U.S. citizenship provides security, the right to vote, increased job opportunities and more. Now's the time to apply. Get trusted legal representation from a recognized non-profit organization to start your application today. 

Upcoming Dates

Register online or by phone (408) 658-9206. We speak Spanish, Hindi, Dari/Farsi, and Pashto.

Se habla español

हम हिंदी बोलते हैं  

من فارسی/دری صحبت میکنم

زه پشتو خبری کولای شم

 

Workshop Details

Three people smiling for a picture while holding citizenship certificates.
IRC clients with their Certificates of Naturalization following the completion of their oath ceremony.
Photo: IRC / Senai

At these workshops, get help to complete your naturalization application (N-400) and a fee waiver (I-912) or reduced fee (I-942) form, if applicable. Your case will be expertly reviewed by a Department of Justice accredited representative. You will also receive help to prepare for the naturalization test, including interview prep and study materials. All services and materials are free.  Registration is required.

Learn more about...

 

Who We Are

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an international non-profit organization founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein. IRC is at work in more than 40 countries and 28 U.S. cities and each year our programs serve 23 million people worldwide. The American Institute of Philanthropy CharityWatch gives the IRC an A+ rating and Charity Navigator awarded the IRC its highest rating. 

Our comprehensive immigration services are available in 23 U.S. cities and are provided by qualified staff accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice. We can provide eligibility consultations, full case management services, and legal representation.

 

Contact Us

IRC in San Jose, 1210 S. Bascom Ave., Suite #227, San Jose, CA 95128

 

Ketaki Srivastava 

*Speaks Hindi  मैं हिंदी बोलती हूँ

Accredited Legal Representative

(408) 277-0255 Ext. 203

[email protected]

 

Emmir Escorcia

*Speaks Spanish. Se habla español. 

Accredited Legal Representative

(408) 277-0255 Ext. 208

[email protected]

 

Kayla Ladd

Community Outreach Specialist

(408) 277-0255 ext 202

[email protected]

 

Benefits of Naturalization

Becoming a U.S. citizen opens the door to many new opportunities. Start your naturalization application today so you can have access to all the privileges and protections that come along with being an American citizen including:

Donna Alberico Bushra smiling for a picture in front of the American Flag.
Forced to flee violence in Iraq, Bushra Naji and her family came to the U.S. in 2008. Five years later with the help of IRC, Bushra became an American citizen.
Photo: IRC / Donna Alberico

Ready to apply? Register to attend a Free Citizenship Workshop. At workshops, IRC will prepare your N-400 application, fill out your fee waiver or reduced fee form (I-912 or I-942, as applicable), and provide you study materials for the naturalization test. At workshops, all legal service fees are waived!

 

Eligibility for Naturalization

In general, individuals may be eligible for citizenship if they:

Depending on your situation, there may be different requirements that may apply. Not sure if you are eligible? Get a consultation at one of our weekly walk-in immigration clinics. 

 

Naturalization Through Military Service

The naturalization requirements may be diminished or waived for qualifying U.S. military service members and certain veterans. Qualifying service is generally in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and certain components of the National Guard and the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve. Spouses and children of military members may also be eligible for expedited or overseas naturalization. Get detailed guidance on naturalization through military service on the USCIS website or contact your local IRC office to receive an eligibility screening.

 

What You Need to Apply

Below is a list of documents and information that you will need in order to complete your N-400 application. To help, IRC has made a citizenship application worksheet that you can fill in and print. 

  1. Your Legal Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card")
  2. Your Social Security Card (or a copy)
  3. Your Driver's license or State-issued ID
  4. List of all trips you took outside of the U.S. since you became a permanent resident
  5. List of all your addresses for the last 5 years (with dates of move in and out)
  6. List of all your employers or schools for the last 5 years (with addresses and dates of starting and ending)
  7. List of all your children (including adopted, missing, deceased, and step children) with current addresses, Alien numbers (if applicable), dates of birth, and countries of birth
  8. List of all your marriages and your current spouse's prior marriages (if applicable), including names of spouses, dates of marriage, and dates of termination of marriage
  9. Information about your parents, if they are U.S. citizens
  10. If you've ever been arrested, been to court, had a conviction, had immigration problems, or traffic violations, bring a list of incidents and obtain your Certified Court Dispositions (or DMV records for traffic offenses)
  11. Payment to USCIS in the correct amount depending on your circumstances and filing type. Calculate your USCIS fees. However, if you receive public assistance such as SSI, Medi-Cal, Cal-Fresh (SNAP/ "Food stamps"), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), CalWORKs, Healthy Families (SCHIP) or your household earns is very low income, you qualify to request a full fee waiver or reduced fee. Learn about fee waivers.
  12. For Fee Waiver or Reduced Fee requests, bring a "Verification of Benefits" or "Notice of Action" letter from the county Department of Human Services or bring proof of low income (recent tax returns and pay stubs for all working members of the household). 

 

Fee Waiver & Reduced Fee Requests

Fee waivers and reduced fee options exist for naturalization applicants. To get help from IRC to determine if you are eligible to apply for a Fee Waiver or Reduced Fee, register for a citizenship workshop.

 

English and Civics Exceptions

You are exempt from the English language requirement if you are age 50 or older and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 20 years (“50/20” exception), or if you are age 55 or older and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (“55/15” exception). If you are age 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years, you may also be given special consideration regarding the civics test.

You may also qualify for an exception from the English language or civics requirements if you have a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment. To request an exception on these grounds, you must submit the Form N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.

 

Naturalization Test Preparation

Many libraries and community organizations offer free U.S. civics classes, mock interview evenings, and ESL classes to help you prepare for the citizenship interview.

 

After You Become a Citizen

Once you're a citizen and have your Certificate of Naturalization, you can apply for your U.S. passport, register to vote, update your Social Security record, obtain a certificate of citizenship for your children, and learn how to sponsor your family members to join you in the U.S.

 

Immigration Consultations

**IMPORTANT NOTE: Consultations are virtual right now in most offices.

Please book a consultation online on our booking website