Des Plaines Citizenship Lawyer

Are you looking for a citizenship lawyer in Des Plaines, IL?

At Dworsky Law Firm, we are trusted citizenship lawyers serving clients across Des Plaines, IL for over 25 years.

If you’re ready to apply for U.S. citizenship in Des Plaines, the process ahead involves more than filling out a form. Any incorrect or missing information on the application can delay your case for months or, in some situations, put your green card at risk. Our Des Plaines, IL citizenship lawyer has guided immigrants through naturalization for more than 25 years, and our founder went through the American immigration system himself. Contact Dworsky Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.

Citizenship Lawyer Des Plaines, IL

A citizenship attorney prepares and files your naturalization application, screens your immigration history for problems before USCIS finds them, and represents you at your interview. That screening matters more than most applicants realize. When you apply to naturalize, USCIS reviews your entire immigration file, not just the answers on your form.

Approximately one in three Des Plaines residents was born outside the United States, according to Census QuickFacts. For thousands of them, naturalization is the last step in a long journey. The process examines your residency record, your travel history, your taxes, and your character. It rewards careful preparation.

Types of Citizenship Cases We Handle in Des Plaines

Citizenship cases are not all alike. Some applicants have clean, straightforward files. Others carry old convictions, long trips abroad, or unresolved questions from a prior application. We handle the full range for clients in Des Plaines, IL.

Naturalization applications. We prepare and file Form N-400, review your immigration history before submission, and get your supporting documents in order so the application holds up under review.
Citizenship through marriage. Spouses of U.S. citizens can qualify on a shorter timeline. We confirm eligibility, document the marriage properly, and prepare clients for questions about the relationship.
Citizenship for children. Children can acquire or derive citizenship through their parents automatically in some cases. We analyze the family’s history and, where needed, file for a Certificate of Citizenship.
Test and interview preparation. The naturalization interview covers your application line by line, plus English and civics testing. We prepare clients for both so nothing at the interview comes as a surprise.
N-400 denials. A denial is not always the end. We review the decision, identify what went wrong, and pursue a hearing or a corrected refiling when the facts support it.
Applications involving criminal records. Arrests and convictions must be disclosed, even old ones and expunged. We evaluate the record first and tell you honestly whether applying is safe.
Certificates of Citizenship and replacements. Some people are already citizens and simply need proof. We file Form N-600 and replacement requests for lost naturalization certificates.
Dual citizenship questions. Clients often ask whether naturalizing affects their original nationality. We walk through what U.S. law requires and what practical issues to expect.

Why Choose Dworsky Law Firm as my Citizenship Lawyer in Des Plaines, IL?

An Attorney Who Earned His Own Green Card

Ashley Dworsky is not just an immigration attorney. He is an immigrant himself. He earned an Extraordinary Ability green card before becoming a U.S. citizen, so he understands the weight of this process from the applicant’s chair, not only from behind a desk. He received his law degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and has been admitted to the State Bars of Illinois and New York, the Northern District of Illinois, the Seventh and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals, the South African Bar, and the United States Supreme Court.

Recognition and a Record With Clients

Ashley Dworsky has been selected to Super Lawyers every year from 2019 through 2026. Our immigration lawyer in Des Plaines, IL has spent more than 25 years handling naturalization and citizenship matters for immigrants across Cook County, and our client reviews reflect how we treat the people we represent. We tell clients when a problem exists, and we prepare every application as if USCIS will scrutinize it.

Understanding Citizenship Cases

Naturalization Requirements and Eligibility Paths

Most applicants qualify under one of two main paths, and naturalization eligibility depends on a handful of core requirements:

Five years as a lawful permanent resident, meaning five years after receiving your green card
Three years as a permanent resident if you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, which pairs closely with the rules governing a marriage-based green card
Continuous residence and physical presence in the United States for the required period
The ability to read, write, and speak basic English and pass a civics test
Good moral character during the statutory period, and honesty throughout the application
Attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution

What Are Important Aspects of a Citizenship Case?

The application asks about far more than your address history, and USCIS checks your answers against its own records. A few issues come up repeatedly:

Trips abroad of six months or longer, which can break continuous residence
Unfiled tax returns or unpaid taxes
Failure to register for Selective Service, for men who were required to do so
Any arrest or conviction, since certain offenses can trigger deportation proceedings rather than a denial alone
Inconsistencies between your N-400 and prior filings

Many of our clients became permanent residents through adjustment of status years earlier, and USCIS will compare the two files. If a naturalization application exposes a serious problem in your history, the government can issue a Notice to Appear, and the case shifts from citizenship to removal defense. We screen for these risks before we file anything.

What Is The Citizenship Case Timeline?

Naturalization moves in stages, and USCIS processing times shift from year to year and office to office. The typical sequence looks like this:

Filing Form N-400 with supporting documents and the government fee
A biometrics appointment for fingerprints and background checks
The naturalization interview, including the English and civics tests
A written decision granting, continuing, or denying the application
The oath ceremony, where citizenship becomes official

Most cases run several months to a year from filing to oath. Testing has also changed. The 2026 civics test is longer and harder than the version many applicants originally studied for, so preparation should start early.

What Should You Bring to Your Citizenship Consultation?

Bring what you have to your appointment with us. We can work with an incomplete file, but the more we see up front, the more precise our advice will be.

Your green card and all passports, current and expired
A list of trips outside the United States since becoming a permanent resident
Federal tax returns for the last three to five years
Marriage certificate and any divorce decrees, if applying under three-year rule
Certified court dispositions for any arrest or charge, anywhere, at any time

At the consultation, we review your history, flag any risks, and give you an honest answer about whether and when to file.

Des Plaines USCIS and Local Naturalization Resources

Des Plaines applicants are served by the USCIS Chicago Field Office, which conducts naturalization interviews and many oath ceremonies for Cook County residents. For test preparation, the official USCIS study materials are free and match what examiners actually ask. Closer to home, the Des Plaines Public Library offers English language and citizenship study resources that many of our clients have found useful.

Reach Out to Dworsky Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation

You have likely worked for years to reach this point. Do not let a preventable mistake set you back now. Our Des Plaines, IL citizenship attorney from our firm can review your history, prepare your application, and stand with you at your interview. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our office responds promptly and will keep you informed at every stage.