USCIS Filing Center

• When filing your application for permanent residency, you must go through the appropriate U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) filing center based on your location of residency. If you are on the west coast, file your application through the center in Phoenix, Arizona. If you are on the east coast or reside in the Midwest, file your application through the Lewisville, Texas, service center. For a complete list of center jurisdictions, refer to the "USCIS Filing Centers" link in the resources listed below. Remember, you can only file for permanent citizenship if you qualify, that is have have lived in the United States for 5 or more years, you are the child of a U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States for 3 years or less, or you have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. However, If you do not qualify under any of these four conditions, it is still possible that you qualify under another loophole condition. Please refer to the USCIS naturalization guide found on the USCIS website if you have doubts of your qualification. It would be wise to put off your application until you are certain of your eligibility.
  
  

Application and Fees

• The application form (N-400) can be downloaded from the USCIS website (refer to "N-400 Application Form" for the link to the form). Never lie or "fudge" information on any government application form. If you do not print clearly, your application will be delayed or returned. You must also pay the $595 application fee along with the $80 biometrics fee when you return your application. The fee must be paid with a check or money order made payable to the Department of Homeland Security or to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you are over the age of 75, the biometrics fee does not apply.
  
  

Naturalization Examination

• Following the submission of your application, you will be scheduled to attend an interview where you must pass an English and civics examination. If you are exempt from the English testing requirements (if you come from an English-speaking nation or are accredited through English certifications such as TOEFL), you do not have to take the written, verbal and reading exam. All applicants must also pass a civics exam regarding U.S. history and knowledge of how the U.S. government functions. You can find study guides and material on the website of the USCIS.