In my last blog, I shared my journey to gain U.S. citizenship through Naturalization. In this blog, I will share the three (3) things I did after obtaining my Naturalization certificate. Congratulations on this important milestone if you have recently become a U.S. citizen!
The steps I took as soon as I naturalized were :
- Applying for a U.S. passport to ensure that I can travel internationally as a U.S. citizen. One thing to know is when you naturalize, your green card is taken, so you can only travel outside the U.S. once you get your U.S. passport. For more info, visit travel.state.gov.
- Registering to vote: As soon as I passed the citizenship interview, the immigration officer shared that I should go ahead and register to vote right away. Once a U.S. citizen, one can vote in local, state, and federal elections. One can register to vote by applying in person, by mail, at public assistance offices, or when one applies for or renews a driver’s license. Visit eac.gov for more information.
- Updating my Social Security record: As a U.S. citizen, you can now work without restrictions, and you are most likely eligible for Social Security benefits come retirement, given you contributed to Social Security.
Applying for a U.S. passport
Below are the steps I took to apply for a U.S. passport :
- Visit usps
- Pick an appointment date and location. You can also add services like taking your passport photos at the appointment or bringing your passport-sized photos.
- Download and fill out the passport application form without signing the document; you will sign in front of the officer.
- Attend the passport application appointment date.
- Bring your valid I.D./driver’s license.
- Bring your original naturalization certificate.
- Bring your checkbook or money order to pay for the passport application. You can’t pay for the passport application using debit cards/credit cards/cash. However, you can pay the processing fees using a debit/credit card. At the time of my application, here were the costs:
- Passport $130
- Execution fee $35
- Expedite fee $60
P.S. You have the option to expedite your passport. When I applied, the standard time frame was 12 weeks, but expediting took seven weeks. Although expediting was seven weeks, I got my passport in 15 days.
Pro-tip: As soon as you get your Naturalization certificate, you can do a walk-in appointment for a passport application instead of waiting for an appointment date. You can look at centers that allow walk-ins. My friend did this, and the next day after the oath ceremony he walked into a center, applied, and got his passport quicker than me. I wasn’t aware of walk-ins and waited for the appointment date, which was one month after the oath ceremony.
P.S. If you have an emergency like a death or sickness, you can call and get a passport immediately, i.e., under three days. You will need to have proof if asked.
Registering to vote
- You must be 18 before election day to be able to vote.
- Visit www.eac.gov
- Fill in the Voter Registration Application here, and you are all set
Updating Social Security record
- Wait until ten days after the Oath ceremony before doing this
- Visit your local Social Security office
- Bring a Certificate of Naturalization or your U.S. passport
There are other benefits for U.S. citizens, including :
- You can sponsor your family members, i.e., children, parents, spouse, etc.
- You can apply for federal benefits, for example, healthcare programs, housing benefits, and educational assistance.
Here are your rights as a U.S. citizen :
- Freedom to express yourself
- Freedom to worship as you wish
- Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury
- Right to vote in elections for public officials
- Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship
- Right to run for elected office
- Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Your responsibilities as a U.S. citizen include :
- Support and defend the Constitution
- Stay informed of the issues affecting your community
- Participate in the democratic process
- Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
- Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
- Participate in your local community.
- Pay income and other taxes honestly and on time to federal, state, and local authorities.
- Service on a jury when called upon.
- Defend the country if the need should arise.
Remember that being a U.S. citizen comes with great responsibility, including obeying U.S. laws. Enjoy the benefits of being a U.S. citizen, including traveling to lots of countries without needing visas, access to federal benefits, more job opportunities, sponsoring family members, and being able to leave and enter the U.S. without needing visas, voting, and running for office if that interests you.
