A Guide to Naturalization - The material you are reading is A Guide to Naturalization.

Aggravated Felony - Usually refers to particularly serious crimes. If you have committed an aggravated felony, you may be permanently ineligible for naturalization. The Immigration and Nationality Act and the laws in each state determine what is considered an aggravated felony.

Application Support Center (ASC) - USCIS offices where applicants usually have their fingerprints taken. Once you have filed your application with USCIS, you will receive a notice telling you which ASC serves your area.

AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card - This is the form you use to tell USCIS when you have moved to a new address. The AR-11 is pre-printed with USCIS's address. It is very important to tell USCIS when your address changes. This way you will receive any information we send you, including interview notices and requests for additional documents.

Certificate of Naturalization - A certificate given at the oath ceremony. It serves as proof of your citizenship. USCIS also recommends getting a United States passport as evidence that you are a citizen.

Community Based Organization (CBO) - Organizations that assist immigrants who are new to the United States or who are going through the naturalization process. Many CBOs will help you complete your application and guide you through the naturalization process. CBOs may charge a fee or offer their services free of charge.

Constitution - The supreme law of the United States. It may be changed only through amendment by Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Continued - One of three things that may happen to your case after your interview (granted, denied, or continued). If your case is continued, it is put on hold until further action is taken by you or USCIS. If your case is continued, USCIS may ask you to provide more documents or to come to an additional interview.

Continuous Residence - An important requirement for naturalization. "Continuous residence" may be broken if you take a single trip out of the country that lasts for 6 months or more.

Denied - One of three things that may happen to your case after your interview (granted, denied, or continued). If your application is denied, you have not met the eligibility requirements for naturalization.

Districts - The geographic divisions of the United States used by USCIS. There are 33 USCIS districts in the United States.

G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative - Form G28 must be filed with your N-400 if you wish to bring a representative with you to your USCIS interview.

Good Moral Character - Good moral character is an important eligibility requirement for naturalization. When determining if an applicant has "good moral character," USCIS considers such things as honesty and criminal records.

Granted - One of three things that may happen to your case after your interview (granted, denied, or continued). If you are eligible, your application will be approved or "granted." After you take the Oath of Allegiance, you will be a United States citizen.

I-847, Report of Complaint - You may use this form if you have a complaint about the service at USCIS. The I847 is a postcard that is addressed to USCIS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

USCIS Forms Line - The USCIS Forms Line distributes all forms for immigration and naturalization. You can call the Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676 to have any USCIS forms sent to you, including the "Application for Naturalization" (Form N-400).

USCIS Information Counter - USCIS offices have information counters staffed by USCIS employees called Immigration Information Officers (IIOs). IIOs are available to answer questions you have about naturalization.

N-400, Application for Naturalization - The N400 is the application that all people 18 years of age or older use to become naturalized.

N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony - If you are approved for naturalization, you will receive an N445 telling you when and where to attend your swearing in ceremony. On the back of the form will be several questions that you must answer before you check in at the ceremony.

N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes - The N470 is a form that can be used by a small group of people who leave the country for longer than 1 year to maintain their "continuous residence."

N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/ Citizenship Document - If you lose your Certificate of Naturalization or your Certificate of Citizenship, you may file an N565 to get a new one. This process may take up to 1 year, so USCIS advises naturalized citizens to also get a U.S. passport as evidence of their U.S. citizenship.

N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship - Qualified persons born outside the United States to U.S. citizen parents or parents who became citizens may file a Form N600 to get a Certificate of Citizenship.

N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of a Certificate under Section 322 - Qualified children born to U.S. citizen parents and currently residing outside the United States may obtain naturalization and a Certificate of Citizenship by the filing of a Form N600K.

N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions - The form used to apply for a disability exemption. If you have a qualifying medical disability that prevents you from fulfilling the English and civics requirement, you must have a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor, or licensed clinical psychologist complete and sign an N648. You must submit the N648 with your application.

Naturalization - Naturalization is the process by which immigrants become citizens.

Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet - A tool that you may use to determine if you are eligible for naturalization. You do not send this worksheet to USCIS at any time; it is for your use only.

Oath Ceremony - To become a naturalized citizen of the United States, you must attend an oath ceremony where you take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Oath of Allegiance to the United States - The oath you take to become a citizen. When you take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, you are promising to give up your allegiance to other countries and to support and defend the United States, the Constitution, and our laws. You must be able to take and understand the Oath of Allegiance in order to become a naturalized citizen.

Outlying Possessions - The current outlying possessions of the United States are American Samoa and Swains Island.

Permanent Resident - A Permanent Resident is a person who has been granted permanent resident status in the United States and has (or is waiting for) a Permanent Resident Card.

Permanent Resident Card - The Permanent Resident Card is an USCIS document that identifies a person as a Permanent Resident. The Permanent Resident Card may be identified as either Form I-151 or Form I-551. The Permanent Resident Card used to be known as the Alien Registration Card and "green card."

Physical Presence - Physical presence in the United States is an important eligibility requirement. Most naturalization applicants must spend a specified amount of time in the United States in order to meet the "physical presence" requirement for naturalization. Except in a few cases, time spent outside of the United States, even if you go to Canada or Mexico briefly, does not count toward your "physical presence."

Port-of-Entry - The Port-of-Entry is the place where you legally entered the country as a Permanent Resident.