. While we all make mistakes and are subject to oversights, making a mistake when applying for citizenship can set you back in time and in money. Furthermore, mistakes can result in the denial of an application, either permanently or temporarily. While you may view a mistake as relatively minor, it can still end-up costing you the whole application process. With hundreds of thousands dreaming of U.S. citizenship one day, let us discuss the most common mistakes that are made when applying for U.S. citizenship in the hopes that it encourages others to do their part in steering clear of them.

Common Mistakes Made When Applying for Citizenship

Before applying for citizenship, be sure to check and double-check that you meet all of the requirements for becoming a U.S. citizen. One of the most common mistakes made when applying for citizenship is that an individual is not, in fact, qualified to be granted citizenship in the first place. Essentially, this means that their application is doomed before the process even begins. Verify whether you have held a green card long enough and that you have the documents needed to establish your eligibility. Do you know when you need to submit these documents? Will the government see you as a person of “good moral character?” These are all important things to review and reflect upon.

Additionally, you should avoid the mistake of not preparing for the interview component of the citizenship application process. During your interview, the USCIS officer will ask you pointed questions about your naturalization application. Review your application prior to this interview. Be prepared to enter the interview with a cool head. This will help you listen and focus on what the interviewer is specifically asking so that you can properly answer the question and giving an accurate answer. You will also be asked to take a citizenship test which will ask questions about the United States, including its history. Study for this test! Also, if there is a potentially tricky situation pertaining to your application, do not wait until the interview process to address this issue.

Always review the answers on your N-400 Citizenship Application before you submit it. There are detailed instructions provided on the application. Review these instructions and be sure that you provided the appropriate information where asked and whether you provide enough information where requested. Are all sections completed? Do you have the correct supporting documentation you need to provide?

Providing the right supporting documents can be critical to the application’s success and many people get it wrong. There can seem like a never-ending list of documents you will need to provide. Include everything. Be sure that, when needed, provide translations for documents that are not in English. Furthermore, the translation of a document needs to be “acceptable” by government standards.

Another common mistake that can be easily avoided is inadvertently paying the wrong application fees. Should an incorrect payment be made, your application will be rejected. You will need to resubmit your application with the correct fees and will have suffered a needless delay. Your naturalization application must be submitted with the requisite $725 fee. This fee also includes the $85 fee for biometric services.

Immigration Law Attorneys

If you should have any questions or need more information about the ways in which the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Laws may impact you, your family, your friends or your colleagues, please contact the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Lawyers at the NPZ Law Group – VISASERVE – U.S. Immigration and Nationality Lawyers by e-mailing us at info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 (x104). You can also visit our Law Firm’s website at www.visaserve.com