New Citizen Program
Get Free Help Applying for Citizenship
Our democracy and communities are stronger when we have an inclusive and engaged citizenry. Immigrants who become U.S. citizens gain substantial rights and access to benefits, including the right to vote and run for office, protection from deportation, providing citizenship for their children, and the ability to petition for family members living abroad to join them in the United States. Economically, naturalization is linked to increased wages, higher rates of home ownership, and expanded employment opportunities, leading to increased spending power and tax revenue to boost the local Seattle economy. While an estimated 249,223 residents of the Seattle metro area are eligible to become citizens, a lack of access to support with legal advice, preparing for the citizenship interview, and the application fees prevents many eligible immigrants from applying for citizenship.
The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs’ (OIRA) New Citizen Program (NCP) partners with ten community-based organizations throughout King County to promote naturalization and assist eligible community members to become U.S. citizens. We are committed to serving low-income immigrants and refugees who face the greatest challenges to gaining U.S. citizenship because of significant barriers related to age, disability, limited-English proficiency, and low-literacy – an approach which requires more resources, expertise, and capacity.
Contact any of these organizations offering free citizenship assistance:
The New Citizen Program partners with ten community-based organizations located throughout Seattle and King County to help low-income immigrants and refugees become U.S. citizens. In the program, you will be assigned a case manager who will help you navigate the whole citizenship process. NCP services include:
- Preparation and filing of the citizenship application form (N-400)
- Assistance preparing a fee waiver or reduced fee request, if eligible
- Help determining if you are qualified for a disability waiver and support to work with your doctor to obtain and submit the required paperwork
- Practicing citizenship interviews
- Citizenship classes or tutoring to practice English and the 100 civics questions
- Full legal representation and case management
Services are available in a wide range of languages. Some NCP organizations are offering services by phone or video, in addition to in-person.
Contact any of the organizations in the list below to find out more information about getting help with your citizenship application, citizenship classes, and other helpful services.
Download our latest NCP flier.
| AGENCY | CONTACT | LANGUAGE CAPACITIES |
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Xiangping Chen |
Cantonese |
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Kasey Rackowitz |
Somali |
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Cory Ihrig Goldhaber |
Italian |
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Mihaela Sandu |
Korean Moldavian Romanian Russian |
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6 locations throughout Seattle and South King County |
Marissa Graff |
Amharic |
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Natasha El-Sergany |
Arabic |
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Yasamin Attar Olyaee |
Arabic |
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Karla Villa |
Spanish |
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Patrick Suhrbier |
Spanish |
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Irina Pilipchuk |
Polish |
Download our latest NCP flier.
Funding for the New Citizen Program is provided by the City of Seattle, Seattle Housing Authority, and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Citizenshipworks is a free online service that can help you apply for citizenship:
Citizenshipworks is a free online service that is a collaboration between trusted nonprofit immigration service providers. The website and app function similarly to TurboTax. The platform will help you check your eligibility, complete the citizenship application, tell you about any potential problems with your application, and connect you to an expert for help. They also tell you what other documents you will need to submit and what to expect after you apply.
If you can afford assistance, consider hiring an attorney:
American Immigration Lawyers Association - Lawyer Search
AILA is the legal association in the U.S. for immigration attorneys. You can find an AILA lawyer who may be able to help you apply for citizenship using their search page.
Notario Fraud Warning
Some misuse the titles "notario publico" or "immigration consultant." They will try to deceive you into believing that they are experts on immigration law and have permission to give you legal advice about your immigration case when they do not.
Notario público advertencia de fraude
Utilizan el título de "notario público" o "consultor de comunicación", cuando en realidad no lo son. Intentarán hacerle creer queson expertos en ley de inmigración y que están cualificados para darle consejo legal cuando no es así.
Banner photo credit: Alabastro Photography.