The key distinction between citizenship and naturalization is that naturalization is the process a non-citizen follows to become a U.S. citizen, whereas citizenship refers to the status of being a member of a country, which can be obtained by birth or naturalization.
While naturalized citizens enjoy the same rights as natural-born citizens, there are key differences in the process, such as eligibility requirements and completing a formal application.
Delaying your naturalization process can postpone your access to essential rights, such as voting rights and family sponsorship. It’s important to evaluate your options promptly and take timely action to secure your status.
If you’re considering naturalization or have questions about U.S. citizenship, contact our citizenship attorney in Miami today to schedule a consultation and get expert guidance tailored to your unique situation.
Is naturalization the same as citizenship?
No, naturalization isn’t the same as citizenship. Naturalized citizens acquire citizenship through a formal process, while natural-born citizens have automatic citizenship, either through birth in the U.S. or by being born to U.S. citizen parents abroad.
Citizen vs naturalized citizen in more detail
What Does Naturalized Citizen Mean
A naturalized citizen is someone born outside the U.S. who has gone through the legal process to obtain U.S. citizenship. On the other hand, a natural-born citizen is someone born in the U.S. or to U.S. citizen parents abroad.
While naturalized and natural-born citizens generally enjoy equal rights and protections under U.S. law, there are a few key differences, such as eligibility for the presidency and potential restrictions on dual citizenship for naturalized citizens.
Additional reading: how to renounce US citizenship
Comparison Table: Naturalized Citizen vs US Citizen
| Aspect | Natural-Born Citizens | Naturalized Citizens |
|---|---|---|
| Method of Acquisition | By birth | Through legal process |
| Revocation of Citizenship | Rare | Possible under specific circumstances |
| Deportation Risk | None | None |
| Rights and Privileges | Full | Full |
| Eligibility for Presidency | Eligible (if born in the U.S.) | Not eligible |
| Jury Duty | Required | Required |
| Voting Rights | Full, immediately at age 18 | Full, after completing naturalization |
| Dual Citizenship | Can hold multiple citizenships | May face restrictions, depending on the country |
Pathways to U.S. citizenship for a natural-born citizen vs a naturalized citizen
Birthright citizenship (natural-born citizens)
- Jus soli: Citizenship is granted to anyone born within U.S. territory, including U.S. territories and military bases abroad. You can verify this through the U.S. Department of State’s page on nationality, which outlines the requirements and details for jus soli.
- Jus sanguinis: Citizenship is granted to children born outside the U.S. if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen.
Naturalization (naturalized citizens)
Eligibility criteria:
- Residency duration: Typically, 5 years of lawful permanent residency (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
- Language proficiency: Ability to speak, read, and write basic English.
- Knowledge of U.S. history and government: Passing a civics test on U.S. history, laws, and structure.
- Moral character: Demonstrating good moral character during the residency period is key to eligibility.
Application process:
- Form N-400: The application for naturalization is filed with USCIS.
- Biometrics appointment: Fingerprints and photographs are taken for background checks.
- Interview and oath ceremony: Applicants must attend an interview and, if approved, take the Oath of Allegiance to become a U.S. citizen.
💡 Key takeaway: The naturalization process is thorough, but it ensures that new citizens are well-integrated into U.S. society, with knowledge of history, language, and government.
Rights and responsibilities of a naturalized citizen vs citizen
Naturalized and natural-born citizens share many rights and responsibilities, including voting rights, eligibility for federal employment, and protection under U.S. laws. Both groups have equal access to essential services and legal protections provided by the U.S. government.
However, there are important differences, particularly regarding eligibility for the presidency. Only natural-born citizens can run for president, while naturalized citizens are excluded from this role.
Additionally, while revocation of citizenship is rare for natural-born citizens, it is possible for naturalized citizens under certain circumstances, such as committing fraud during the naturalization process.
Additional reading: citizenship through marriage
Revocation of U.S. citizen vs naturalized citizen
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand the difference between revocation and renunciation.
- Revocation refers to the loss of citizenship by the government, typically through a legal process such as denaturalization. This applies to naturalized citizens and can occur due to fraud, criminal activity, or other serious violations.
- Renunciation, on the other hand, is when a citizen voluntarily gives up their citizenship. This only applies to natural-born citizens, as they cannot be revoked unless they renounce their citizenship intentionally.
