Serving The Immigration Needs Of The San Diego Area Since 1984

You have work to do after you become a citizen

On Behalf of | Aug 23, 2019 | Citizenship

Becoming a citizen of the United States is one reason to celebrate for a person who has worked so hard to get to this point. You will enjoy some new rights that come with a few responsibilities. Making the adjustment to being a citizen might be a bit overwhelming at first.

You won’t have to carry your immigration documents with you everywhere. This is a major difference from non-citizens who can face serious consequences for not having their documentation on their person. As a citizen you will be able to carry your basic identification just like other citizens do.

As a citizen, you will now be able to vote in elections. If you want to take advantage of this right, you must first register to vote. You can do this when you get your driver’s license or identification card. You can also do it via mail or at public offices like SNAP or WIC.

If you have children, you will also need to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship for them. Lawful permanent residents who are under 18 years old become citizens when their parents are naturalized.

You might need to get a passport. This is especially important if you plan on visiting other countries. Some people choose to get the passport as a secondary form of identification. It is a good idea to get this as soon as possible because the processing times can be lengthy.

The process of obtaining your citizenship is a worthy one that comes with numerous benefits. Embracing the responsibilities is just another part of the process.