If you’re like a lot of immigrants in California, you’re just trying to live day-to-day and continue building your life with your family as normal. For some, though, that means trying to become a naturalized citizen. It’s possible, but it’s also time-consuming. Our team of citizenship lawyers at Maison Law Immigration Lawyers can guide you through it. Set up a free, one-on-one consultation today.
How Long Does the Naturalization Process Take in California?
One of the biggest general hurdles to any immigration action is the timetable. But at least when it comes to the naturalization process, there’s a way to generally gauge how long it will take currently. You can use the USCIS’ online processing tool. Now, processing times vary by which field office you’re going to in California. But as of right now, they include:
- 14 months in Fresno
- 5 months in Los Angeles
- 5 months in LA County
- 15 months in Sacramento
- 5 months in San Bernardino
- 15 months in San Diego
- 12 months in the San Fernando Valley
- 5 months in San Francisco
- 5 months in San Jose
- 5 months in Santa Ana
So no matter which field office you have to go to, you’re looking at anywhere from 9 to 15 months if you’re trying to go through the process of becoming a naturalized citizen. But even that can vary depending on your case, which means it’s important to understand how the process works in the first place.
What’s the Process to Become a Naturalized Citizen in California?
Even with approximate wait times, everyone that wants to become a naturalized citizen in California goes through the same process. Everything starts with the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. With that, you’re giving USCIS information on your:
- Your immigration history
- Where you’ve lived
- Your work history
- Travel outside the U.S.
- Your family and personal background
Once you submit it, there are a few more steps you’ll usually need to get through:
- You may have to go to a biometrics appointment where USCIS takes your fingerprints and photo and runs the necessary background checks. Not everyone has to do this. If USCIS doesn’t require it in your case, you can simply move on to the next step.
- Your citizenship interview. This is a big part of the naturalization process. You’ll meet with a USCIS officer who will go through your N-400 with you and ask questions about your application and background. You’ll also generally take the English and civics tests unless you qualify for an exception or exemption.
- Requests for evidence (RFE). Sometimes USCIS needs a little more information before it can make a decision. That could mean asking you for additional documents, asking you to complete another step, or sending you a notice with questions about your application. If you get an RFE, pay close attention to the deadline and make sure you respond on time.
After your interview, you’ll have to wait for USCIS to make a decision. Unfortunately, there’s no one answer for how long everything takes. Some applications move along pretty quickly, while others take longer. But if it gets approved, you’re almost there. There’s just one final step:
- Taking the Oath of Allegiance. You’ll attend your naturalization ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance. Once you take the oath, you officially become a U.S. citizen.
Again, everyone’s application process is different. But no matter what, our team will be with you from start to finish so you’re not trying to handle everything on your own.
Maison Law Immigration Lawyers Can Help You Become a Naturalized Citizen in California
Becoming a U.S. citizen can be a huge step for you and your family. But getting there can take time, and the process can feel like a lot when you don’t know what to expect. That’s one reason people put off applying in the first place.
The good news is that the process is easier to understand when you break it down. At Maison Law Immigration Lawyers, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