Revocation for naturalized citizens
A naturalized U.S. citizen can lose their citizenship through a legal process called denaturalization. The U.S. government can pursue this process under certain conditions, including:
- Fraud or misrepresentation: If the individual lied or falsified information on theirnaturalization application, such as hiding a criminal history or providing false residence duration.
- Involvement in certain crimes: If a person engages in serious offenses like war crimes, terrorism, or human rights violations, either before or after becoming a U.S. citizen.
- Membership in certain groups: If a person was found to be involved with organizations such as Nazi groups or those associated with genocide during their naturalization process.
- Refusing to testify in court: If a naturalized citizen refuses to testify during acongressional investigation related to subversive activities within 10 years of becoming a U.S. citizen.
⚠️ Denaturalization is rare but significant. If successful, a person may not only lose their citizenship but also face deportation to their country of origin.
Revocation for natural-born citizens
Unlike naturalized citizens, a natural-born citizen cannot lose their citizenship unless they voluntarily renounce it. This means that renunciation is the only way for a natural-born citizen to lose U.S. citizenship.
A natural-born citizen can voluntarily renounce their citizenship at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, but the process is permanent and cannot be undone unless under extreme circumstances, such as fraud or coercion.
Deportation risk for a naturalized citizen vs a natural-born citizen
When it comes to deportation, it’s important to remember that it generally applies to non-citizens, such as green card holders, visa holders, or undocumented immigrants. However, in some cases, naturalized citizens may also face deportation if they lose their citizenship. Let’s break down the scenarios for naturalized citizens and green card holders.
Can a naturalized citizen be deported?
Once a person has been naturalized, they cannot be deported, except in cases where their citizenship is revoked through denaturalization. If a naturalized citizen is found to have gained citizenship through fraud or committed serious crimes, they could face the revocation of their citizenship. Once their citizenship is revoked, they revert to their previous immigration status, which could leave them vulnerable to deportation.
Deportation for green card holders (permanent residents)
Green card holders, also known as permanent residents, have more vulnerabilities when it comes to deportation. They can be deported if they:
- Commit serious crimes, such as drug trafficking, aggravated felonies, or fraud.
- Engage in immigration fraud (e.g., submitting false documents or misrepresenting their status).
- Fail to meet residency requirements, such as staying outside the U.S. for extended periods without a valid reentry permit.
Pros and cons of citizenship vs naturalization
When comparing natural-born citizens to naturalized citizens, several key differences and similarities affect their rights, responsibilities, and vulnerabilities. Knowing these factors can help you assess the benefits and potential challenges of both paths to U.S. citizenship.
Below is a comparison table that outlines these important distinctions:
| Factor | Natural-Born Citizens | Naturalized Citizens |
|---|---|---|
| Path to Citizenship | Automatic by birth | Must complete naturalization process |
| Eligibility for Presidency | ✔️ Yes | ❌ No |
| Risk of Revocation | ❌ None | ⚠️ Possible if denaturalized |
| Deportation Risk | ❌ None | 🚨 Possible if denaturalized |
| Voting Rights | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| U.S. Passport & Travel Benefits | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| Family Sponsorship | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
Certificate of citizenship vs. certificate of naturalization
The Certificate of Citizenship and the Certificate of Naturalization are both official documents issued by USCIS, but they are given to different groups of individuals and serve different purposes. Below is a comparison of the key differences between the two:
| Factor | Certificate of Citizenship | Certificate of Naturalization |
|---|---|---|
| Who Gets It? | Individuals who acquire U.S. citizenship at birth or through parents | Individuals who become citizens through naturalization |
| Issued By | USCIS, after filing Form N-600 | USCIS, after completing the naturalization process |
| How Citizenship Was Obtained? | Birthright citizenship (born abroad to U.S. citizen parents) or acquired citizenship | Naturalization after meeting residency & eligibility requirements |
| When is It Given? | Upon request, after submitting proof of citizenship | After taking the Oath of Allegiance |
| Replacement Fee | $1,170 (Form N-600) | $555 (Form N-565) |
1. Certificate of Citizenship: Who needs it?
The Certificate of Citizenship is issued to individuals who did not go through the naturalization process but gained U.S. citizenship through other means. This includes those who were born abroad to U.S. citizen parents (Jus Sanguinis) or those who automatically acquired citizenship as minors when their parents naturalized.
