We suggest that U.S. citizens do not give up their U.S.citizenship, even if they feel like they will not return to the United States to live and work. You may not want to retain your U.S. citizenship now, but you may regret it in the future.

You may want to retain your U.S. citizenship if :
-- you are a "snowbird" when you retire and want to live in the U.S. for more than six months at a time; and

-- your children want to obtain U.S. citizenship for their minor children (must be done prior to their 18th birthday); they may qualify under your U.S. citizenship if you lived in the U.S. for more than 5 years and at least 2 years after age 14.

However, if you find that you still want to relinquish your U.S. citizenship, go to:

http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_776.html

http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_778.html

http://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8854/ch01.html

Your time as a Lawful Permanent Resident begins on the date you were granted permanent resident status. This can be found on your Permanent Resident Card, which is also known as a Green Card or an Alien Registration Card.

Yes. You should always be honest with immigration officers regarding:

• Arrests (including those by police, U.S. Immigration officers, and other federal agents);
• Convictions (even if they have been expunged); and
• Crimes you have committed for which you were not arrested or convicted.

NOTE: Even if you have committed a minor crime, USCIS may deny your application if you do not tell the U.S. Immigration officer about the incident. It is extremely important that you tell USCIS about any arrest even if someone else has advised you that you are not required to do so.

Beginning on Oct. 14, 2008, applicants must submit Form N-400 and related supplements to one of two new USCIS Lockbox facilities for initial processing, using the addresses found here.

Your local office can be found here.

There is a $595 filing fee plus a biometrics fee of $80, for a total fee of $675.

If you have a pending application, go to www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center toll-free number at 1-800-375-5283. Please note that every alien must report a change of address within 10 days of moving to a new address. Special Registration address change requirements also apply to some non U.S.-citizens. Form AR-11, Change of Address Form, can be found here or here.

Form N-565 is used to apply for a replacement certificate of citizenship or naturalization. It is filed in person or by mail with the local USCIS office having jurisdiction over your place of residence (except if you live in Maryland; file with the Vermont Service Center). Your local USCIS office can be found here. It must be filed with the filing fee and appropriate identification to establish your identity. Current photographs meeting USCIS photo specifications must also be submitted. (See instructions on the form.) Form N-565 can be found here

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You can file the N-400 up to 90 days before you meet your residence requirement applicable to naturalization applicants.

You will most likely take the redesigned test if you file Form N-400 after Oct. 1, 2008. However, if you filed prior to then, see a chart located here.

Projected Naturalization processing times according to local U.S. offices can be found here.

A complete definition of dual citizenship can be found here.

 

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