Kentucky Citizenship Lawyer
Our Naturalization Lawyer Helps You Get Citizenship
If you need a citizenship lawyer in Kentucky, you should call Carman Fullerton to discuss your situation with our attorneys.
We’ve helped many people realize their goal of becoming a citizen of the United States.
The United States is a country of immigrants where people from around the world come to work, live, have families, and become part of what makes this country desirable. Our nation was founded on people seeking a fresh start, and it continues to depend heavily on immigrants to function. If you want to start the process of applying for a U.S. citizenship, we encourage you to contact Carman Fullerton to talk to our team.
Why Choose Our Citizenship Lawyer
There are many attorneys in Kentucky, and it’s important for you to find one that you feel comfortable with and who has the necessary experience to help you get citizenship as quickly as possible. Here are some reasons why we think Carman Fullerton is your best choice:
- We are experienced and bilingual. Attorney Kirby J. Fullerton and Attorney Dan Carman both speak Spanish and have accommodated those who speak other languages as well. Our team of attorneys have many years of experience representing clients involved in immigration cases of all types. We have worked with clients who have entered the United States both legally and illegally. We have helped non-citizens from all walks of life, with or without status, to get citizenship in the U.S.
- We understand what you are going through and that you may feel vulnerable and confused, so we do everything possible to make you feel safe, listened to and understood.
- We are recognized in our field. Dan Carman is a member of various local and national Bar Associations. He has previously been named in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers
- We know immigration and criminal law. Attorney Kirby Fullerton’s practice is focused on immigration law, and he represents clients in cases before the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals. He has practiced criminal defense and understands how matters in criminal courts can affect a client’s immigration status.
- We are available 24/7 for client emergencies.
The U.S. legal system is complicated, and immigrants, especially those who may not speak English fluently and who may be unfamiliar with the U.S. legal system, should not try to represent themselves. The compassionate immigration attorneys at Carman Fullerton know what you are going through and the importance of being granted citizenship. We have many years of experience as Lexington immigration lawyer and know the ins and outs of the legal system. You can benefit from our knowledge, fluency in English and legal education.
How Our Naturalization Lawyer in Kentucky Works for You
Every person who works at Carman Fullerton — lawyers and support staff — shares our commitment to our clients. When you have our team on your side, we will:
- Meet with you to discuss your individual situation and determine the best way to move forward toward citizenship.
- Take the burden off you by making sure everything is done properly and forms are filed correctly and in a timely manner.
- Coach you to make sure you know how to answer questions and handle any interviews so you say the right thing to benefit your case.
- Help prepare you for citizenship exams.
- Advocate for you if your claim is denied.
Our Kentucky naturalization lawyers will be there throughout the entire process, answering your questions and addressing your concerns. Call us today at (859) 971-0060.
Naturalization Attorney Explains What is Naturalization
Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen. To be naturalized, one must meet certain requirements and follow several steps, which we’ll discuss below. Naturalization takes time and effort, but it can be incredibly rewarding for applicants.
Eligibility Requirements for U.S. Citizenship
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers its list of eligibility requirements for those applying for citizenship. It is best for potential applicants to make sure they meet these requirements before applying. The requirements include…
- Being 18 years of age at the time of filling out the application
- Holding a Green Card for at least 5 years and being able to demonstrate continuous residence in the U.S. for 5 years before filing for citizenship
- Showing that you have been “physically present” in the U.S. for at least 30 months out of the 5-year period
- Showing residence for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you apply
- Being a person of good moral character
- Demonstrating an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution
- Demonstrating the ability to read, write, and speak basic English
- Possessing an understanding of U.S. history and government
- Taking an oath of allegiance to the U.S.
Citizenship Attorney Explains the Naturalization Process
Before filing for citizenship, you should first make sure that you are eligible by reviewing the requirements listed above. The naturalization process begins with the filing of the N-400 Form, which is the application for naturalization in the U.S.
