Uscis Form M 476 – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Table of Contents

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Welcome

We are very pleased that you want to become a U.S. citizen. The United States is a nation of immigrants. Throughout our history, immigrants have come here seeking a better way of life and have strengthened our Nation in the process.

For more than 200 years, the United States has remained strong because of our citizens and the common civic values we share. Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is one of the most important decisions in a person’s life. If you decide to apply for naturalization, you will be showing your permanent commitment to the United States. You will also be showing your loyalty to its Constitution and its people.

When you are naturalized, you agree to accept all of the responsibilities of being a citizen. You agree to support the United States, its Constitution, and its laws. In return, you are rewarded with all the rights and privileges that are part of citizenship. We welcome your interest and hope you will read on to learn more about naturalization.

What Is Naturalization?

Naturalization is commonly referred to as the manner in which a person not born in the United States voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen.

What Is This Guide for?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) created this Guide to provide better and more consistent information to people interested in naturalization. It is written mainly for people 18 years or older who want to become citizens. Please take the time to review this information to make sure that you are eligible to apply

for naturalization. You can find more information at www.uscis.gov or by calling Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283 or

1-800-767-1833 (for hearing impaired).

Benefits

The Constitution and laws of the United States give many rights to both citizens and non-citizens living in the United States. However, some rights are only for citizens, such as:

•Voting. Only U.S. citizens can vote in Federal elections. Most States also restrict the right to vote, in most elections, to U.S. citizens.

•Bringing family members to the United States. Citizens generally get priority when petitioning to bring family members permanently to this country.

•Obtaining citizenship for children born abroad. In most cases, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen is automatically a U.S. citizen.

•Traveling with a U.S. passport.

A U.S. passport allows you to get assistance from the U.S. government when overseas.

•Becoming eligible for Federal jobs.

Most jobs with government agencies require U.S. citizenship.

•Becoming an elected official. Many elected offices in this country require U.S. citizenship.

•Showing your patriotism. In addition, becoming a U.S. citizen is a way to demonstrate your commitment to your new country.

The above list does not include all the benefits of citizenship, only some of the more important ones.

Responsibilities

To become a U.S. citizen you must take the Oath of Allegiance. The oath includes several promises you make when

you become a U.S. citizen, including2 promises to:

•Give up all prior allegiance to any other nation or sovereignty;

•Swear allegiance to the United States;

•Support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States; and

•Serve the country when required.

U.S. citizens have many responsibilities other than the ones mentioned in the Oath. Citizens have a responsibility to participate in the political

process by registering and voting in elections. Serving on a jury is another responsibility of citizenship. Finally, America becomes stronger when all of its citizens respect the different opinions, cultures, ethnic groups, and religions found in this country. Tolerance for differences is also a responsibility of citizenship.

When you decide to become a U.S. citizen, you should be willing to fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship. We hope you will honor and respect the freedoms and opportunities citizenship gives you. At the same time, we hope you become an active member of your community. It is by participating in your community that you truly become

an American.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How can I become a U.S. citizen?

AYou may become a U.S. citizen (1) by birth or (2) through naturalization.

Q2. Who is born a U.S. citizen?

A Generally, people are born U.S. citizens if they are born in the United States or if they are born to U.S. citizens:

(1) If you were born in the United States:

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3. How do I become a naturalized citizen?

If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth or did not acquire/derive U.S. citizenship automatically after birth, you may still be eligible to become a citizen through the naturalization process. Eligible persons use the “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400) to apply for naturalization.

Persons who acquired citizenship from parent(s) while under 18 years of age use the “Application for Certificate of Citizenship” (Form N-600) to document their citizenship. Qualified children who reside abroad use the “Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322” (Form N-600K) to

document their naturalization. You may call the USCIS Forms Line at 1-800-870- 3676 to request a Form N-400, N-600, or N-600K; or you may download all of these forms at www.uscis.gov.

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4. What are the requirements for naturalization?

Please see Section 4, “Who Is Eligible For Naturalization?,” beginning on page 17 for more details on the eligibility requirements for naturalization. You should also complete the Eligibility Worksheet in the back of this Guide to help you find out if you meet the eligibility requirements.

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5. When does my time as a Permanent Resident begin?

Your time as a Permanent Resident begins on the date you were granted permanent resident status. This date is on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Card or “Green Card”). The sample cards on this page show where you can find important information such as the date your Permanent Residence began.

“A–number”

Date you became a Permanent Resident

(January 1, 1980)

“A–number”

Port-of-Entry or office where you were granted adjustment of status

“A–number”

Front

Back

This card does not have Port- of-Entry on it.

Date you became a Permanent Resident

(April 3, 1980)

Port-of-Entry or office where you were granted adjustment of status

Date you became a Permanent Resident

(July 12, 1991)