Do I need a lawyer to apply?

[Wassdeet]

CA

I have lived in the U.S. since 1990 under a permanent Green card and am considering applying for citizenship. I am currently a Canadian citizen. Do I really need a lawyer or can I get the forms and do it myself? As I understand I can remain Canadian and still be a U.S. citizen.

 

[FlyingRon]

I have lived in the U.S. since 1990 under a permanent Green card and am considering applying for citizenship. I am currently a Canadian citizen. Do I really need a lawyer or can I get the forms and do it myself? As I understand I can remain Canadian and still be a U.S. citizen.

If you meet the continual presence requirement, it's straightforward to apply. Read here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.749cabd81f5ffc8fba713d10526e0aa0/?vgnextoid=8e5ca7682e319210VgnVCM10000025e6a00aRCRD&vgnextchannel=8e5ca7682e319210VgnVCM10000025e6a00aRCRD

Your US oath calls you to reject foreign allegiances but obviously that is rarely binding on the foreign government.

 

[Wassdeet]

If you meet the continual presence requirement, it's straightforward to apply.

By continual presence, I have lived in LA same address for 22 years, with 1 or 2 yearly 2-4 week visits to family in Canada and one working trip to Luxembourg for 3 months and 2 weeks in France. Is that continual presence?

 

[FlyingRon]

By continual presence, I have lived in LA same address for 22 years, with 1 or 2 yearly 2-4 week visits to family in Canada and one working trip to Luxembourg for 3 months and 2 weeks in France. Is that continual presence?

All that is explained on the page I linked to (or pages it links to). As long as you've not gone for more than 6 months at a time, visits won't interrupt your continuous presence. You appear to have plenty to apply for naturalization.

 

[Wassdeet]

You appear to have plenty to apply for naturalization.

Yes, I think I would have enough to do it myself... I do owe some back taxes but can deal with that on the N400 application form as I have a payment plan already going as requested.

thanks.