Citizenship is a unique bond that unites people around civic ideals and a belief in the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is one of the most important decisions an immigrant can make — and Ozek Law Firm is here to guide you every step of the way.
There are two primary ways to obtain U.S. citizenship. Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) — typically after holding a Green Card for three to five years. Acquisition of citizenship occurs through U.S. citizen parents, either at birth abroad or after birth but before the age of 18.
Our legal services begin with a thorough consultation to evaluate your eligibility — reviewing your immigration history, lawful permanent resident status, time in the United States, tax compliance, and any criminal or legal issues that could affect the outcome. We then guide you through the entire process, from application preparation through biometrics, interview, and the oath ceremony.
For individuals who may have acquired U.S. citizenship automatically through a U.S. citizen parent — and who need official documentation of that citizenship — we assist with the Form N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship, establishing citizenship that has already been acquired by operation of law.
U.S. citizenship may be obtained in two distinct ways — through the naturalization process for lawful permanent residents, or through automatic acquisition by individuals born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent. Each pathway has different requirements, processes, and documentation needs.
Naturalization is the formal process by which a Green Card holder applies to become a U.S. citizen. The most common pathway requires five years as a lawful permanent resident. A reduced three-year pathway is available for those married to and living with a U.S. citizen. Additional expedited pathways exist for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and certain other qualifying categories.
Some individuals are U.S. citizens by operation of law — either because they were born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent and met the applicable transmission requirements, or because they automatically derived citizenship before age 18 when a parent naturalized and they were residing in the U.S. as lawful permanent residents. These individuals do not need to naturalize — they are already citizens. The N-600 is the process to obtain an official Certificate of Citizenship documenting that status.
The naturalization requirements are specific and carry exceptions that are often overlooked without experienced legal counsel. Trips abroad, extended absences, prior criminal issues, and other factors can all affect eligibility in ways that are not always apparent from the statute alone.
We conduct a thorough pre-filing eligibility review for every naturalization client — identifying any issues before the application is submitted and advising on how to address them strategically.
An applicant must have continuously resided in the U.S. as an LPR for 5 years (or 3 years for the spousal pathway). A single trip abroad of more than 6 months — or multiple shorter absences — can disrupt continuous residence and potentially reset the clock. We advise on how prior travel affects eligibility and whether any exception or waiver applies.
The applicant must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months of the 5-year period (or 18 months of the 3-year period). Physical presence is calculated day by day based on actual time in the country — not tied to the continuous residence clock — and travel records must be carefully documented.
The applicant must demonstrate good moral character for the statutory period. Certain criminal convictions — including aggravated felonies, crimes involving moral turpitude, drug offenses, and other categories — can permanently or temporarily bar naturalization. We assess every applicant's criminal and civil history before filing and advise on whether any bars apply.
Most applicants must pass an English reading, writing, and speaking test, as well as a civics test covering U.S. history and government (100 questions; the officer selects 10 and the applicant must answer 6 correctly). We provide one-on-one coaching, mock interview practice, and study materials — and advise on applicable exemptions for age and disability.
An applicant who willfully failed to file required U.S. tax returns, or claimed non-resident alien status on tax returns, may face a finding of lack of good moral character or abandonment of LPR status. We advise on any tax compliance issues before filing and coordinate with tax professionals where needed to resolve prior inconsistencies.
The naturalization process follows a clear sequence of steps after the N-400 is filed with USCIS. Each step has its own practical requirements and timing considerations. Our comprehensive legal support ensures you navigate every stage with confidence and clarity — from the initial consultation through the moment you take the Oath of Allegiance.
“Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the most meaningful moments in an immigrant's journey. We take that responsibility seriously — providing not just the legal expertise, but the personal attention and encouragement that such a milestone deserves.”
Tolga Ozek — Founding PrincipalWe review your complete immigration history, travel records, tax filings, employment history, and any criminal or legal matters — identifying every factor that could affect your naturalization eligibility before a single form is completed. This pre-filing review is the foundation of a successful naturalization case.
We prepare the complete N-400 application package — organizing all required documentation including proof of LPR status, travel records, tax transcripts, employment records, and any additional exhibits — and file it with USCIS accurately and on time. We address any special circumstances such as disability accommodations or exceptions to testing requirements.
