Family services
The N-400, a careful look at your history, and calm preparation for the interview and civics test.
You have a green card and want to become a U.S. citizen.
Most green card holders can apply after 5 years as a permanent resident, or after 3 years if they have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse. You can file up to 90 days before you reach that date.
The form is long, but the hard part is your history. Long trips abroad, an old arrest, unfiled taxes, unpaid child support, or a missed Selective Service registration can cause trouble. We review all of it before you file, so nothing surprises you at the interview.
At the interview, an officer reviews your application and gives the English and civics test. We help you prepare, and we check whether you qualify for an exception for age, long residence or a disability.
Every step has an owner. You always know whether we are waiting on you, on us, or on the government.
Our team
Travel dates, addresses, jobs, taxes, any arrests. We pull court records ourselves when needed.
Our team
You review every answer before it is filed. We keep a copy of exactly what you said.
USCIS
Fingerprints and photos at a local support center.
You
We give you the official study materials and a practice session in English or Spanish.
USCIS
An attorney can attend with you. If you miss part of the test, you usually get one more try within a few months.
USCIS
You become a citizen when you take the oath. Then we help with passports and your family's next steps.
Often several months to more than a year, filing to oath.
It varies widely by field office and changes through the year. We check current published times with you before you file. We never promise a date.
Why cases waitDo not have everything? That is normal. Luis, our senior paralegal, helps you find or replace missing records.
None of these means your case is over. They mean it needs a plan before anything is filed.
Example outcome
Citizenship
Situation: A client who filed on his own before calling us.
What happened: His first application was denied: a trip of nearly eight months had broken his continuous residence. We waited until he was eligible again and refiled with the travel explained. Approved at the second interview.
Example outcomes describe past matters in general terms, with details changed to protect privacy. Every case is different. They are not a promise or prediction of your result.
More example outcomesIf you do not pass the English or civics test at your interview, USCIS usually retests you on the part you missed within about 60 to 90 days. We help you practice before both.
Children under 18 who have green cards and live with a citizen parent may become citizens automatically when you do. A certificate of citizenship (Form N‑600) documents it, and we can file it.
In some cases, yes. An application puts your whole history in front of an officer. That is why we review your records first, and sometimes advise waiting or taking another step before filing.
A 45-minute consultation with an attorney, in English or Spanish. We tell you the route, the flat fee and the honest range.
1820 S Blue Island Ave, Suite 300, Chicago. Near the 18th Street Pink Line stop.
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