Reno Citizenship Lawyer

Our Naturalization Attorney in Reno, NV, Helps Immigrants Achieve Their Dream of Becoming U.S. Citizens

If your American dream involves not only living permanently in the United States as an immigrant but also achieving full U.S. citizenship, you’re facing a long and complex process. The guidance of an experienced Reno citizenship lawyer can make a significant difference, allowing you to navigate the naturalization process successfully in spite of the numerous demands and challenges.

At Smit Law Group, we have a history of helping clients obtain this meaningful milestone. Whether you arrived through a family-based visa, permanent residency, or another path, we’re here to guide your next steps. Contact us today for the support you need to attain U.S. citizenship and open the door to full participation in the rights and privileges of American life.

Understanding Citizenship and Naturalization in Reno, NV

In the United States, citizenship can be acquired in one of two main ways:

• By birth: A person who is either born within the United States or born abroad to U.S. citizen parents qualifies for citizenship by birth.
• By naturalization: Through a legal process called naturalization, a lawful permanent resident, also known as a Green Card holder, who meets eligibility requirements can become a U.S. citizen.

For most adult immigrants without U.S. citizen parents, naturalization is the primary route to becoming a U.S. citizen. However, it’s also a complex process that includes strict eligibility requirements. Green Card holders seeking full citizenship through naturalization benefit from having trusted legal counsel on their side, guiding them through this process and helping them prepare for every stage.

Your future deserves attention today. Call 775-993-2235 or contact our team to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

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Benefits of Obtaining U.S. Citizenship Through Naturalization

For many of the clients we serve at Smit Law Group, naturalization is the culmination of a long immigration journey. Achieving citizenship is a personal achievement, but it also provides practical benefits that go far beyond legal status, granting freedom, permanence, and greater participation in American life.

Benefits of U.S. Citizenship include the following.

Civic Advantages

If you want the opportunity to participate in democracy, citizenship expands your potential involvement beyond what permanent resident status alone can offer. Once you become a U.S. citizen, you gain the right to vote in federal, state, and local elections. This gives you a direct voice in shaping laws, policies, and leadership. You can also run for most public offices and serve on a jury. Through naturalization, you can gain the opportunity to play a meaningful role in American democracy.

No More Immigration Paperwork

Unlike Green Card holders, U.S. citizens never need to renew their status or worry about losing lawful residency due to missed deadlines or extended travel abroad. Citizenship is permanent and generally cannot be lost because of most immigration or minor legal infractions. Once you go through the naturalization process to become a U.S. citizen, you never have to renew this status. This accomplishment signals the end of immigration paperwork, renewal fees, reentry permits, Green Card replacements, and concerns about loss of lawful residency status.

Protection from Deportation

While many criminal or immigration-related violations can lead to loss of a Green Card, U.S. citizens cannot be deported under most circumstances. Generally, naturalized citizenship can only be revoked in rare cases involving fraud during the application process.

This protection provides lasting peace of mind and stability not only for you as an individual but also for your entire family.

Ability to Petition for More Family Members

Although Green Card holders can sponsor some relatives for visas, they are limited in both the relationships that qualify and the benefits available to beneficiaries (family preference that is still subject to visa availability rather than immediate relative status). Citizens can sponsor a wider range of family members for Green Cards, including parents, married children, and siblings, without the lengthy preference-category waiting periods that apply to permanent residents. This makes family reunification faster and more attainable.

The Right to Pass Citizenship to Children

Children born abroad to U.S. citizens may automatically acquire citizenship, depending on specific residency and documentation requirements. This right extends to naturalized citizens as well as Americans whose U.S. citizenship was conferred by birth, ensuring that your family’s status and security extend to the next generation.

Access to a U.S. Passport and Global Mobility

A U.S. passport is one of the most powerful travel documents in the world, and it’s only available to U.S. citizens, not Green Card holders. With your newly obtained citizenship, you will qualify for a U.S. passport that allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 180 countries. Citizens also receive U.S. government protection while traveling abroad and can seek assistance from American embassies and consulates when needed.

