Naturalization and U.S. Citizenship Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
U.S. Citizenship
Naturalization: The Last Step in Your Immigration Journey
For most permanent residents, becoming a U.S. citizen is the goal that made every earlier step worth it. Naturalization brings the right to vote, a U.S. passport, protection from deportation, and the ability to petition for more family members. The application, Form N-400, is also the moment when USCIS takes one last, careful look at your entire history, which is why a clean, well-prepared filing matters so much.
At Lozano Law Firm, naturalization cases are guided by Alfredo Lozano, one of the few Texas attorneys Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law. Our bilingual team helps permanent residents across San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo apply with confidence, especially when travel history, taxes, or old records could raise questions. Begin with a free consultation.
Real Clients, Real Testimonials
Gracias por el excelente trabajo y por la tranquilidad que me han dado durante este proceso. Sin duda los recomendaría a familiares y amigos que necesiten un abogado de inmigración.
Who Qualifies for U.S. Citizenship
Most applicants naturalize under a familiar set of rules, but the details decide the case. Before we file, we confirm each requirement against your actual record.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
You generally must be at least 18, a lawful permanent resident for five years (or three years if you have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen the whole time), and physically present in the United States for at least half of that period. You also need continuous residence, good moral character, and the ability to pass an English and a civics test. Certain military applicants qualify under different and faster rules through our military immigration practice.
The English and Civics Tests
At the interview you will read and write in English and answer questions from the list of 100 civics topics. Applicants who are older and have been residents for many years may qualify for an exemption, and those with a qualifying medical condition can request a disability waiver on Form N-648. We tell you early which rules apply to you so there are no surprises.
Good Moral Character and Common Red Flags
USCIS reviews the statutory period and sometimes beyond for issues that affect good moral character, including certain crimes, failure to file taxes, missed child support, and false claims to citizenship. Some issues are permanent bars, others are temporary. This is the area where an honest review before filing protects you most.
Continuous Residence and Travel
Long trips abroad can break the continuous residence the law requires. A single absence of six months or more can create a presumption that you gave up residence, and a year or more usually breaks it outright. If you travel often or have spent long periods outside the country, we map your trips before filing.
Our Process
What to Expect
Free Case Evaluation
We start with a no-cost consultation to review your situation, explain your options, and identify the strongest path forward for your family.
Case Preparation
Our team assembles your petition with the documentation and evidence USCIS expects, prepared accurately the first time to avoid delays.
Filing & Follow-Through
We file, track deadlines, respond to USCIS, and prepare you for every interview until your case is resolved.
The Naturalization Process, Step by Step
The path from application to oath is well defined. After we file Form N-400 and the fee, USCIS issues a receipt, takes your biometrics, and schedules an interview at a field office, usually San Antonio for our clients.
At the interview, an officer reviews your application under oath and administers the English and civics tests. If everything is in order, the case is approved and you are scheduled for the oath of allegiance, sometimes the same day. From filing to oath commonly takes several months to a year depending on the field office, and current estimates are always worth checking. We prepare every client for the interview so the questions, and the tests, feel familiar rather than intimidating.
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Lozano Law Firm
Hire a Board-Certified Immigration Attorney
Attorney Alfredo Lozano is Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and since founding the firm in 2006 he has brought a Marine Corps veteran's discipline, more than 20 years of immigration experience, and a fully bilingual team to every case the firm handles.
Our approach combines personalized counsel with the documentation rigor these cases demand, so your petition is prepared correctly the first time. Board Certification means the state has independently verified his experience, tested his knowledge, and confirmed his standing among peers, which is the kind of assurance that matters when your family's future is on the line.
Meet
Our Team
Our team includes experienced attorneys, legal professionals, and client-care specialists who share a common commitment: making the immigration process as clear and manageable as possible for every family we serve.
Alfredo Lozano
Managing Attorney
Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law and a Marine Corps veteran who leads every case strategy.
Linda Hamilton
Attorney
Guides families and employers through petitions, waivers, and interviews with steady, detailed advocacy.
Minerva Gonzalez
Legal Assistant
Prepares documentation and keeps every case organized, accurate, and moving forward.
Mayra Juarez
Legal Administrator
Coordinates case management and client communication across our three Texas offices.
Download Our Free E-Book
How to Obtain Residency If You Are in the U.S. Illegally
Entering the country without inspection does not always close the door to a green card. Our free guide walks through the options that may apply, from Section 245(i) and Military Parole in Place to the I-601A provisional waiver, in plain language.
Download the guide to understand the paths that could be available to your family, then contact us for advice on your specific situation.
Citizenship Help in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo
We prepare naturalization cases for permanent residents throughout South and West Texas, in English and Spanish. Most of our clients interview at the USCIS San Antonio Field Office, and we know how those interviews are run. For clients who split time across the border or travel frequently for work, we pay special attention to continuous residence before filing. Every case begins with a free, no-obligation consultation.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Request Your Free Consultation
Tell us about your family's situation and our bilingual team will reach out to schedule your free case evaluation.
Naturalization and Citizenship FAQs
How soon after getting my green card can I apply for citizenship?
Most permanent residents can apply after five years. If you obtained your green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen and you are still married to and living with that citizen, you can usually apply after three years. You may file up to 90 days before reaching the required time.
What happens if I fail the English or civics test?
You get a second chance. If you do not pass a portion of the test at the first interview, USCIS reschedules you to be retested on the failed portion, usually within 60 to 90 days. Thorough preparation, which we provide, makes this rare.
Can I keep my other citizenship?
The United States allows dual citizenship, so naturalizing does not require you to formally give up another nationality as far as U.S. law is concerned. Whether your home country allows it is a separate question governed by that country's law. Many of our clients hold both U.S. and another citizenship.
Will a criminal record stop me from becoming a citizen?
It depends on the offense and the timing. Some crimes are permanent bars, some bar you only during the statutory period, and many minor issues do not bar you at all but must be disclosed correctly. Never file without disclosing your full record, and never file without advice if you have any criminal history.
How long does naturalization take?
From filing Form N-400 to taking the oath commonly runs several months to about a year, depending on the field office workload. Because times shift, we check current USCIS estimates for your office and keep your case moving at each step.
Lozano Law Firm
Cases We Do Not Handle
Lozano Law Firm focuses exclusively on the practice areas listed above. We do not handle asylum, criminal immigration, or standalone DACA applications. When clients come to us with needs outside our scope, we refer them to trusted colleagues who specialize in those areas. Our referral network includes attorneys who handle asylum claims and criminal immigration consequences, so every person who contacts us receives direction toward the right help.
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Start Your Journey Today
Immigration goals should not wait. Whether you are exploring your options for the first time or ready to move forward with a case, our team is here to help. Contact Lozano Law Firm for a free case evaluation and let us put our Board-Certified expertise to work for you.
Schedule your free case evaluation today.
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