Citizenship

Citizenship & Naturalization Attorney in Benton County

N-400 Guidance for Green Card Holders in Rogers, Bentonville & Beyond

Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the most significant legal steps a person can take. Our immigration practice at Arnold and Associates, LLC guides lawful permanent residents through every stage of the naturalization process: preparing and filing Form N-400, getting ready for the citizenship interview, and passing the civics and English test. Founding attorney Makenzie Arnold has practiced since 2015 and has handled thousands of cases across Arkansas courts, bringing that same thorough preparation to immigration matters for clients throughout Rogers, Benton County, and Bentonville.

Benton County has one of the most internationally diverse populations in Arkansas, and many of those residents are at or approaching the point where naturalization becomes available to them. If you hold a green card and want to understand your timeline and options, we’re ready to help.

Contact Arnold and Associates, LLC to schedule a free consultation about your citizenship case. Call us at (479) 383-2475 or reach out online to get started.

One Firm for Your Citizenship & Family Law Complications

Naturalization isn’t always straightforward. Marriage-based green cards, ongoing divorce proceedings, custody disputes, protective orders, and VAWA self-petitions (a path available to survivors of domestic violence who obtained status independently of their abuser) can all affect eligibility, timing, or the good moral character determination USCIS applies to every applicant.

What sets Arnold and Associates, LLC apart is that we handle both sides of that equation in-house. Our immigration practice sits alongside a full family law practice, so if your citizenship case involves a marriage-based accelerated filing, a divorce that changes your three-year track eligibility, or a VAWA-based green card, the same firm handles it. You don’t get referred to a second attorney who doesn’t know your history.

We give every client a clear-eyed assessment of where they stand, honest guidance on realistic outcomes, and consistent communication throughout the process. We’re straightforward with clients and relentless when the work demands it.

Naturalization Eligibility Requirements

Before filing Form N-400, most green card holders need to confirm they meet several threshold requirements. Understanding these early helps avoid a premature filing or a denial that could have been prevented.

Residency & Physical Presence

The standard path requires holding lawful permanent resident status for at least five years before filing. If you’ve been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse throughout that period, you may file after three years instead. You must also show physical presence in the United States for at least half of the required residency period, and you must have lived in the state or USCIS district where you file for at least three months before submitting your application.

Continuous residence is a separate but related requirement. A single trip outside the United States lasting one year or more breaks it entirely. Absences between six months and one year can also disrupt continuous residence, though documentation showing an intent to maintain residence may help in borderline situations. Form N-400 can be filed up to 90 days before you reach your three- or five-year anniversary, so timing your filing correctly matters.

Age, Good Moral Character & the Civics Test

Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of filing. Those applying based on wartime military service have no minimum age requirement, though applicants relying on peacetime military service must still be 18 or older. USCIS also requires applicants to demonstrate good moral character for the entire statutory period, meaning the agency will review criminal history, prior immigration violations, and other conduct during that window.

The civics and English test is the final hurdle before approval. Applicants must show a basic ability to read, write, and speak English and pass a test covering U.S. history and government. Limited exceptions apply based on age and long-term residence, and applicants with qualifying disabilities may request accommodations or an exemption.

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Testimonials From Former Clients

Real Stories, Real Results

Our clients’ experiences speak to the dedication, preparation, and advocacy we bring to every case. Read what former clients have shared about working with our team.

"A Fierce Yet Compassionate Advocate"
Makenzie Arnold was an absolute lifesaver during one of the hardest times in my life. From the very first consultation, she was different from the other lawyers I spoke with—she didn’t just listen, she *fought* for me.

- Jennifer H.
"Cannot Recommend Makenzie Arnold Enough"
Cannot recommend Makenzie Arnold enough. She handled my custody case with more compassion and grace than I could have ever imagined. It was incredibly obvious that she actually cared about my family and our needs.

- Todd
"She Was Instrumental in Winning Our Case"
Makenzie Arnold is without a doubt the best attorney I've ever worked with. She answered emails quickly, she explained things to us well. She is an absolute bulldog in court.

- Jarrod C.
"Hands Down the Best Attorney"
She has grit and integrity. We had a very difficult case with the odds stacked against us. We came out on top. She's highly ethical and commands a solid understanding of the law.

- David L.
"She Was Truly on My Side"
It was a relief knowing I could trust her to advocate for me. She kept me informed and was available to answer questions I had along the way. Will absolutely work with Melanie again if I ever have other legal needs!

