To become an American citizen, you will need to pay a $640 filing fee. In addition to the filing fee, you may need to pay the $85 biometric fee, bringing your total to $725. Applicants who are 75 years of age or older are not required to pay the biometric fee.

The time it takes to become a U.S. citizen varies on a case-by-case basis. However, in most cases, it can take anywhere between 6 months and 1 year. This is because there are multiple steps you need to complete, such as filing your Form N-400, attending your citizenship interview, passing your naturalization test, and so forth. If your citizenship request is denied, you will then have to start the process all over again.

In some instances, your citizenship can be revoked through a process called denaturalization. Although rare, you can have your U.S. citizenship stripped away, and you will be deported. Some instances where your citizenship can be revoked include:

• Obtaining naturalization illegally
• Concealing material facts or having willful misrepresentation
• Having membership or affiliation with certain organizations, such as a terrorist organization or the Communist party

There are three documents all citizenship applicants must send with their N-400 application:

• Photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card
• Check, money order, or credit card for the application and biometric services fee
• Two identical color photographs with your name and Alien Registration Number written lightly on the back of each photo if you reside outside of the U.S.

In addition to these documents, you may need to submit other pieces of paperwork, such as in these situations:

• If an attorney or accredited representative acts on your behalf, you must send a completed original Form G28
• If you are applying for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. Citizen, you must send four documents:
  • Evidence your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the last 3 years (e.x. birth certificate or certificate of naturalization)
  • Current marriage certificate
  • Proof of termination to all prior marriages of your spouse (e.x. divorce decrees or death certificates)
  • Documents that refer to you and your spouse (e.x. tax returns, bank accounts, leases).

At Consumer Law Group, our Miami immigration attorneys for citizenship can help you figure out what documents you need to apply for American citizenship.

To become a U.S. citizen, you must take and pass the citizenship test. The English portion of the test goes as follows:

• Ability to speak will be determined by the USCIS offer during your eligibility interview
• Ability to read will be determined by correctly reading the sentences out loud
• Ability to write will be determined by correctly writing out one of three sentences

In addition to the English portion of the test, you must complete the civics portion, where there will be 10 out of 100 possible questions. You must answer 6 of the 10 questions correctly. While you can never predict what civics questions will be asked, some common questions include:

• What is the supreme law of the land? (Answer: The Constitution)
• What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? (Answer: The Bill of Rights)
• Name one branch of government. (Answers: Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
• We elect a president for how many years? (Answer: 4 years)
• What is the highest court in the United States? (Answer: The Supreme Court)
• How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? (Answer: 18 or older)
• What group of people were taken to America and sold as slaves? (Answer: Africans)
• Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? (Answer: Thomas Jefferson)
• What movement tried to end racial discrimination? (Answer: Civil Rights Movement)