After filing, USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center where fingerprints, photograph, and signature are taken for background checks. We advise on what to expect at this appointment and ensure every USCIS notice is responded to promptly.
We prepare you thoroughly for the naturalization interview — reviewing your N-400 responses, conducting mock interviews covering both the English and civics components, identifying any application-specific concerns the officer may raise, and providing one-on-one coaching on civics study materials. We accompany you to the interview where permitted.
After a successful interview, USCIS approves the application and schedules the Oath of Allegiance ceremony — the final step in becoming a U.S. citizen. We assist with the ceremony scheduling, any post-interview follow-up USCIS requires, and advise on next steps such as passport applications and updating records.
Naturalization law includes a number of exceptions and special provisions that can significantly affect the eligibility analysis and the process itself. We advise on every applicable provision — ensuring no qualifying exception is overlooked.
Lawful permanent residents who have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse for the past 3 years — and whose spouse has been a U.S. citizen for all 3 of those years — may apply for naturalization after only 3 years of LPR status instead of the standard 5. This reduced physical presence requirement is 18 months.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have served honorably for one year or more may naturalize without meeting the standard continuous residence and physical presence requirements. During periods of designated hostilities, certain service members may naturalize immediately — even without LPR status — under an expedited wartime provision.
Applicants who are 50 years of age or older and have been LPRs for 20 years (50/20 exemption), or 55 years of age or older and LPRs for 15 years (55/15 exemption), are exempt from the English requirement but must still pass the civics test. Applicants with qualifying developmental or physical disabilities may be exempt from both the English and civics requirements with a medical certification (Form N-648).
Under the Child Citizenship Act (CCA), a child who is a lawful permanent resident, under 18, and residing in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of a U.S. citizen parent automatically acquires U.S. citizenship when the parent naturalizes. Such children do not need to file a separate naturalization application — they may obtain a Certificate of Citizenship (N-600) or a U.S. passport to document their citizenship.
Individuals who believe they acquired U.S. citizenship through a parent — either at birth abroad or by operation of the Child Citizenship Act — may apply for an N-600 Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS to obtain official documentation of their citizenship. We advise on whether citizenship has been acquired and assist in building the complete documentation package required by USCIS.
If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, a Notice of Intent to Deny, or denies the N-400 application outright, we respond and appeal on your behalf — analyzing the specific findings, gathering additional evidence, and presenting the strongest possible case on reconsideration or before an immigration officer on appeal. We also advise on N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings.
At Ozek Law Firm, we understand that becoming a U.S. citizen is not simply a legal process — it is a deeply personal milestone. We bring the expertise, the attention to detail, and the genuine care that such a milestone deserves — from the initial eligibility review through the Oath of Allegiance ceremony.
We identify every potential eligibility issue — travel gaps, criminal history, tax compliance, prior status violations — before the N-400 is filed, so that nothing surfaces at the interview that was not already addressed in the application.
We prepare every client thoroughly for the naturalization interview — conducting mock interviews that simulate the actual USCIS experience, coaching on civics and English components, and ensuring every client walks in fully prepared and confident.
We advise on both naturalization (N-400) and acquisition/derivation of citizenship (N-600) — ensuring clients who may already be U.S. citizens by operation of law have the official documentation they need, and those pursuing naturalization have the strategic legal support to succeed.
Naturalization is not just a transaction — it is the culmination of an immigration journey. We provide the personal attention, clear communication, and genuine encouragement that this milestone deserves, keeping clients fully informed and supported at every stage.
Attorney-at-Law — U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization (N-400, N-600)
Tolga Ozek brings over 13 years of experience guiding lawful permanent residents through the naturalization process — from thorough pre-filing eligibility reviews and precise N-400 preparation through interview coaching, RFE responses, and the Oath of Allegiance ceremony. Licensed in D.C., MD, NY with federal immigration practice across the U.S., he is known for the compassionate, detail-oriented representation that helps every client arrive at their citizenship interview fully prepared and confident.
Whether you are ready to apply for naturalization, need help with an N-600 Certificate of Citizenship, or simply want to know if you are eligible — Ozek Law Firm is here to guide you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the final step toward becoming a U.S. citizen.
