Naturalization Services

The Naturalization program provides citizenship services to legal immigrants who receive public assistance through cash, medical or food assistance programs administered by DSHS.

Becoming a U.S. citizen

Naturalization is how a legal immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen after meeting the federal requirements.  

Citizens can vote, live in the country without fear of deportation, get help from the United States when traveling abroad, and sponsor other family members to come to the United States. Becoming a citizen might also make someone eligible for federal public assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Supplemental Security Income. 

To become a U.S. citizen, a person must learn basic U.S. history and civics and pass a written or oral exam given by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. 

How we can help 

The Naturalization program provides citizenship services to legal immigrants who receive public assistance through cash, medical or food assistance programs administered by DSHS. This includes immigrants who are barred from federal benefits because of their immigration status and who are eligible to naturalize or are within one year of being eligible to naturalize. 

Services

Naturalization services include: 

  • Screening for issues that need to be resolved before applying for naturalization. 

  • Help completing and applying for naturalization (N400). 

  • Help paying the fee when applying for naturalization. 

  • Help paying the fee for fingerprints. 

  • Help completing fee waiver requests. 

  • Training and instruction for the citizenship exam, including classes in American history and civics. 

  • Help with interview preparation. 

  • Help in getting test exemptions such as medical disability or based on age and time living in the U.S. when appropriate. 

  • Help completing and submitting appeals. 

Eligibility 

You might qualify for naturalization services if you are a legal permanent resident who: 

  • Lives in Washington state.       

  • is 18 years or older. 

  • Receives SSI or other DSHS-administered state/federal funded cash, food or medical assistance, or was receiving these benefits at the time you began receiving naturalization services. 

  • Meets the eligibility criteria to apply for U.S. citizenship, including lawful permanent residence status (or you are within one year of being eligible to naturalize). 

Service providers 

View a list of naturalization service providers on our interactive resource tool. 

Questions?
Contact the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance at ORIAinfo@dshs.wa.gov.

Quick Links: 

Department of Homeland Security 

Immigration and Nationality Act 

Social Security 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Special message to people receiving Supplemental Security Income who entered the United States on or after Aug. 22, 1996:

The federal Supplemental Security Income program pays benefits to people who are blind, have a disability or are 65 or older who have limited income and resources.

For refugee adults who entered the United States on or after Aug. 22, 1996, SSI benefits are available for up to seven years, unless a person becomes a U.S. citizen.

Immigrant adults who entered the United States on or after Aug. 22, 1996, also have a seven-year limit, unless they can show they have worked in the United States for 10 years or become a U.S. citizen.

By becoming a citizen, a person can continue to receive their SSI benefits and become eligible for a variety of other public benefits.