Naturalization Attorney in Raleigh

Immigration-Focused Representation for Raleigh, NC Residents & Families Across North Carolina

For many permanent residents, naturalization is the final step in a journey that has taken years or decades. At E. A. Wood Law Firm, our practice is dedicated exclusively to immigration law, which means our naturalization clients receive the same focused legal attention as every other case we handle. We represent individuals and families throughout Raleigh, Wake County, and across North Carolina through secure phone and video technology, with in-person consultations available at our New Bern office. Our team brings over 20 years of combined immigration experience, and our attorneys hold active memberships in the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the North Carolina Bar Association, and the California Bar Association.

Naturalization is the legal process by which a foreign national becomes a U.S. citizen after meeting the requirements established under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The stakes are real: citizenship protects you from deportation, unlocks the right to vote, and allows you to petition for family members.

Ready to start your naturalization process? Call our naturalization attorneys at (800) 611-0821 or schedule an in-person, phone, or video consultation at your convenience.

Who Qualifies for Naturalization

Before filing Form N-400 (the Application for Naturalization), an applicant must meet a specific set of federal requirements. The general criteria include being at least 18 years old, holding a valid green card, and having resided continuously in the United States for at least five years. That continuous residence requirement drops to three years for green card holders married to a U.S. citizen. Applicants must also have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months out of the preceding five years and have lived in their state or USCIS district for at least three months before filing.

Beyond residency, applicants must demonstrate good moral character, read and write basic English, and pass the U.S. civics test. A few additional points worth knowing:

• Married to a U.S. citizen: You may apply after three years of permanent residence rather than five
• Military members: Active-duty service members during designated hostilities may apply without meeting the standard five-year requirement
• Criminal history: Even dismissed or expunged charges can affect the good moral character determination; consult an attorney before filing
• Modified civics test: Applicants 65 or older who have held a green card for at least 20 years qualify for a shorter civics exam

The Naturalization Process, Step by Step

We guide clients through every stage of the naturalization process, from the initial eligibility review through the Oath of Allegiance ceremony.

Confirm Eligibility & Prepare the N-400
We review your immigration history, residency record, and any prior charges before touching the form. Incomplete or inaccurate answers on Form N-400 are among the most common causes of delays, and we check every item for accuracy before filing.

Biometrics & USCIS Interview Preparation
After filing, USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment to collect fingerprints and photographs. We then prepare you for the interview: what to bring, what to expect, and how the English and civics tests are administered. For clients who need additional support, we have worked directly with applicants to strengthen their English reading and writing skills so they can prepare thoroughly for the test.

USCIS Decision & Oath of Allegiance
If USCIS approves your application, you’ll receive a notice to appear at an Oath of Allegiance ceremony. At that ceremony, you receive your Certificate of Naturalization and all the rights of U.S. citizenship, including the right to vote and permanent exemption from deportation. We can walk you through what that day looks like and what it means.

What U.S. Citizenship Unlocks for You & Your Family

Permanent residence offers stability, but citizenship provides something permanent residence can’t promise: full legal belonging in the United States. Key benefits include the right to vote in U.S. elections, eligibility for federal jobs and certain federal benefits, the ability to obtain a U.S. passport, and exemption from removal proceedings. Citizenship also allows you to petition for immediate family members, which can affect their immigration path.

We have guided DACA recipients through the full arc from lawful permanent residence to U.S. citizenship, and we assist clients who want to use their new status to sponsor family members. These are the cases that show what naturalization actually means beyond the paperwork.

Naturalization Support for Military Families

We have a specific commitment to serving military families, and that commitment extends to naturalization. Service members on active duty during periods of designated military hostilities may apply for citizenship without satisfying the standard five-year permanent residence requirement. Spouses and children of military personnel may qualify under separate provisions, and surviving family members of fallen service members may be eligible for certain immigration benefits based on the service member’s posthumous citizenship. Applications can be processed at a USCIS office domestically or overseas depending on where the service member is stationed. If you or your family member serves or has served, we want to help you understand every option available to you.

Dual Citizenship: What to Know Before You Apply

The United States doesn’t require applicants to renounce other citizenships as a condition of naturalization. However, some countries automatically revoke citizenship when their national becomes a U.S. citizen, so it’s important to verify your home country’s rules before filing. Dual citizens may also carry obligations in both countries, such as tax reporting requirements or military service. Consulting with an attorney before filing can give you a clear picture of how naturalization affects your status in both places.

Naturalization Mistakes That Cause Delays & Denials

Many applications run into trouble for entirely preventable reasons. Inaccurate or incomplete answers on Form N-400, extended international travel that disrupts continuous residence, and undisclosed prior criminal charges are the issues we see most often. Even a charge that was dismissed or expunged years ago can affect the good moral character finding if it isn’t addressed before filing. We review each client’s history carefully and, when a prior charge raises questions, we coordinate with appropriate counsel to address it. Failing to prepare for the English and civics tests is another avoidable setback, which is why we offer direct coaching for clients who need it.

Questions Raleigh Applicants Ask Before Filing

The questions below cover situations the rest of this page doesn’t address in full. If yours isn’t listed, call us directly and we can walk you through it.

Can I apply if my green card has expired?
You must hold a valid green card at the time of filing. If yours has expired or is close to expiring, file Form I-90 to renew it before submitting Form N-400.

Can I travel outside the U.S. while my application is pending?
Travel is permitted, but extended trips can raise concerns about continuous residence. Discuss any planned travel with your attorney before you go.

Can I change my name during naturalization?
Yes. A name change can be requested directly on the N-400 and is typically granted at the Oath of Allegiance ceremony.

Is there an age limit to apply?
There isn’t. Applicants 65 or older who have been permanent residents for at least 20 years qualify for a modified civics test with fewer required questions.

How long does the process take?
Processing times vary based on USCIS workload and your designated office and can range from several months to over a year. Accurate, complete documentation from the start is one of the best ways to avoid added delays.

Work with a Naturalization Lawyer Serving Raleigh & All of North Carolina

When you work with E. A. Wood Law Firm, you work directly with your attorney. We don’t route clients through layers of support staff, and we communicate fluently in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French. We serve clients in all 50 states and internationally through secure video and phone technology. For Raleigh-area clients, that means access to attorneys with over 20 years of combined immigration experience without needing to travel to our New Bern office unless you prefer to.

Call (800) 611-0821 or reach out online to schedule your consultation by phone, video, or in person. Let’s talk about where you are in the process and what the path to citizenship can look like for you.