- SEATTLE: 206-621-1110
- TACOMA: 253-572-1000
- PORTLAND: 971-416-0881
- OLYMPIA: 360-742-3500
Seattle and Tacoma Immigration Lawyers
NOTE: We are not accepting new clients for immigration law cases at this time.
Although we are not accepting new cases for immigration law, we would be happy to take your call and try to point you in the right direction.
Assisting individuals seeking to become U.S. citizens
Naturalization can provide many rights and benefits for you and your family. As a U.S. citizen, you can obtain the right to vote, the right to travel freely, the ability to help family members come to the U.S., and more. If you are considering pursuing citizenship, your first call should be to the Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess.
Our highly experienced immigration attorneys can evaluate your situation, advise you of your eligibility for naturalization, and help you through every step of the process. Please do not hesitate to contact our office for assistance.
Eligibility for naturalization
Citizenship is not automatically available to everyone and you must meet certain criteria in order to be approved for the naturalization process. Some criteria include:
- You must be actually present in the U.S;
- You have continuously lived in the U.S. for five years (with at least three months in your particular state);
- Permanent resident status for at least five years (in some exceptions, three years may qualify);
- Demonstrate good moral character;
- Demonstrate that you believe in the ideals and principles of the U.S. Constitution;
- Show an understanding of basic U.S. civics, government, and history;
- Know how to speak, read, and write basic English.
In some cases, if you do not meet certain criteria, our naturalization lawyers can help to obtain an exemption or waiver for those criteria due to extenuating circumstances.
The naturalization process
In addition to meeting the above criteria, you must go through a specific process before citizenship will be granted. Some steps of this process are as follows:
- File a complete and accurate application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Submit your fingerprints, signature, and other information at a biometrics appointment for criminal background check purposes.
- Be interviewed by a USCIS agent regarding your application and other information about your background.
- Pass a test to prove your knowledge of basic English and U.S. civics.
- Have USCIS approve your application.
- Take the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S. and understand your rights and responsibilities as a citizen.
Contact an experienced Washington naturalization attorney today
Naturalization can be very rewarding though the process can be confusing and many individuals run into obstacles along the way. Having a qualified immigration attorney on your side can help the process go as smoothly as possible.
Please contact the Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess for help at 253-572-1000 in Tacoma or 206-621-1110 in Seattle today.
Attorney Robert Dickson
The core of Rob’s legal practice is civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, and business law. He represents a wide range of clients, from large construction companies to individual homeowners. His is a practical approach to law, which strives to balance the need for a successful legal outcome with a client’s financial goals (or constraints). Outside of his private practice, Rob serves as an adjunct professor at the Seattle University School of Law where he teaches real estate litigation. [ Attorney Bio ]
Thomas L. Dickson
Tom is an experienced litigator and the founding partner of the firm. For over 30 years, he’s helped clients prevail in their real estate, construction, and business law matters.
Heather Burgess
Heather represents property owners and developers in all phases of real estate development, from pre-acquisition due diligence through local permitting and appeals.
Robert P. Dickson
The core of Rob’s legal practice is civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, and business law. He represents a wide range of clients, from large construction companies to individual homeowners.
Daniel J. Frohlich
Dan’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and probate law. He has more than 10 years of experience as an attorney serving clients throughout Western Washington.
Mark S. Johnson
Mark’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and family law. He works tirelessly to help his clients achieve the outcome they are looking for.
Trevor A. Zandell
Since graduating with honors from law school in 2005, Trevor has been serving the legal needs of businesses, individuals, and families across Southwest Washington.
Daniel E. Pizarro
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Daniel is active in the firm’s civil litigation department. His practice is mainly centered around real estate law, landlord-tenant law, construction law, and probate law.
Alexander J. Wisbey
Alexander Wisbey comes to the firm with 5 years of experience as a litigator and trial attorney. He has first chaired several jury trials and has extensive experience handling arbitrations, mediations, depositions, and settlements.
Andrew Hata
Andrew is the head of our Transactional Department and focuses his practice on corporate governance, real estate transactions, commercial contracts, and corporate finance.
Kelley Duggan
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kelley practices in a wide range of areas, including estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and intellectual property law.
Cambria A. Queen
Cambria is an Associate with Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess in the civil litigation department, where she practices primarily real estate and probate law.
George Knight
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, George is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. His practice is mainly centered around business law, real estate law, construction law, employment law, and probate law.
Chris Pierce-Wright
Chris comes to Phillips Burgess Tacoma from Seattle, where he served as an associate attorney focused on insurance litigation with Wilson Smith Cochran Dickerson.
Jennifer Yoo
Jennifer is an associate attorney at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess where her current practice focuses on real estate law, contract and commercial disputes, and business law.
Katherine E. Baals
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Katherine practices in a range of areas, including real estate, construction, business, and civil litigation.
Kenneth Chan
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, PLLC, Kenny is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. Prior to working at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kenny was an in-house attorney for a Fortune 100 company.
Brian Buske
Following his graduation from Lewis & Clark Law School, Brian garnered valuable client experience working on international compliance and intellectual property issues.
Kyla S. Bennett
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kyla practices in a range of areas, including real estate, land use, and civil litigation.
Matt Wand
Matt was born and raised in East Multnomah County in the Gresham area where he lives and has raised his family. His wife of more than twenty-five years is Anne Wand and they have three children together.