Eligibility for Federal Jobs and Benefits

Many government positions, including those in law enforcement and national security, are open only to U.S. citizens. Naturalization is the pathway to pursue a calling in one of these areas.

Citizenship also provides access to additional federal grants, scholarships, and benefits that are unavailable to non-citizens.

Feeling Like a True American

In addition to the powerful legal, financial, and civic advantages that citizenship offers, it also provides a sense of belonging and security that permanent residency alone cannot match. It’s a way to bring families together, secure futures for loved ones, and fully embrace the opportunities that America offers.

At Smit Law Group, we recognize that becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the most rewarding milestones for any immigrant. We help our clients achieve these lasting rewards through legal guidance that ensures the smoothest possible naturalization process.

Eligibility Criteria for Citizenship Through the Naturalization Process

Eligibility requirements for citizenship through the naturalization process include:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Holding lawful permanent resident (Green Card) status, typically for at least five years
• Maintaining continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S. and residency for at least three months in the state or district where you are applying
• Demonstrating good moral character, as supported by a lack of serious criminal offenses or repeated misdemeanors on your record, honesty in government dealings, and overall conduct
• Showing attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and willingness to pledge your loyalty to the United States by taking the Oath of Allegiance
• Passing English and civics tests, unless you qualify for an exception (such as having a documented medical or developmental disability or being 50 years old and having had permanent resident status for 20 years or 55 with 15 years as a resident)

Under certain circumstances, you may qualify for exceptions to some of these requirements. For example, U.S. military service may reduce or waive waiting periods under permanent resident status. So can marriage to a U.S. citizen, decreasing the time required as a Green Card holder from five years to three years.

At Smit Law Group, our experienced Reno citizenship lawyer can evaluate your situation, explain your options, and guide you through the naturalization process from start to finish.

Citizenship Through Family-Based Immigration

Family ties are among the strongest pathways to lawful permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship. Many immigrants who come to the United States through family-based petitions later become eligible for naturalization once they meet residency and other requirements. As a law firm that assists our clients with all aspects of family-based immigration, we understand the nuances of the different stages of the immigration process. Examples of the types of matters we can assist your family with include:

• Helping Green Card holders who are married to U.S. citizens apply for naturalization after three years of continuous residence, instead of the usual five
• Securing citizenship for children of at least one U.S. citizen parent under the specific conditions in which the child is eligible to automatically acquire or derive citizenship from their parent
• Guiding newly naturalized citizens through the process of petitioning for their parents’ lawful permanent residence

Each family’s immigration journey is different, and the specific details of your unique situation matter. Working with our law firm’s experienced naturalization attorney in Reno, NV, ensures that eligibility is properly assessed and all supporting documentation is accurate and complete.

Beyond Family Immigration: Other Paths to Citizenship

While family-based immigration is one of the most common routes to citizenship, other pathways also exist. Our firm can assist with securing citizenship in other circumstances, including:

• Employment-based immigration: Green Card holders who work in the U.S. for several years may qualify for naturalization.
• Refugee or asylum status: Individuals granted asylum or refugee status may apply for a Green Card and later pursue citizenship.
• Military service: Members of the U.S. Armed Forces may qualify for expedited citizenship.
• DACA or TPS recipients transitioning to permanent residency: Some individuals who previously held temporary status can pursue citizenship once they obtain a Green Card.

Regardless of your situation, it helps to have trusted legal counsel ensuring that you understand your rights, options, and the documentation required to achieve your citizenship goals.

The Step-by-Step Process of Naturalization

Applying for U.S. citizenship involves several key steps. The actions you need to take to manage the naturalization process include the following:

• Determine eligibility and gather documentation, including immigration history and travel records.
• Complete Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) and submit it, along with all necessary supporting documents, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Attend a biometrics appointment and submit your fingerprints, photographs, and signature to USCIS to facilitate background checks.
• Attend the naturalization interview with a USCIS officer and answer questions about your application, background, and knowledge of U.S. civics and history.
• Take a civics test and an assessment of your English reading, writing, and speaking skills (unless you qualify for an exemption).
• Take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony upon approval of your application, at which point you officially become a U.S. citizen.

