Citizenship & Immigration
Library Resources for Obtaining US Citizenship
Deciding to become a citizen of the United States is one of the most important decisions in your life, demonstrating a real commitment to the US and loyalty to its Constitution. In return, you are rewarded with all the rights and privileges that are part of US citizenship. All LA County Library locations can assist with locating material on citizenship and immigration. We also offer many citizenship and immigration resources. Check out these informative videos to help you navigate this page and learn more about the citizenship resources available to you.
Know Your Rights
Knowledge is safety, so we’re sharing a Step-By-Step Family Preparedness Plan from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). The plan can be downloaded and saved in both English and Spanish. You’ll also find a downloadable “Know Your Rights” pocket card which you can keep on you for immediate reference if ever needed.
All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. Visit ILRC to download their “Red Cards”. The cards are available in multiple languages and help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.
Featured Event
Constitution Day with CHIRLA: Understanding the Path to Citizenship
Citizenship/Constitution Day (Sept 17) honors the US Constitution, citizenship rights, and immigrants’ journeys. CHIRLA will host a free webinar with reliable info on naturalization, immigrant rights, and relief options.
Citizenship in a Bag
This toolkit in a bag—which can be borrowed from your local library—contains a variety of educational materials for the naturalization exam, including flash cards and multimedia tools and a FREE citizenship folder you can take home that includes:
- Step-by-step instructions on the US naturalization process.
- Reference materials on the rights and responsibilities of US citizenship.
- Official citizenship forms, including the Application for Naturalization.
Borrow or place a hold on a Citizenship in a Bag toolkit
For citizenship-related questions, please call your nearest LA County Library location.
Share Your Immigration & Citizenship Stories
Los Angeles County is a region of immigrants, and each has a unique and wonderful story to tell. We want to hear yours! Do you remember the day you left? How did you feel when you first became a naturalized citizen? No matter your country of origin or current status, consider sharing your journey with us. Submit your stories in any form such as written narratives (Doc, PDF), images, audio, or video. Submissions will be reviewed and then posted on our BiblioBoard community collections so others can learn and grow from your experiences.
Booklists
The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787 by the Founding Fathers. Celebrate this important document and what it means to be a U.S. Citizen on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day with these books!
Library Record Request Forms
English Record Request Form
Your library records might assist with proof of residency as required by DACA. You can request your library record at anytime
图书馆记录申请表 – 中文
您的图书馆记录可能协助您提供DACA所要求的居住证明。请填写以下表格，图书馆代表会尽快与您联系。
Formulario de solicitud de registro de biblioteca
Su expediente de la biblioteca le podría asistir en comprobar su residencia para satisfacer el requisito de DACA. Favor de llenar este formulario y un representante de la biblioteca lo contactara brevemente.
Print Materials
Search the Library’s catalog for citizenship test materials, by language.
English Catalog
Search the library’s catalog for citizenship test materials in English.
Catálogo Español
Vea materiales de estudio en español para el examen de ciudadania, en el catálogo de la biblioteca.
利用图书馆目录来查找公民入籍考试的中文资料。
Online Learning & Databases
These online Library classes and resources can help you with language learning, citizenship test preparation, and more, and are free with your library card.
LEAMOS
offers a free, pre-ESL literacy course that teaches Spanish-speaking adults how to read and write in Spanish.
EBSCO LEARNING EXPRESS TEST PREP
provides practice tests and exam preparation for US citizenship, including a guide to getting your Green Card.
EBSCO LEGAL INFORMATION REFERENCE CENTER provides access to legal reference books on a variety of subjects including how to become a US citizen.
BRAINFUSE
features live tutors who are available to help with citizenship preparation. Help is available in English and Spanish.
MANGO LANGUAGES
offers online English language courses for speakers of 15 different languages. Learn on the go with the Mango Mobile app for iPhone and Android.
Additional Resources
These local and national organizations offer additional services such as English as a Second Language (ESL), financial assistance, and legal aid. Clicking on any of these links will take you away from the Library’s website to another website with valuable information to help you.
ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 60 DRIVER LICENSE PROGRAM
For individuals who are unable to provide proof of legal presence in the United States, but who meet California DMV requirements and are able to provide proof of identity and California residency.
ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE (AAAJ)
The nation’s largest Asian American legal and civic rights organization has continuously served the undocumented community with free education and legal services since 2012, especially those who speak little or no English. Provides free legal services to the undocumented immigrant community.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOS ANGELES
Assists newly-arrived immigrants in learning English, American social norms, obtaining education, and training for jobs that will provide, at least, a living wage. Offers a variety of legal services including, but not limited to: citizenship & naturalization services, family visa petitions, adjustment of status applications, consular visa processing, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications.
CENTRAL AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER
A nonprofit organization that offers low-cost immigration legal services, community education programs, and advocacy and organizing to achieve fair and more inclusive immigration, education, and labor laws and policies in LA and the nation.
CITIZENSHIPWORKS
Easy-to-use online tools to help low and moderate-income individuals to prepare for the naturalization process and test.
COALITION FOR HUMANE IMMIGRANT RIGHTS (CHIRLA)
Offers an Immigrant Assistance Hotline and immigration legal services at low-cost to its members. Its Seize the Dream program aims to assist eligible immigrant youth in applying for DACA. Its Legal Services Department has helped thousands of individuals to become citizens and reunite with their families.
LA COUNTY OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS
A guide to immigration resources and immigrant rights. Users can access legal resources, learn how to file immigration fraud claims, and learn about their path to citizenship.
LA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION (LACBA) IMMIGRATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT
Provides low-cost legal assistance and counseling, including assistance with various immigration applications.
NEW AMERICANS CAMPAIGN
A national network of legal-service providers, faith-based organizations, businesses, foundations and community leaders that is paving a better road to citizenship. Their Events Calendar summarizes citizenship events by location.
US CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS)
Official Green Card and Citizenship applications, study materials, and citizenship & immigration-related news.
IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER
Works with and educating immigrants, community organizations, and the legal sector to help build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people.
NALEO Educational Fund
Read the four questions you can ask yourself before applying for US Citizenship so you will know if you qualify to apply.
