Citizenship Lawyer Florida | N-400 Naturalization | Fitenko Law

U.S. citizenship lawyer in Florida — N-400 naturalization, eligibility, interview prep, civics test. Bilingual EN/RU. Flat-fee. (305) 315-3425.

U.S. Citizenship Lawyer Serving Florida — N-400 Naturalization Attorney

Quick answer: Fitenko Law represents lawful permanent residents pursuing U.S. citizenship through the N-400 naturalization process across Florida and nationwide. We handle eligibility assessment, application preparation, supporting documentation, USCIS interview rehearsal (English and civics test), and attorney representation at the naturalization interview at the Miami USCIS Field Office. Bilingual EN/RU. Flat-fee structure. Initial consultation. Last updated 2026-05-16.

U.S. Citizenship Eligibility — The Five-Year and Three-Year Rules

Most lawful permanent residents become eligible to file Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) when they have:

• Five years as a lawful permanent resident, OR
• Three years as a lawful permanent resident if the green card was obtained through marriage to a U.S. citizen and the applicant remains married to and living with that U.S. citizen spouse

You may file N-400 up to 90 days before reaching the required anniversary date.

Additional N-400 Requirements

1. Continuous residence — Maintained continuous lawful permanent residence for the required period (5 or 3 years) immediately before filing.
2. Physical presence — At least half of the required period physically inside the U.S. (30 months for 5-year applicants; 18 months for 3-year applicants).
3. State residence — Lived in the state where you file for at least 3 months before filing.
4. Good moral character — During the statutory period; certain offenses (aggravated felonies, certain misdemeanors) can permanently or temporarily disqualify.
5. English language — Basic ability to read, write, and speak English (with limited exemptions for elderly long-term residents).
6. Civics knowledge — Pass a civics test covering U.S. history and government (10 of 20 questions from a study list of 100).
7. Attachment to the Constitution — Demonstrated willingness to support and defend the U.S. Constitution.
8. Selective Service registration — Required for males who lived in the U.S. between ages 18-26 (with specific status requirements).

The N-400 Process — Step by Step

1. Eligibility consultation — Confirm 5-year / 3-year qualification; review continuous residence and physical presence; identify any red flags (criminal history, tax issues, prolonged international travel).
2. Application filing — Form N-400 with supporting documents and government fee ($760 currently).
3. Biometrics appointment — Typically 4-8 weeks after filing, at the local Application Support Center.
4. USCIS interview — Typically 8-14 months after filing, conducted at the Miami USCIS Field Office for South Florida applicants. Includes English test, civics test, and N-400 form review.
5. Oath of Allegiance ceremony — Final step. The applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance and becomes a U.S. citizen.

Total typical timeline: 8-14 months from filing to oath ceremony.

Citizenship Lawyer Fees in Florida

• $1,500-$2,500 — Standard N-400 representation: eligibility analysis, application preparation, supporting documents organization, civics test rehearsal, USCIS interview preparation, attorney representation at interview.
• $2,500-$4,500 — Complex N-400 cases: extended international travel patterns, criminal history requiring strategic disclosure, prior immigration complications, tax issues, prior N-400 denial.

Government fees: N-400 filing fee currently $760 (paper) or $710 (online). Fee waivers available for low-income applicants.

When You Should Consult a Citizenship Lawyer (vs. Self-Filing)

Many lawful permanent residents successfully file N-400 themselves. We recommend attorney representation when any of the following applies:

• Extended international travel — Trips of 6 months or longer (presumed break in continuous residence) or trips of 1 year or longer (definitive break unless N-470 was filed beforehand).
• Criminal record — Any arrest, conviction, or pending charge, however old.
• Tax issues — Unfiled tax returns, tax debt, or IRS payment plans.
• Prior immigration violations — Prior visa overstays, prior denials, prior removal orders.
• Selective Service compliance issues — Males who lived in the U.S. between 18-26 without registering.
• Public benefits use — Use of certain means-tested public benefits during the statutory period.
• Foreign-language barriers — Limited English proficiency (we coordinate exemption analysis and special accommodation requests).
• Prior N-400 denial — Strategic refiling requires careful analysis of the prior denial basis.

Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Citizenship

How long does the N-400 process take?

Currently 8-14 months from filing to oath ceremony for most Florida applicants. Processing times vary by USCIS field office workload.

Can I keep my original citizenship after becoming a U.S. citizen?

U.S. law permits dual citizenship. Whether you can keep your original citizenship depends on the laws of your country of origin. Many countries (Russia, Canada, UK, Israel, Mexico, France, Italy, and most EU countries) permit dual citizenship with the U.S. Some countries (China, India, Japan, and certain others) require renunciation of original citizenship upon naturalization elsewhere.

What happens if I fail the English or civics test?

USCIS gives a second opportunity at a follow-up interview, typically 60-90 days later. Failing both attempts results in N-400 denial. We provide comprehensive interview preparation, including English-language rehearsal and civics test review.

Can a criminal record disqualify me from citizenship?

Some offenses (murder, drug trafficking, aggravated felonies) are permanent bars. Others temporarily extend the good-moral-character period. Many minor offenses do not affect eligibility. Every criminal record requires individual analysis — we evaluate this during the consultation before any engagement letter.

Will my taxes be reviewed during the N-400 process?

USCIS routinely asks about tax compliance during the naturalization interview. Unfiled returns, tax debt, or IRS payment plans should be addressed before filing. We coordinate with tax professionals when needed.

Can I file N-400 if I've been outside the U.S. for an extended period?

Trips of 6 months or longer create a presumption of broken continuous residence; trips of 1 year or longer are a definitive break (unless N-470 was filed beforehand to preserve residence). We analyze travel patterns during consultation to confirm eligibility.

Do you offer citizenship consultations in Russian?

Yes. Attorney Ekaterina Fitenko is fluent in Russian. Russian-speaking long-term LPRs pursuing U.S. citizenship form a meaningful share of our naturalization practice. Bilingual representation is particularly valuable for civics test rehearsal — practicing both in English (for the actual test) and Russian (for comprehension and confidence).