Get Free Help Applying for Citizenship

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

• Citizenshipworks is a free website that offers online help if you are tech savvy and want to apply on your own time.
• Receive free help online at a Citizenship Clinic, 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.
• Can you afford an immigration attorney? If yes, you can find one here.
• Explore detailed information about the naturalization process.
• Learn about the latest naturalization statistics.

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.

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.

Online Citizenship Clinics offer free naturalization assistance:

You may be able to receive FREE assistance at a virtual 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 with some limited in-person services.

You may also be eligible for a fee waiver, which allows you to file your citizenship application for free. If you are not eligible, you will receive information about low-interest loans to pay for the naturalization application processing fee. The 2022 clinic calendar is coming soon! Check here for updates.

In the meantime, Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) is sponsoring monthly citizenship clinics. To make an appointment, follow this link: bit.ly/acrs-virtual-clinic-signmeup or for more information, call (253) 256-1948 or email: marcosv@acrs.org.

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.

Contact any of these organizations offering free naturalization assistance:

Can't make it to a citizenship clinic? Need help preparing for the English and citizenship exams? Consider attending a class or accessing one-on-one help with a New Citizen Program (NCP) organization.

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). Currently, most NCP organizations are offering services via phone or video, in addition to in-person.

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 list below to find out more information about citizenship classes, other helpful services, and one-on-one help near you. Note that some organizations provide most or all citizenship-related services remotely.

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.

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.

Naturalization Statistics from Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2021

• 808,000 new citizens (up from 625,400 during FFY 2020)
• Closer to FFY 2019's 843,593 naturalized citizens, which was the highest in 11 years
• 35% of naturalized citizens were from these five countries: Mexico (13.3%), India (7.7%), Philippines (5.3%), Cuba (5.0%), and China (3.7%)
• 71% resided in 10 states: California, Florida, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, and Virginia
• 40% were 30-44 years old and 18% were younger than 30 years old
• 55.7% of naturalized citizens were women

Source: National Partnership for New Americans

For more information on naturalization data, see our Data page here.

Banner photo credit: Alabastro Photography.