Citizenship and naturalization
Lawful permanent residents who meet the requirements may become U.S. citizens through naturalization. Citizenship brings the right to vote, to serve on a jury, to sponsor more family members, and to hold elected office.
If you have had your green card for three to five years, you may be ready to become a U.S. citizen. Our citizenship lawyers in Franklin help permanent residents in Nashville, Middle Tennessee, and across the country confirm eligibility, file the N-400, and prepare for the interview and civics test, and help children born abroad prove U.S. citizenship through a parent.
Naturalization (N-400)
We confirm eligibility, review your travel and tax history for anything that could cause a problem, prepare the application, and run a practice interview with the civics test version that applies to your filing date.
Citizenship through a parent
Children born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent may already be citizens, or may acquire citizenship through the N-600 process. The rules changed several times over the decades, so the child's birth year matters.
Name changes and certificates
Request a legal name change at your oath ceremony, or replace a lost or damaged naturalization certificate with the N-565.
How a case works with us
- Eligibility checkTime as a permanent resident, time physically in the U.S., trips abroad, taxes, and any arrests or citations, reviewed before anything is filed.
- ApplicationWe prepare and file the N-400 with the supporting documents.
- Biometrics and interviewFingerprints, then an interview with a USCIS officer that includes the English and civics tests. We run a practice interview with you first.
- OathOnce approved, you take the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony and become a U.S. citizen.
Common questions
When can I apply for citizenship?
Most permanent residents can apply after five years with a green card. If you have been married to and living with a U.S. citizen for three years, and your spouse has been a citizen that whole time, you can apply after three. You can file up to 90 days before you reach the required date.
Can I travel while my N-400 is pending?
Yes, but long trips matter. A trip of six months or more can raise questions about continuous residence, and a trip of a year or more usually breaks it. Tell us about any trips before you file.
What is on the citizenship test?
The interview includes an English test (reading, writing, and speaking) and a civics test on U.S. history and government. Some older applicants who have been permanent residents for many years qualify for exemptions or can take the civics test in their own language.
My parent is a U.S. citizen. Am I already a citizen?
Possibly. Children born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, and children who became green card holders under 18 while living with a U.S. citizen parent, may already be citizens. The rules depend on when you were born, so we review the law that applied to you and can file the N-600 for a Certificate of Citizenship.
General information, not legal advice for your case. Every situation is different; a consultation confirms what applies to you.
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Your attorneyMichael SmallboneLicensed in Tennessee. Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law, Nashville School of LawReady to talk to an attorney?
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