Once you complete the N-400 Form, you might need to visit an Application Support Center for a biometrics appointment. During that appointment, you will provide fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature. These will be used to run a security and background check. After this appointment, you will then be given an appointment notice, which you will use to schedule an interview that will complete the naturalization process.
After you’ve completed these steps, the USCIS will send you a written notice of their decision. Your application will either be granted, denied or continued. If it is continued, you will need to provide additional information or retake the English or history and government exam.
Once you are approved, you will be sent an Oath of Allegiance notice, and you will find a time to participate in this last part of the naturalization process. Taking the Oath of Allegiance is not only a requirement for citizenship, but it gives you the opportunity to enjoy the rewards of the hard work you’ve put into becoming a citizen.
Citizenship Lawyer Helps Prepare for the Naturalization Tests
The two portions of the U.S. naturalization test are the English test and the history/governmental general knowledge test, which is referred to as the civics test. Here is what you can expect for both aspects of these tests:
The English Test
In order to pass the English test, you will need to demonstrate a basic understanding of writing, reading and speaking English. Fortunately, the USCIS provides some resources to help you prepare for the exam. The speaking portion of your test will be conducted during the interview portion of the application process. To pass the writing portion, you are required to write one out of three sentences correctly. To pass the reading test, you are required to read one out of three sentences correctly.
The Civics Test
The civics portion of the test includes 10 questions about the history and governmental processes of the U.S. The USCIS provides a list of 100 questions from which the 10 you are asked will be included. The list is also available in Spanish and Chinese. There are also audio versions of the questions, in addition to flash cards and pocket study guides.
To pass the civics test, you will need to answer 6 of the 10 questions correctly. Here are some sample questions that are posed to applicants…
- What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
- What did the Declaration of Independence do?
- What is the economic system in the United States?
- Name one branch or part of the government.
- Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?
- Name your U.S. Representative.
- How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
- What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
- Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
- Name one state that borders Canada.
The 10 questions listed above are taken directly from the list provided by the USCIS. General topics covered in the test include principles of American democracy, system of government, rights and responsibilities of citizens, the history of the U.S. during the colonial period, recent U.S. history, geography, symbols and U.S. holidays.
Citizenship Lawyers Know Requirements Vary for Applicants
The application process isn’t the same for every applicant. For example, if you are 65 years old (or older) and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you can study fewer civics questions. You will be exempt from the English portion of your test if you are age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years. You would also be exempt from the English portion of the exam if you are age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years.
In some cases, an applicant with a mental or physical disability might be exempt from the English or civics test. These are just a few examples of common exemptions, but it’s important to note that the process can vary. To learn more about how the process will look for you or your loved ones, we encourage you to contact Carman Fullerton to learn more.
How Long Does the Naturalization Process Take?
You might be wondering how long you’ll need to wait to become a U.S. citizen. The USCIS states on their website that the average wait time for review of the N-400 Form is about 10 months from the time of application. This period can vary, and it does not include the other steps you will need to complete before becoming naturalized.
If you make any mistakes on your application, the process can take much longer, so it’s important to get everything prepared as best you can to ensure a speedy approval. The backlog for citizenship applications has grown dramatically in recent years, so the better prepared you can be in the naturalization process, the less time you’ll be forced to wait to see progress.
Becoming a U.S. citizen isn’t necessarily easy, but it can be made easier by working with a citizenship lawyer who knows how the system works. We can tell you from experience that becoming a citizen is an incredibly rewarding process that is completely within reach if you meet the requirements and do the work asked by the USCIS.
Call a Citizenship Attorney at Carman Fullerton for Help
Carman Fullerton is proud to offer many services to immigrants in the U.S. We not only assist clients in the citizenship application process, we also work with them when they are injured, charged with crimes or in need of a family attorney. If you are an immigrant who needs legal representation in Kentucky, you should contact Carman Fullerton.
Our team of dedicated attorneys has years of experience working with clients throughout the entire naturalization process. Having an attorney reduces the chances of making a mistake while applying for citizenship. We can not only better your chances of becoming a citizen, we can make the process faster and less stressful by helping you to avoid common mistakes applicants make during the naturalization process.
