What About the Oath of Allegiance to the United States?
What About the Oath of Allegiance to the United States?When you become a citizen of the United States, you’re required to take an Oath of Allegiance. The oath requires you to affirm your loyalty to the United States, which may be at odds with your responsibilities to another country. The U.S. requires you to put the U.S. first, even when you’re a citizen of another country.
Rights and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens
As a U.S. citizen, you have certain rights and responsibilities. These include:
- The right to vote in federal elections
- The right to live permanently in the United States
- The responsibility to file taxes in the United States
- The responsibility to obey U.S. laws
- The responsibility to serve on a jury if called upon
- The responsibility to register with the Selective Service if you’re a male between the ages of 18 and 26
If you’re a dual citizen of the United States, you’re also required to comply with all U.S. laws, even if they conflict with the laws of your other country.
How to Get Dual Citizenship
You can’t simply apply to become a U.S. citizen, get a stamp and a naturalization certificate, and be on your way. The process is actually much more intense than that.
Typically, to become a U.S. citizen, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a green card for at least five years (or three years if you’re married to a U.S. citizen)
- Live in the state where you’ll be applying for citizenship for at least three months before the date of your application
- Demonstrate continuous residency in the United States for at least five years (or three years if you’re married to a U.S. citizen)
- Be able to read, write and speak basic English
- Have a basic understanding of U.S. history and government
- Demonstrate good moral character
To become a U.S. citizen, you must go through a process called naturalization. The first step is to file form N-400, which is the application for naturalization. After you submit your application, you’ll be called in for an interview with a USCIS officer who will ask you questions about your application, your background and your understanding of U.S. history and government.
After you pass the interview, you’ll be scheduled for a citizenship test, which covers U.S. history and government. You must answer at least six out of 10 questions correctly to pass. When you pass the test, you’ll be scheduled for a ceremony during which you’ll take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. After taking the oath, you’ll be officially sworn in as a U.S. citizen.
The entire process can take up to a year, but it may take longer if there’s a backlog of applications. (And that timeframe doesn’t count the waiting period before your application.)
Determining Whether You’re Already a Dual Citizen
If you were born in the United States, or if you were born to an American parent abroad, you’re automatically a U.S. citizen. But you might also be a citizen of the country where your parents were born. For example, if your parents were Mexican citizens who were living in the U.S. when you were born, you would be a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico.
There are a few ways to determine if you’re already a dual citizen:
- Check your parents’ citizenship status. If they were citizens of another country when you were born, it’s likely that you’re a dual citizen.
- Check your birth certificate. In some cases, your birth certificate may list your parents’ citizenship status.
- Contact the embassy or consulate of the other country. You can contact the embassy or consulate of the other country to inquire about your citizenship status.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship
There are both advantages and disadvantages to being a dual citizen. Potential advantages include:
- You can live and work freely in two countries.
- You can own property in both countries.
- You have access to the social services and benefits of both countries.
- You can vote in both countries.
- You can travel freely between the two countries.
Potential disadvantages may include:
- You’re subject to the laws of both countries, even when they conflict with each other.
- You may have to pay taxes in both countries.
- You may be drafted into the military service of both countries.
What You Need to Know About Consular Protection
As a U.S. citizen, you have the right to consular protection while traveling abroad. That means that if you’re in another country and you need assistance, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for help – but the U.S. may not be able to help you if you’re in a country in which you hold citizenship.
Which Passport Do You Use When You Have Two From Different Countries?
If you’re a dual citizen of the United States and another country, you may travel to most locations on either passport; you can choose which to use based on your own personal reasons. However, sometimes when you’re traveling into or leaving a country in which you have citizenship, you’re required to use your passport for that country. (The U.S. doesn’t require you to use your U.S. passport either way, but some countries do.)
Do You Need to Talk to a San Francisco Immigration Attorney About Obtaining Dual Citizenship?
If you’d like to become a U.S. citizen (no matter where you are in the process), if you have questions about the process of obtaining dual citizenship or need help with any other aspect of U.S. immigration law, call our office right away. We can give you the guidance you need to reach your goals.
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