“Scottish by birth, American by adoption, and humbly grateful for both.” This is what Grandma Ella often says. She is undoubtedly proud of her native heritage, but it’s also arguable that she’s one of the most patriotic “adopted” Americans around!On 3 May 1957, Ella petitioned to become a naturalized citizen of the United States, and on 14 June 1957 she officially became one.
In honor of America’s Independence Day on July 4th, I wanted to share some of the requirements to become a US citizen. It’s a big deal to change your citizenship! But I love Ella’s philosophy - to celebrate both nationalities and to be “humbly grateful for both.”
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| Ella's US Naturalization Record |
For an adult immigrant to become a U.S. citizen, he or she must go through the process of naturalization. GENERAL requirements for naturalization call for the immigrant to:
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of filing the Application for Naturalization, Form N-400
- Be lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States
- At the time of the filing the application, have been a permanent resident in the United States for at least for five years OR for at least three years if you meet all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a United States citizen
- Have demonstrated continuous permanent residence
- Have demonstrated physical presence
- Have lived within the State or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services District for at least three months prior to filing
- Have demonstrated good moral character
- Demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution
- Demonstrate an ability to read, write, speak and understand basic English
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of U.S. history, government, and civic principles
- Take an oath of allegiance to the United States
- Receive a Certificate of Naturalization
You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.(2)
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
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