I have to apply for naturalization, need help.

[reyesf]

I have been living in the United States since I was 13 years old, there's no other country I can associate myself with besides this one, I'm 27 now and currently live in South Florida, I put off the application for many years; and I really want to get this done as soon as possible, my concerns are the following:

Trips outside of the country
​

• Took a 27 day trip to South Korea & Thailand from December 30 2010 to January 25 2011.
• Traveled out the country again December 08 2011 up until April 28 2012; during this time I backpacked Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore & Thailand, I was out a total of 142 days.

Taxes​

• Filed taxes every year except in 2009, It shows as a 0 on my IRS tax transcript, I don't actually remember if I made money that year, I was mostly studying.

Criminal History​

• I was arrested in 2003 for attempted burglary which was thrown out (dismissed).
• Again in 2006 for disorderly conduct (went to some sort of program).
• Again in 2011 for reckless driving (adjudication withheld)

What are my chances of becoming a US Citizen? My mother is a US citizen if it helps, as well as my grandmother, I really do not have ties to anyone outside of this country.

 

[cafeconleche]

If you were under 18, a permanent resident, and living with your mother when she became a citizen, you are already a citizen.

 

[Jackolantern]

What are my chances of becoming a US Citizen? My mother is a US citizen if it helps, ...

That could help a lot. Did she become a citizen before you turned 18? Did you have a green card before 18? When you were under 18 with a green card, were you living with her while she was a citizen? Was she still married when you were 18?

I was arrested in 2003 for attempted burglary which was thrown out (dismissed).

Was it completely dismissed without you having to pay a fine, go on probation, or any other penalty?

Again in 2006 for disorderly conduct (went to some sort of program).
Again in 2011 for reckless driving (adjudication withheld)

Those two could be problems for you, depending on the specific details of the cases. If you don't qualify to derive citizenship through your mother, you should get the court paperwork for all 3 cases and have them reviewed by an immigration lawyer before you apply for naturalization. I don't expect those charges will prevent you from naturalizing, but I don't know all the details of your cases.

 

[reyesf]

That could help a lot. Did she become a citizen before you turned 18? Did you have a green card before 18? When you were under 18 with a green card, were you living with her while she was a citizen? Was she still married when you were 18?



Was it completely dismissed without you having to pay a fine, go on probation, or any other penalty?



Those two could be problems for you, depending on the specific details of the cases. If you don't qualify to derive citizenship through your mother, you should get the court paperwork for all 3 cases and have them reviewed by an immigration lawyer before you apply for naturalization. I don't expect those charges will prevent you from naturalizing, but I don't know all the details of your cases.

No I just turned 18 years old when she became a citizen, yes the burglary charge was completely dismissed, no fine or penalty. how much do you think a lawyer will charge on average to help me with the citizenship process?

 

[Jackolantern]

No I just turned 18 years old when she became a citizen, yes the burglary charge was completely dismissed, no fine or penalty. how much do you think a lawyer will charge on average to help me with the citizenship process?

If you just want a one-time consultation to review your situation and court paperwork and advise you on the effect on your naturalization, probably less than $400. But if you want them to handle the whole naturalization process end-to-end, that's probably more than $2000.

 

[reyesf]

What's the best way to gather all your dispositions for your case for the citizenship application, also for the citizenship application itself can I fill out the application by typing it in and then printing it? or does it needs to be filled by hand.