US Citizenship
Becoming a U.S. citizen is the final step in your immigration journey — and one of the most meaningful. It's also one where small mistakes can create big problems.
For more than 20 years, the Law Offices of Michael Ponder have helped lawful permanent residents across the Austin area become United States citizens. Whether you're a green card holder ready to file your N-400, a child seeking a Certificate of Citizenship, or someone worried that something in your past might disqualify you, you'll work directly with an experienced immigration attorney — fluent in English and Spanish — who knows exactly what USCIS expects.
Call 512-300-0810 to click here to schedule a Consultation
What Is U.S. Citizenship?
U.S. citizenship is the highest immigration status available. Once you become a citizen, you receive rights and protections that go far beyond what a green card provides:
The right to vote in federal, state, and local elections
A U.S. passport for international travel
Protection from deportation in almost all circumstances
The ability to sponsor more family members for green cards, including parents and siblings (which green card holders cannot do)
Eligibility for federal jobs and certain government benefits
The right to pass citizenship to your children automatically in most cases
Permanent status that cannot be lost simply because you spent time outside the United States
For most people, U.S. citizenship is obtained through a process called naturalization, which is filed using Form N-400. For others — particularly children of U.S. citizens — citizenship may already exist automatically, and only needs to be documented with a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600).
Naturalization (N-400): The Most Common Path to Citizenship
Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen. To qualify, you must meet several specific requirements. Many of these sound simple but contain hidden complications. Here's the plain-language breakdown:
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Be at least 18 years old
Be a lawful permanent resident (have a green card)
Have held your green card for at least 5 years — or 3 years if you obtained it through marriage to a U.S. citizen and you're still married to and living with that spouse
Have continuous residence in the United States during the qualifying period
Have physical presence in the United States for at least half of the qualifying period
Demonstrate good moral character during the qualifying period (and sometimes earlier)
Pass an English language test (reading, writing, and speaking) — exceptions exist for older applicants and people with disabilities
Pass a U.S. civics test about American history and government — exceptions exist for older applicants
Take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States
What "Good Moral Character" Actually Means
This is the requirement that trips up the most people. Good moral character is not always just about avoiding criminal convictions. USCIS officers review:
Criminal history — even minor offenses, dismissed charges, or arrests without convictions
Tax compliance — failure to file taxes or pay child support can disqualify you
Honesty on prior immigration applications — including small misstatements
Voting in U.S. elections as a non-citizen (a serious violation)
Claiming to be a U.S. citizen on any government form (also a serious violation)
Domestic violence, drug offenses, or fraud at any time in your life — not just the past 5 years
In recent years, USCIS has applied heightened scrutiny to N-400 applications. Officers can review conduct outside the standard 5-year (or 3-year) period if they believe it reflects on your current moral character.
This is why a consultation matters before you file. If anything in your background could raise questions, you want to know about it before USCIS does — not after.
What Can Go Wrong With an N-400
The most common reasons N-400 applications are denied or delayed:
Failing the English or civics test without seeking an exception you qualified for
Disclosing too little or too much about prior arrests or convictions
Long absences from the United States that broke continuous residence
Tax problems that surfaced during the application
Marriage-based applicants who divorced or separated before filing
Triggering a deportation review — yes, applying for citizenship can sometimes lead to removal proceedings if you have unresolved issues. This is one of the most serious risks of filing without legal advice.
If you have any concerns about your background — criminal history, tax issues, time abroad, prior immigration problems, or anything else — talk to an attorney before filing. The cost of a consultation is far less than the cost of a denial or, worse, deportation.
If you've already prepared your N-400 and want a professional check before filing, our Document Review Service provides a flat-fee $900 review by an experienced attorney.
Certificates of Citizenship (N-600): When You're Already a Citizen
Many people are U.S. citizens without realizing it. If you were born outside the United States but had a U.S. citizen parent — or your parent became a citizen while you were a minor — you may have acquired or derived citizenship automatically. No naturalization required.
What you may need is a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600), which is the official document proving the citizenship you already have.
