The naturalization process begins when you consult with our Long Beach Immigration Attorneys and our Orange County California Immigration Lawyers regarding your qualifications.  Generally, depending on whether you were married to a U.S. citizen spouse or whether you obtained your permanent residence through employment or a family-based petition, you may apply for naturalization within 3 to 5 years of the granting of your green card status.  Our attorneys will request the necessary documents and information needed from you and prepare a detailed cover letter, which will state the law, the facts of your case, and how you are qualified to be naturalized.  The attorney will also categorize the evidence into exhibits, which will be used to demonstrate that you have met all the qualifications.  Once this process is completed, our immigration attorneys will file the petition with the Immigration Office where you reside.

Approximately 4-6 weeks after receiving the application, the USCIS will provide the applicant a receipt notice, which has the case number (receipt number) applicable to the application.  About 8 weeks after receiving the notice, the USCIS will schedule a time and date for the applicant to get finger-printed and photographed (“biometrics”).  Currently, the Service provides interviews for naturalization applicants even if their back-ground checks are still pending with the FBI.  Sometimes, the government delays adjudication of the case based on a stalled background check.  The Smith & Garg immigration attorneys are experienced in helping clients deal with this issue.

Should you have any questions regarding your naturalization qualifications or a pending application, please contact the experienced immigration attorneys of Smith & Garg at 562-590-7300 or call our toll-free number at 877-517-4275.  You can also submit an inquiry through our Long Beach Immigration Online Inquiry.