I am almost close to applying for Citizenship, not sure whether i will or not, but just curious have any of you filed for your CZ, if yes how long does it take over process from day 1 apply till you got your CZ. I am not in rush at all ( or may never apply - depends) but i want to put this in my radar for future. Questions like - where should i look for papers for filing .. what about the interview.. Do i have to surrender my passport right away. Also - having CZ will impact my property back in Nepal... I appreciate your feedback in advance. Thanks for your help

I helped a compatriot file her citizenship recently (DV winner that'd been living here for 5 yrs). Processing time depends on your field office. It's quite plausible for your processing time to take upto 6 months on average (NYC, Boston, Houston are seriously backlogged w/ processing time lasting upto 9 months).

You can download your form from here. http://www.uscis.gov/n-400. The entire process goes like this.

1. Filing.
2. Fingerprint (within a month). Try to pick up your "civics test" material during this.
3. You'll receive a notification saying you've been placed in line for an Interview.
4. Your status changes to "scheduled for interview".
5. You may receive a "yellow letter" after your fingerprint. It's a pretty generic notice that normally asks you to bring your passport and greencard to your interview.
6. You show up at your interview. During the interview, you'll be asked to verify that all the info that you included in the application is correct. Your immigration officer might go through your passport to ensure that you didn't spend over 6 months (in 1 trip) outside the US. You'll be randomly asked 10 questions (out of 100 that's included in the cd you can receive during your fingerprint). You need to get 6 of those correct. Most people get the first 6 correct at which point, IO stops asking.

As part of your English test, You'll be asked to read a sentence and write one, too.

Interview is pretty much a formality provided that you don't have any warrants and criminal history. If you do, then they will ask you to submit court dispositions. If you've got tickets/citations less than $500/ticket, you won't need to disclose it either.
7. Depending on your field office, you might be asked to take the Oath that very day. If you live in a big city, you'll be asked to wait for your Oath letter (normally sent out 2-4 weeks after Interview day).
8. On the day of the interview, you'll be asked to take a pledge of allegiance. Upon taking Oath, you'll be issued a certificate of Naturalization.

I went to her Oath ceremony last month and it seemed quite a moving experience. There were quite a few emotional attendees - especially from Africa, Bhutan, and war-inflicted regions.

After you've received your certificate, you can apply for your US passport.

Hey same problem to me
Any one help me out I fill up N-400 application for naturalization but by my mistake that I say yes to question for arresting,detained by any law inforcement in us?cos I was pull over by cop for driving later on I found that

For traffic violation I dnt have to disclose traffic ticket which is less than $500 but I got mail from uscis ,that I have to bring disposition letter now I m getting confuse I never been arrested,detained
Any solution

Hey Riddle you have been always a great help for any of my inquiry even in past for answering me with details on my quires. I thank you from the bottom of my heart taking you time out to type in all these info. I am sure that who even is in the path to file for CZ will surely benefit from this. I heard that with being Citizen can take away some of your privilege back home ( ex. limit on property, or can't own property etc) - so will think about that. Also, if any one knows any attorney or people who may guide me will be big help. Thanks

Ratna11, Nepali embassy does issue NRN cards so you might wanna do some research on that. At this point, its certainly a matter that falls under gray area.

Should you naturalize, I'd urge you to keep it to yourself instead of landing at TIA waving American flag and bragging about your 'murican citizenship.

That said, the new constitution will most likely address issues pertaining to inheritance and other key issues.