Steps to Citizenship By Melissa & Cassie The first way to become a citizen you have to Submit an Application. To apply for naturalization you must submit an Application for Naturalization to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). By Melissa & Cassie

Submit an Application The first step is to submit an application. An applicant requesting citizenship must be at least 18 yrs old, and have lived in the U.S. a lawfully admitted resident for 30 months. The have to have lived in the state where the petition is filed for at least 3 months. If married to a United States citizen, he or she needs only 3 years of residency before filling.

Preliminary Hearing The individual is asked questions about his or her moral character. They are also asked about the prospective citizens’ character and integrity. In addition, applicants may be asked to demonstrate their grasp of the English language and questioned about American government and history.

Hearing If an applicant makes it through this step he or she will asked to attend a final hearing. Here the judge administers the United States oath of allegiance. The oath requires individuals to renounce loyalty to their former governments, to obey and defend the Constitution and laws of the U.S., and to bear arms on behalf of the U.S. when required by law.

U. S. Citizen The judge then issues a certificate of naturalization that declares the individual a United States citizen. New citizens receive a letter from the president, a short history of the Pledge of Allegiance, and a booklet containing important documents in American History.