Get Help Applying for U.S. Citizenship

Jump to a specific section to learn more about your options for assistance:

• Learn more about Citizenship Clinics, events (now happening remotely) where you can consult with an immigration attorney.
• These Seattle area community-based organizations can answer eligibility questions or help you with a disability waiver.
• Citizenshipworks is a free website that offers online help if you are tech savvy and want to apply on your own time.
• Can you afford an immigration attorney?
  If yes, you can find one here.
• Explore detailed information about the naturalization process.
• Interested in volunteering to help people apply for citizenship? First, you need to sign up.

Monthly Citizenship Clinics offer free naturalization assistance:

You may be able to receive FREE assistance at a remote citizenship clinic!

A citizenship clinic is a free event where volunteer attorneys, interpreters, and others assist eligible green card holders with completing their N-400 naturalization application. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs administers these clinics in partnership with local community organizations through the New Citizen Campaign. During this COVID-19 pandemic, all clinics will be offering free help via phone or video calls.

You will also be able to receive information about low-interest loans to pay for the naturalization application processing fee or help completing a fee waiver application. The clinic appointment schedule tends to fill up quickly. So, call to schedule a time slot today!

The next citizenship clinic is taking place in May and is sponsored by Entre Hermanos and International Rescue Committee. Learn more here. Or to make an appointment, call (206) 538-0167, (English or Spanish) or (971) 260-6491, (English and other languages).

The New Citizen Campaign is an effort to help the tens of thousands of Seattle legal permanent residents (LPRs) become U.S. citizens. This campaign utilizes citizenship clinics, outreach and education, citizenship curriculum and legal assistance, and engagement with local and national partners to achieve our goal of naturalizing the over 75,000 LPRs living in the Seattle/King County area.

Visit any of these organizations offering free naturalization assistance:

Can't make it to a Saturday morning citizenship clinic? Consider attending an online class or accessing one-on-one remote help with a New Citizen Program (NCP) organization. NCP is a component of the New Citizen Campaign (see above).

NCP organizations provide free naturalization services to eligible immigrants and refugees. Located throughout Seattle and King County, NCP organizations provide legal assistance, including the preparation and filing of immigration applications and waivers, to low-income clients, including many who are elderly, illiterate, or have limited English skills. Organizations also provide citizenship instruction/tutoring, interview preparation, and referrals for particularly complex cases. Services are available in a wide range of languages (see below).

The community-based NCP organizations listed below administer these services in partnership with the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.

Contact a staff member in the table below to find out more information about citizenship classes, other helpful services, and one-on-one help near you:

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 tell you about any potential problems with your application and connect you to an expert for help, either online or in person. They also tell you what other documents you will need to submit, and what to expect after you apply.

Start here: www.citizenshipworks.org.

NOTE: You may have heard of other online platforms similar to Citizenshipworks that are paid services. Expect to pay a one-time fee in the range of $300 to $800, depending on the company and on the service. These platforms are relatively new, and we are unable to endorse any particular company. Instead, we recommend you do your own research regarding which paid online service is right for you.

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.