Each country has specific requirements for becoming a citizen. The most important step in filing for citizenship is preparing yourself and your documents as completely and fully as possible. Contact the naturalization department of the country in which you hope to be a citizen. The citizenship process may vary depending on age and immigration status. Find out what background information is necessary and carefully compile all personal, work, family, and financial documentation.
The first step is to carefully collect all the necessary information and documentation that will be needed throughout the process. Complete this step before officially beginning the application process. It may be prudent to find an immigration lawyer or consultant, depending on the country you are applying to and the complexity of your personal, work, or family situation. If you already reside in the country in which you would like to become a citizen, there may be non-profit agencies or other community organizations that can help you with the various steps to becoming a citizen.
When contacting the naturalization department, find out the medium for applying. It may be necessary to complete part of the process online or in person. Ask for details on the complete process of filing for citizenship and if an in-person interview or examination is required. Depending on the country, there may be language or knowledge requirements that must be fulfilled before the application process can begin.
Be sure to prepare yourself fully for any testing or language requirements. Some countries may have specific rules on the number of times you can attempt to pass an interview, language test, or knowledge test. Investigate these regulations, and study and prepare yourself accordingly.
Compile a list of the tasks that need to be completed in order for the citizenship application to be complete. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to complete all steps. The application process may be time sensitive, meaning you might have a set amount of time beginning with the initial step to complete the process in full.
When filing for citizenship, keep in mind that there may be travel restrictions during the application process. Investigate any rules or restrictions and follow them closely. Any legal offenses during sensitive periods may cause delay or disqualification of your application.
If you have any prior legal offenses, including immigration offenses, it may be necessary to explore whether or not they are present on your criminal record and how they may affect your application to become a citizen. It may be wise to contact a lawyer to find out how these will affect you. If you are filing for citizenship based on a spouse or family member, be sure to clear their record as well.
While filing for citizenship, you may need to be in contact with various departments in your own country as well. It might be necessary to give up your native citizenship in order to become a citizen of another country. If you wish to have joint citizenship, explore and note each country's stipulations and be sure to comply with each. Some countries do not allow joint citizenship, and others only allow joint-citizenship in specific situations.