At the naturalization ceremony, you will receive your Certificate of Naturalization. This certificate serves as proof of your new status and allows you to apply for a U.S. passport, vote, and sponsor family members for immigration.

Common Challenges a Naturalization Attorney in Reno, NV, Can Handle as You Pursue Citizenship

The path to citizenship through naturalization can be complicated. Applications aren’t always approved by USCIS. Instead, the federal agency may deny your application or issue a decision of “continued,” which means that USCIS needs additional information or documentation. Even when applicants meet all eligibility requirements, certain issues can cause delays or complications.

Some of the challenges that can arise when you’re pursuing citizenship through the naturalization process include:

• Errors on Form N-400
• Errors on previous immigration forms that lead to inconsistencies
• Incomplete documentation submitted with Form N-400 or other immigration forms
• Gaps in continuous residence or physical presence that impact eligibility at a given time
• Prior criminal history or arrests that can make you ineligible
• Unpaid taxes or child support that can impact perception of your moral character
• Failure to register for Selective Service (for males)
• Missed appointments or deadlines at any point in the naturalization process
• Ineffective preparation for the naturalization interview or for English proficiency and civics tests

Any of these issues can lead to setbacks or delays, but you don’t have to accept them as the end of your immigration journey. At Smit Law Group, our Reno citizenship lawyer is prepared to address requests for further documentation, appeal denials, and otherwise intervene when you encounter challenges in your efforts to seek citizenship. We don’t wait until issues arise to take action. When you work with our law firm from the beginning, we’re able to identify potential obstacles early and develop strategies to resolve them, minimizing delays and increasing the chances of a successful application for citizenship through naturalization.

How Smit Law Group Can Help

Navigating the path to U.S. citizenship can be complex, especially when family members are involved. The immigration system demands precision, patience, and advocacy. At Smit Law Group, our attorney combines deep legal knowledge with compassionate representation.

As your Reno citizenship lawyer, we will:

• Conduct a full eligibility assessment
• Prepare and review your forms and evidence
• Provide interview preparation and representation
• Communicate with USCIS on your behalf
• Handle complications, denials, or appeals if needed

Our goal is not only to help you achieve citizenship but also to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. With us in your corner, it’s possible to reduce the risk of delays or denials as well as your anxiety about the process.

Why Choose Smit Law Group as Your Reno Citizenship Lawyer?

For Green Card holders seeking a Reno citizenship lawyer who will be a trusted advocate and an invaluable resource throughout the naturalization process, Smit Law Group is the firm of choice. We’re known for providing experienced, compassionate assistance for all immigration legal needs affecting families near Reno.

Legal Experience

Smit Law Group has served individuals and families near Reno since July 2014, and attorney Margaretha "Greta" Smit, who built our practice from scratch after her former employer’s firm collapsed, has 19 years of legal experience as of 2025.

Genuine Compassion

We truly care about the clients we serve and their immigration journeys, and supporting them in obtaining long-awaited citizenship is among the most fulfilling outcomes of our work. As an immigrant herself, attorney Greta Smit understands exactly how important this moment is for you and your family.

Full-Service Immigration Assistance

Our firm provides comprehensive legal services in immigration, from filing for family-based petitions and fiance(e) visas to representing clients in ICE detention bond hearings and defending against deportation proceedings. For all of your family’s immigration law issues, we’re a resource that’s dedicated to advocacy, integrity, and results.

Contact a Reno Citizenship Lawyer at Smit Law Group Today for Your Initial Consultation

Becoming a U.S. citizen is more than a legal process. It’s a life-changing milestone that provides security for your family. Whether you’re applying through family-based immigration, securing citizenship for your children, or exploring other pathways, Smit Law Group is here to guide you every step of the way.

Let our team help you make your American dream a reality, with experience, integrity, and compassion guiding every step. For help from a naturalization attorney in Reno, NV, contact Smit Law Group online or call 775-993-2235 today.