Our large workshops are best suited for non-complex, basic cases. If you have a case involving disability waiver applications, extensive criminal history, or excessive trips outside the United States, please review the information on below and contact our partner organizations to schedule a free appointment for an individual consultation with an attorney.
DISABILITY WAIVER
If you think you may qualify for a disability waiver:
Step 1: Download the Form N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions and the instructions from the Document Library, then have your doctor or qualified health provider complete it in advance of your appointment with one of our partner organizations.
Step 2: Schedule an appointment for an office-based consultation, as disability cases are often too complex and time consuming for large group processing events. Disability cases are screened out of our large group processing workshops as part of our standard operating procedures. Please seek services with on of our immigration provider organizations, and reference your disability waiver needs when calling to make an appointment.
CRIMINAL HISTORY
Can people with a criminal history apply to become a U.S. citizen?
It depends on the type of criminal history. For that reason, it is important to get a copy of your criminal record and consult with an immigration attorney before beginning the naturalization process. Contact one of our immigration provider organizations to better discuss your personal situation.
How Do You Know if You Have a Criminal Record?
If you answer YES to any of these questions, you may have a criminal record:
Have you ever been handcuffed?
Have you ever been fingerprinted by the police?
Have you ever been in the back of a police car?
Have you ever gone to court or appeared in front of a judge?
Have you ever had to pay a fine at the court?
Have you ever been on probation?
Have you ever spent any time, even one night, in jail?
What Is a Criminal Record and Why Does it Matter?
A criminal record is a record of any contact with the police and the court system. Some criminal records will prevent you from qualifying for U.S. citizenship, while others will have no effect on whether you qualify for U.S. citizenship. But in order to know whether or not you should apply for citizenship, it is important that you obtain a copy of your criminal record.
How Can You Obtain a Copy of Your Criminal Record?
Obtaining an FBI Report or Rap Sheet:
If you are not sure what happened or where it happened, a good place to start is by requesting a copy of your FBI report or rap sheet. The FBI report may not include all contact with the police or the courts, but it’s a good place to start.
Obtaining your record starts with these three steps:
1. Get Arrest Record
2. Find Court Number
3. Get Court Records
Visit our Document Library and download “Obtaining Your Criminal Record” resource to help you obtain your records in the San Francisco Bay Area.