American Citizenship Process and Benefits

An individual may become a citizen of United States either by birth or through naturalization. Generally speaking, if a person is born in the United States or born to US citizen parents, he or she automatically becomes a citizen of United States.
The benefits and rights associated with American citizenship are many. One of the most important benefits is that you are given the right to vote. You may also apply for federal jobs that offer high range salaries, good benefits, and job security. You may sponsor and bring your family members to the United States and you may obtain citizenship for your children born abroad. You may also travel abroad with a US passport.
If you were born outside United States to US citizen parents then you may claim American citizenship through your parents. Your birth certificate that is registered in the US Consulate is the proof of your citizenship. If you require further proof you may obtain a US passport. In addition, your parents may file a petition to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship for you using Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship.

American Citizenship Through Naturalization

If you are born abroad to non-US citizen parents or if you want to obtain US citizenship you must follow the naturalization procedure. The term naturalization means the process of a foreign born individual obtaining or acquiring citizenship after he or she meets specific eligibility requirements.
To file for American citizenship through naturalization you must file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization with the USCIS. You must provide the required supporting documents and relevant fees along with your N-400 application. Failure to provide the required documents or the correct fees might lead to the return of your application.
To become a naturalized US Citizen you must satisfy certain eligibility requirements. One of the major requirements is that you must be a Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder) and you must maintain continuous residence. Continuous residence means that you have not left the country for a long period of time. If you leave United States for a long period, then you may disrupt the continuous residency status.
Generally you must be a Lawful Permanent Resident for 5 years in the United States. If you are married to a US Citizen, then you must be Permanent Resident for 3 years. Your time as a permanent resident begins on the day when you are granted Permanent Residency Status. You also must be 18 years of age or older. Immigration law requires that the applicant be a resident in the United States, in a state or USCIS district where the petition is filed, for 3 months immediately preceding the filing of the naturalization application.
The final part in obtaining the American citizenship, after all other requirements are fulfilled, is taking the Oath of Allegiance. This oath includes several promises you must make to become a citizen of the United States.
You must swear allegiance to United States; and
You must give up all prior allegiance to any other country; and
You must support the constitution and the immigration laws; and
You must serve the nation when required.
Once you take the Oath of Allegiance, you will finally be declared a citizen of United States.