Common situations where an N-600 is appropriate:
You were born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent
You were born abroad to two U.S. citizen parents
One of your parents naturalized while you were under 18 and you had a green card
You were adopted by a U.S. citizen and met the legal requirements for derivation
If any of these describe your situation, you may not need to go through naturalization at all. Talk to us first — getting an N-600 instead of an N-400 can save you significant time and avoid unnecessary risks.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Michael Ponder for Your Citizenship Case
Citizenship cases look simple from the outside. They aren't always. Heightened USCIS scrutiny, expanded background reviews, and the risk of triggering deportation review for old issues mean that experienced legal guidance pays for itself.
When you hire our office for your citizenship case, you receive:
Personal attention from a senior immigration attorney — not a paralegal or first-year associate
Bilingual service — Attorney Michael Ponder is fluent in Spanish; Attorney Omar Zavala Soto is a native Spanish speaker. Every member of our team communicates in both English and Spanish.
20+ years of experience with naturalization and citizenship cases, including complex ones
179+ five-star Google reviews from clients we've helped
An honest assessment of your case — including identification of any background issues that could create problems
Test preparation guidance — including practice for the English and civics portions
Payment plans available — first payment for most cases is $700–$1,000, with monthly payments after that
How the Process Works When You Hire Us
Schedule a paid consultation ($75 paid in advance or $100 at the appointment) — we review your eligibility, identify any potential issues, and confirm naturalization is the right path
You decide whether to retain us — no pressure, no obligation
We prepare your N-400 with full supporting documentation
We file with USCIS and track your case through every stage
We prepare you for your biometrics, English/civics test, and interview — including practice sessions
You take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization
The total process typically takes 8–14 months depending on USCIS workload and your local field office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a citizen after filing the N-400?
Most cases are decided within 8–14 months from filing to oath ceremony, but this varies significantly by USCIS field office. The Houston field office, which handles many Austin-area cases, has historically been one of the slower offices in the country. We'll give you an updated estimate during your consultation.
Do I have to give up my original citizenship to become a U.S. citizen?
The United States allows dual citizenship, but your home country may not. Whether you can keep your original citizenship depends on the laws of your country of origin — not U.S. law. We can help you understand the U.S. side of this question, but you may also need to consult with someone familiar with your home country's nationality law.
What if I fail the English or civics test?
If you fail either portion of the test at your interview, USCIS gives you a second chance to retake the failed portion within 60–90 days. Failing twice usually results in denial of your N-400. We help our clients prepare so this doesn't happen — and we can identify whether you qualify for a medical exception or one of the age-based exceptions before you file.
Can I apply for citizenship if I have a criminal record?
Sometimes — but you must be careful. Some convictions are absolute bars to naturalization. Others raise good moral character concerns but may not disqualify you, depending on timing and severity. Some convictions can even trigger deportation review when you apply. Never file an N-400 with a criminal history without first consulting an attorney. We've helped clients with complex backgrounds successfully naturalize, but we've also stopped clients from filing applications that would have ended in disaster.
Do I qualify for a 3-year wait instead of 5 years?
You qualify for the 3-year rule only if all of the following are true: (1) you got your green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen, (2) you've been a green card holder for at least 3 years, (3) you've been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse for those 3 years, and (4) your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the entire 3-year period. If any of these isn't true, you must wait 5 years.
Do you handle citizenship cases in Spanish?
Yes. Attorney Michael Ponder is fluent in Spanish, and so are all of our staff members. Vea esta página en español.
I think I might already be a U.S. citizen through my parents. What should I do?
Schedule a consultation. We'll review your situation and determine whether you should file an N-400 (naturalization) or an N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship). The right answer depends on your parents' citizenship history, your age when key events happened, and several other factors.
Ready to Become a U.S. Citizen?
Don't navigate this alone. Schedule a consultation with our office and get clear, honest guidance about your eligibility — in English or Spanish.
Call 512-300-0810 or click here and fill out our webform to Schedule a Consultation
Already filled out your N-400? Learn about our $900 Document Review Service.
If you're not yet a green card holder, learn about our Green Card services here.