Become a Citizen
City of Boston
Becoming a United States citizen is a very important decision. In Boston alone, 1 in 10 residents is a naturalized citizen and about 30,000 Boston residents are eligible for U.S. citizenship. The City of Boston Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement encourages people to become citizens because there are several benefits, including:
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Boston.gov
U.S. citizens have several rights, including:

Right to Vote: Only citizens can vote in federal elections.

Freedom of Travel: U.S. citizens can travel outside of the country for as long and as often as they like without fear of affecting their immigration status.

Bring family members to the U.S.: Citizens can petition for certain family members to join them in the U.S.

Safety and Security: Citizens cannot be deported.

International Protection: The U.S. protects citizens abroad through embassies and consulates.

Job Opportunities: Some jobs with the U.S. federal government require U.S. citizenship.

Become an elected official: Only citizens can run for federal office (U.S. Senate or House of Representatives) and for most state and local offices.

Obtain citizenship for children under 18 years of age: Children under the age of 18 may become citizens when their parent naturalizes.

Become eligible for federal grants and scholarships: Many financial aid grants, including college scholarships and funds given by the government for specific purposes, are available only to U.S. citizens.

Serve on a jury: Only U.S. citizens can perform the civic duty of serving on a jury.

Common Questions

Common Questions

Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship?

Does receiving public benefits affect my ability to apply for citizenship?

(for example: MassHealth, food stamps/EBT, and SSI)

What are the English and civics tests?

During your naturalization interview, you will also take the English and civics tests.

English test:

The English test has three parts: reading, writing, and speaking.

For the reading and writing portions, you must correctly read and write one sentence.

For the speaking portion, a USCIS officer will ask you questions from the N-400 and assess your responses.

Civics test:

During the civics test, you will be asked 10 questions out of 100 possible questions on U.S. civics and history.

If you are 65 or older you can take a simpler test, with 10 questions drawn from a pool of only 20 questions.

All applicants must answer six questions correctly to pass the test.

What happens if I fail one of or both tests?

How many times can I apply for citizenship?

How can I check the status of my citizenship application?

Are there special naturalization steps and rules for U.S. military personnel?

When can I register to vote?

When can I sponsor a green card for a family member?