Example: Maria was born in Mexico, but her parents became U.S. citizens before she turned 18. Because of this, she automatically acquired U.S. citizenship, but she needs to apply for aCertificate of Citizenship to prove her status.
2. Certificate of Naturalization: Who needs it?
The Certificate of Naturalization is given to individuals who have completed the naturalization process. It serves as official documentation of their U.S. citizenship.
Example: Ahmed immigrated to the U.S., obtained a green card, and later went through the naturalization process. After taking theOath of Allegiance, he received his Certificate of Naturalization as proof of his new citizenship.
3. Which certificate do you need?
If you were born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, you would need to apply for the Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) to prove your U.S. citizenship.
On the other hand, if you became aU.S. citizen through naturalization, you would receive a Certificate of Naturalization after completing the naturalization process and taking the Oath of Allegiance.
4. Can you lose either certificate?
Losing your Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization does not mean you lose your U.S. citizenship. However, if you lose one of these documents, you will need to apply for a replacement by filing the appropriate forms and paying the associated fees.
- To replace a Certificate of Citizenship, file Form N-600, which costs $1,170.
- To replace a Certificate of Naturalization, file Form N-565, which costs $555.
💡Pro tip: To prevent the hassle of replacing a lost certificate, keep your original document in a safe place. Avoid laminating it (as some agencies reject laminated documents) and consider storing certified copies as backups.
Which is right for you? What are your options?
Deciding whether to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization is a personal choice that depends on your circumstances. Below are some factors to help you evaluate whether naturalization is the right path for you, as well as alternatives if you choose not to naturalize.
How to decide if naturalization is right for you
If you’re a green card holder (permanent resident), here’s when you should consider applying for U.S. citizenship through naturalization:
- You meet the continuous residency requirement (usually 5 years, or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
- You want full rights and protections, including the right to vote.
- You want to avoid deportation risks that apply to green card holders.
- You want to sponsor more family members for U.S. visas.
- You are prepared to meet the eligibility criteria, including residency, language proficiency, and civics knowledge.
Who might NOT want to naturalize?
Naturalization may not be the best option if:
- You don’t meet the eligibility requirements (e.g., criminal record, failed English/civics test).
- You have strong ties to another country that doesn’t allow dual citizenship (e.g., China, India).
- You are not comfortable with the application fees (around $640 + $85 biometric fee).
We highly recommend contacting us if you have a criminal record to find out your options.
For instance, if you are on record within 5 years of applying, it’s an automatic “no” and you must wait. However, some misdemeanors do not apply, depending on state law. Drug trafficking is a red flag at any time.
Your options if you don’t naturalize
If you decide not to pursue naturalization, you still have some options:
- Stay a permanent resident: You can keep your green card but be aware of the risks, such as losing residency if you leave the U.S. for too long.
- Apply for citizenship later: Some applicants prefer to wait until they feel fully prepared for the interview and civics test.
Reach out to Yolanda Mendoza for tailored advice to your situation
The path to U.S. citizenship can be complex, and every individual’s situation is unique. At Yolanda Mendoza Law, we offer personalized guidance to ensure you make the right decision based on your circumstances.
Whether you’re considering naturalization, evaluating your eligibility, or facing complications, we are here to provide expert advice every step of the way.
Don’t go through this process alone—our team is ready to support you through every aspect of your immigration journey. Call us on (305) 419-3334 or schedule a consultation and take the first step towards achieving your goals with confidence.
FAQs
Are you a citizen if you are naturalized?
Yes, once you complete the naturalization process, you become a U.S. citizen with full rights and protections. This includes the ability to vote, work, and live in the U.S. without restriction, just like a natural-born citizen.
Do naturalized citizens get a U.S. passport?
Yes, after naturalization, a U.S. passport is issued to citizens. This allows them to travel internationally and enjoy the rights and benefits associated with being a U.S. citizen, including consular protection while abroad.
Do naturalized citizens have to give up citizenship?
Naturalized citizens do not have to give up citizenship unless they voluntarily renounce it. However, some countries may require individuals to give up their previous citizenship when naturalizing in the U.S. It’s important tocheck specific country laws regarding dual citizenship.
Which is better, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization?
Neither certificate is inherently better than the other; it depends on your circumstances. A Certificate of Citizenship proves U.S. citizenship for those born abroad or through parents, while a Certificate of Naturalization is issued to those who complete the naturalization process.