Applying for US citizenship!

V

vero83

New Member
i have a few questions.

my father is 52 years old and has been a legal resident of the usa for 25 years. next year his green card expires. what he was thinking of doing was to appy for citizenship instead of renewing. i heard that people that are 50 or over are exempt from taking the test. is this true? the reason im asking is because he doesnt speak, write, or read english. we live in michigan. what is the process of applying for citizenship? like what documents would he need? he doesnt have a job. how much is it?
i know of course that we will get a lawyer for this. but i was just needing some general info now cause he's not sure if he is going to apply for citizenship.
also. i became a legal resident in june 20 0f 06 does this mean i cant start the application process for citizenship until june 20 2011??
 
Citizenwannabe said:
hey homo - cut it out man - just help out if you can (which you did) and do not ridicule people looking for help
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I have to agree with 'homo'. Why should people here waste their time answering questions that are fully covered in the Guide to Naturalization? A key role of these forums is for people to give advise on cases with "special circumstances", especially if they too have experienced similar circumstances. If people just start posting trivial questions that they cannot be bothered to research for thirty seconds then it will undermine this.
 
vero83 said:
i have a few questions.

my father is 52 years old and has been a legal resident of the usa for 25 years. next year his green card expires. what he was thinking of doing was to appy for citizenship instead of renewing. i heard that people that are 50 or over are exempt from taking the test. is this true? the reason im asking is because he doesnt speak, write, or read english. we live in michigan. what is the process of applying for citizenship? like what documents would he need? he doesnt have a job. how much is it?
i know of course that we will get a lawyer for this. but i was just needing some general info now cause he's not sure if he is going to apply for citizenship.
also. i became a legal resident in june 20 0f 06 does this mean i cant start the application process for citizenship until june 20 2011??
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Second question first - the earliest you can apply is June 20, 2011 - 90 days. (and that is 90 days, not 3 months - there is a difference)

And for the rest of the Story...

English Language Exemptions

You Are Exempt From The English Language Requirement, But Are Still Required To Take The Civics Test If You Are:

* Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).
OR
* Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception).

Note: Even if you qualify for the “50/20” or “55/15” English language exceptions listed above, you must still take the civics test. You may be permitted to take the civics test in your native language, but only if your command of spoken English is insufficient to conduct a valid examination in English. If you are age 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing for naturalization, you will be given special consideration regarding the civics requirement.
 
GungaDin said:
Second question first - the earliest you can apply is June 20, 2011 - 90 days. (and that is 90 days, not 3 months - there is a difference)
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Provided the OP has met continuous residency requirement at that time and otherwise would not be eligible for citizenship from his dad (if he became a US citizen).
 
vero83 said:
i have a few questions.

my father is 52 years old and has been a legal resident of the usa for 25 years. next year his green card expires. what he was thinking of doing was to appy for citizenship instead of renewing. i heard that people that are 50 or over are exempt from taking the test. is this true? the reason im asking is because he doesnt speak, write, or read english. we live in michigan. what is the process of applying for citizenship? like what documents would he need? he doesnt have a job. how much is it?
i know of course that we will get a lawyer for this. but i was just needing some general info now cause he's not sure if he is going to apply for citizenship.
also. i became a legal resident in june 20 0f 06 does this mean i cant start the application process for citizenship until june 20 2011??
Click to expand...

That's correct! He need not take an English test but will have to take civics test. Process is very straight forward. Collect all the information and fill and send the N-400 form along with the fee and documentation relevant to his case. Most people do not use a lawyer to file for citizenship since it is a fairly easy process. The current filing fee is $675.

You should be able to start your citizenship process sometime in late March 2011 provide you meet all the criteria (not just the criteria of having permanent residency for 5 years minus 90 days). Check N-400 instructions and "A guide to Naturalization" as others have posted above.
 
vero83 said:
i became a legal resident in june 20 0f 06 does this mean i cant start the application process for citizenship until june 20 2011??
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Are you under 18? You can't apply on your own if you are under 18. But if you are under 18 when one of your parents becomes a citizen, it is possible (based on certain conditions) to immediately derive citizenship through the parent who has become a citizen.
 
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