Citizenship For Hawaii Residents

Gemma Weinstein, President of Unite HERE Local 5, speaks at a press conference where Mayor Caldwell announces a partnership between the city’s Department of Community Services, The Legal Clinic, and UNITE HERE Local 5 to promote a year-round effort to help immigrants in Hawaiʻi become naturalized or gain U.S. citizenship.

Basic eligibility requirements for U.S. citizenship

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
  • Continuously reside in the U.S. for at least 5 years since becoming a permanent resident
  • Be physically present in the U.S. for at least 2½ out of past 5 years
  • Be of good moral character
  • Be able to understand, speak, read and write English
  • Understand U.S. government and history concepts

Community Organizations

There are many community organizations that offer free or affordable naturalization application assistance where staff and volunteers help verify eligibility for citizenship, complete and file their citizenship applications, and prepare fee waiver requests if they cannot afford the filing fee.

The Legal Clinic

808-797-2325

Confidential, compassionate and free/low cost immigration legal services to financially-eligible immigrants and COFA* citizens in Hawaiʻi

Call or click here to fill out request and TLC will contact you.

Pacific Gateway Center

(808) 851-7010

Social services, economic
development, education and
training for immigrants, refugees, and low-income populations.

Legal Aid Society

808-536-4302

Free legal services to eligible indigent immigrants in immigration and civil legal matters. Legal Aid also conducts community outreach and education, hosts free legal clinics, and provides training on a variety of immigration and related civil rights issues.

Catholic Charities Hawaii

(808) 521-4357

Provides a wide range of social services including helping immigrants to prepare and file appropriate documents to stabilize immigration status. CCH serves all people, especially those with the greatest need, regardless of their faith or culture.

Advancing Justice Los Angeles

(888) 349-9695

Provides free legal services to the undocumented immigrant community. AAJ-LA can help those who speak little or no English.

Apply On Your Own 

CitizenshipWorks

Easy-to-use online tool that offers step by step guidance through the naturalization application. This tool will let you know if you might need help from an immigration expert.

The Legal Clinic in Partnership with    CitizenshipWorks

Using this portal, you can start the naturalization application on your own. You will also be connected to The Legal Clinic for assistance and have access to a final review of your application by an attorney.