N-400 Naturalization
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is the path to U.S. citizenship for lawful permanent residents who meet the eligibility requirements. Naturalization grants you the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including the right to vote, obtain a U.S. passport, and petition for family members. Our firm guides you through every step of the naturalization process.
Who Qualifies
You may be eligible if you have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), have continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S., demonstrate good moral character, and can pass English language and civics tests. You may file Form N-400 up to 90 days before meeting the continuous residence requirement.
Key Features
The process includes filing Form N-400, attending a biometrics appointment, completing an interview with a USCIS officer, passing English and civics tests, and taking the Oath of Allegiance. Applicants filing on or after October 20, 2025 will take the new civics test (20 questions, must answer 12 correctly). Reduced fees are available for applicants with household income below 400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Duration
Filing fee: $710 online / $760 paper (reduced fee: $380; fee waiver available for low-income applicants). Average processing time is approximately 5-8 months, though times vary by USCIS field office. Military service members may qualify for expedited processing and fee exemptions under INA sections 328 and 329.
Derivative & Acquired Citizenship
Some individuals are U.S. citizens without realizing it. Under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, foreign-born children may automatically acquire citizenship through their U.S. citizen parents. Understanding whether you derived or acquired citizenship is crucial, as it affects your immigration status, ability to sponsor relatives, and eligibility for a U.S. passport.
Who Qualifies
Under INA 320, a child automatically acquires citizenship if: (1) at least one parent is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization, (2) the child is under 18 years of age, (3) the child is a lawful permanent resident, and (4) the child resides in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent. Under INA 322, children residing outside the U.S. with a U.S. citizen parent may apply for naturalization if certain conditions are met.
Key Features
Citizenship acquired under INA 320 is automatic—no application is required, though you may apply for a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) or U.S. passport as proof. For children abroad, the U.S. citizen parent files Form N-600K. The Child Citizenship Act applies to children who were under 18 on February 27, 2001. Different rules applied before this date under former INA 321.
Duration
If you already meet the requirements under INA 320, your citizenship was automatic. To document it, you may file Form N-600 (processing time: 3-22 months). For children abroad under INA 322, the child must appear in the U.S. for the oath ceremony. We can evaluate whether you may have acquired citizenship and help you obtain documentation.
N-600 Certificate of Citizenship
Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, provides official documentation that you are a U.S. citizen. This certificate is issued to individuals who acquired citizenship at birth abroad to U.S. citizen parents or who derived citizenship through a parent's naturalization while they were minors. A Certificate of Citizenship serves as primary evidence of your U.S. citizenship.
Who Qualifies
You may file Form N-600 if you acquired U.S. citizenship at birth through a U.S. citizen parent (born abroad), derived citizenship through naturalization of your parent(s) while you were under 18, or automatically acquired citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (INA 320). You must be physically present in the United States when you file.
Key Features
The application requires evidence of your parent's U.S. citizenship, your relationship to the parent, and documentation showing you met the requirements for citizenship acquisition or derivation. Unlike naturalization, there is no interview or test—USCIS reviews documentary evidence. The certificate is wallet-sized and serves as official proof of citizenship alongside a U.S. passport.
Duration
Filing fee: $1,335 online / $1,385 paper (no fee for military personnel or certain adopted children). Processing times currently range from 3 to 22 months depending on the USCIS office. We help gather the required documentation and present your case to establish your citizenship claim.
N-336 Hearing Requests
If USCIS denies your Form N-400 naturalization application, you have the right to request a hearing before a different USCIS officer. Form N-336 allows you to challenge the denial and present additional evidence or arguments. This administrative review is an important step before pursuing federal court review.
Who Qualifies
You may file Form N-336 if your Form N-400 was denied and you believe the decision was incorrect. Common grounds for appeal include: USCIS misapplied the law, the officer made factual errors, new evidence is available that was not considered, or you can now satisfy a requirement you previously could not meet (such as passing the English or civics test).
Key Features
The hearing is conducted by a USCIS officer who is different from—and at an equal or higher grade than—the officer who denied your application. The reviewing officer may re-examine your entire application, administer the English and civics tests again, and consider new evidence. You have the right to be represented by an attorney at the hearing.
Duration
Filing deadline: 30 days from the date of the denial decision (33 days if mailed). Filing fee: $780 online / $830 paper (no fee for military applicants). USCIS must schedule the hearing within 180 days of receiving your request. If the N-336 hearing results in another denial, you may seek de novo review in federal district court within 120 days.
Contact Our Legal Team
Office Address
1629 K St. N.W.Suite #300
Washington, DC 20006
Phone
+1 (202) 815-2372
+1 (469) 897-1735
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Friday – Saturday – Sunday: Closed