Get Free Help Applying for Citizenship

Jump to a specific section to learn more about your options for assistance:

• Receive free help at a Citizenship Clinic, where you can consult with an immigration attorney.
• Receive one-on-one legal advice, assistance with your citizenship application, and help studying for the citizenship test from these Seattle area community-based organizations.
• Citizenshipworks is a free website that offers online help if you are tech savvy and want to apply on your own time.
• Can you afford an immigration attorney? If yes, you can find one here, but beware of notario fraud.

Citizenshipworks is a free online service that can help you apply for citizenship:

Citizenshipworks is a free online service that is a collaboration between trusted nonprofit immigration service providers. The website and app function similarly to TurboTax. The platform will help you check your eligibility, complete the citizenship application, tell you about any potential problems with your application, and connect you to an expert for help. They also tell you what other documents you will need to submit and what to expect after you apply.

Start here: www.citizenshipworks.org.

NOTE: You may have heard of other online platforms similar to Citizenshipworks that are paid services. Expect to pay a one-time fee in the range of $300 to $800, depending on the company and on the service. These platforms are relatively new, and we are unable to endorse any particular company. Instead, we recommend you do your own research regarding which paid online service is right for you.

Online Citizenship Clinics offer free naturalization assistance:

You may be able to receive FREE assistance at a virtual citizenship clinic!

A citizenship clinic is a free event where volunteer attorneys, interpreters, and others assist eligible green card holders with completing their N-400 naturalization application. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs administers these clinics in partnership with local community organizations through the New Citizen Campaign. All clinics are currently offering free help via phone or video calls with some limited in-person services.

You may also be eligible for a fee waiver, which allows you to file your citizenship application for free. If you are not eligible, you will receive information about low-interest loans to pay for the naturalization application processing fee.

Sponsored by OIRA, the New Citizen Campaign is an effort to help the tens of thousands of Seattle legal permanent residents (LPRs) become U.S. citizens. This campaign utilizes citizenship clinics, outreach and education, citizenship curriculum and legal assistance, and engagement with local and national partners to achieve our goal of naturalizing the over 75,000 LPRs living in the Seattle/King County area.

Contact any of these organizations offering free citizenship assistance:

The New Citizen Program (NCP) partners with 10 community-based organizations located through Seattle and King County to help low-income immigrants and refugees become US citizens.

In the program, you will be assigned a case manager who will help you navigate the whole citizenship process. Services include:

• Preparation and filing of the citizenship application form (N-400)
• Assistance preparing a fee waiver or reduced fee application (if eligible)
• Help determining if you are qualified for a disability waiver and support to work with your doctor to obtain and submit the required paperwork
• Interview practice to prepare for your citizenship interview
• Citizenship classes or tutoring to practice English and the 100 civics questions
• Full legal representation and case management

Services are available in a wide range of languages. Most NCP organizations are offering services by phone or video, in addition to in-person.

Contact any of the organizations in the list below to find out more information about getting help with your citizenship application, citizenship classes, other helpful services.

Download our NCP flier here.

Funding for the New Citizen Program is provided by the City of Seattle, Seattle Housing Authority, and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

If you can afford assistance, consider hiring an attorney:

American Immigration Lawyers Association - Lawyer Search
AILA is the legal association in the U.S. for immigration attorneys. You can find an AILA lawyer who may be able to help you apply for citizenship using their search page.

Notario Fraud Warning
Some misuse the titles "notario publico" or "immigration consultant." They will try to deceive you into believing that they are experts on immigration law and have permission to give you legal advice about your immigration case when they do not.

Notario público advertencia de fraude
Utilizan el título de "notario público" o "consultor de comunicación", cuando en realidad no lo son. Intentarán hacerle creer queson expertos en ley de inmigración y que están cualificados para darle consejo legal cuando no es así.

Banner photo credit: Alabastro Photography.