- Becca S.
"A Gem in The Legal Field"
Payton's kindness, understanding, and responsiveness truly set her apart as a top-notch lawyer. Throughout the entire process, she eased my fears and made me feel like I had a dedicated advocate fighting for me and my children.

- Meggan
"Kind, Professional, and Supportive"
Morgan Woelke was incredibly kind, professional, and supportive, patiently guiding me through every step of the process and always making sure I felt informed, confident, and well assisted throughout my case.

- Lilian C.

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Why Choose Arnold and Associates, LLC?

The Right Firm MAkes A Difference

Trial-Tested Advocacy

We prepare every case with a courtroom mindset and are always ready to fight for you when it matters most.
Client-First Approach
You are never just a case number. We take the time to understand your goals and build a strategy around what matters most to you.
Proven Experience
With thousands of cases handled, we bring real-world experience and practical insight to every legal challenge.
Aggressive When It Counts

We negotiate strategically, but we won’t hesitate to push hard when your rights or your family are on the line.
Free Consultations Available

We offer free consultations for select case types so you can understand your options, ask questions, and feel confident about your next steps before making any commitment.
Flexible & Accessible

We offer flexible meeting options and responsive communication because legal issues don’t always happen on a convenient schedule.

What Happens After You File Form N-400

Once USCIS receives your application, it schedules a biometrics appointment to collect fingerprints and photographs, then conducts background and security checks. After that, USCIS schedules your naturalization interview, where an officer reviews your application and administers the English and civics tests.

If you don’t pass a portion of the test at the first interview, USCIS typically schedules a second interview 60 to 90 days later to retake only the portion you didn’t pass. You’re legally permitted to have an attorney present at both interviews, and we prepare clients thoroughly for what to expect.

When the N-400 is approved, you’re scheduled for an Oath of Allegiance ceremony. You surrender your green card, take the oath, and receive your Certificate of Naturalization, which is your proof of U.S. citizenship.

Schedule Your Free Consultation in Benton County

Whether your path to citizenship is straightforward or involves complicating factors, Arnold and Associates, LLC can review your situation honestly and help you move forward. We offer a free initial consultation, available in person or virtually, and we provide services in Spanish.

Ready to take the next step toward U.S. citizenship? Call Arnold and Associates, LLC at (479) 383-2475 to schedule your free consultation with our Benton County immigration team.

Special Circumstances That Affect the Naturalization Path

Not every applicant follows the standard five-year track. Military service, a change in marital status, or citizenship acquired through a parent can each alter the path significantly. Knowing which rules apply before filing can prevent costly delays or missed opportunities.

Military Service Provisions

Current and former U.S. armed forces members who served honorably may qualify under INA sections 328 or 329, which can reduce or waive the standard residence and physical presence requirements. Those who served during a designated period of hostilities may be exempt from those requirements entirely. Military applicants filing under either provision also pay no filing fee.

Divorce, Separation & the Three-Year Rule

The three-year filing path depends on the marriage remaining intact through naturalization. If the marriage ends in divorce, legal separation, or the death of the U.S. citizen spouse before the applicant naturalizes, the applicant reverts to the standard five-year rule counted from the original green card date, with no partial credit carried over. This makes timing especially important for anyone on the three-year track who is also going through a separation or divorce, and it’s one reason our in-house family law practice adds real value in those cases.

Citizenship Through Parents

Some individuals acquired U.S. citizenship automatically through a parent and may not need to go through naturalization at all. This can apply to certain children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents or to children whose parents naturalized before the child turned 18. In those situations, the right filing may be a Certificate of Citizenship rather than an N-400. We can help determine which path applies to your situation.

Why Legal Guidance Matters Before You File

The N-400 isn’t a risk-free filing for everyone. If USCIS discovers conduct during its review that makes an applicant deportable or inadmissible, such as previously undisclosed criminal history, it can place the applicant in removal proceedings. Filing itself doesn’t put permanent resident status at risk, and a denial doesn’t result in removal on its own, but undisclosed issues that surface during the process can have serious consequences.

We review clients’ criminal records, prior immigration status issues, and documentation gaps early, when there’s still time to address them before the application goes in. For clients with family-court history, our cross-practice review means we’re examining good moral character questions through the lens of attorneys who handle those proceedings every day.