Citizenship Lawyer · Albany, NY · Capital Region · Nationwide

Become a U.S. Citizen With Your Application Done Right

After everything it took to get here, citizenship should feel like a celebration, not a source of stress. Albany citizenship attorney Ray Wood guides your naturalization from eligibility to the citizenship interview and the oath, so a preventable mistake doesn't set you back.

AILA & ABA Member |Flat-Fee Pricing |U.S. Army Veteran |Same-Day Call Back

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Trusted by families taking the final step toward U.S. citizenship.

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15 YearsImmigration Law
U.S. ArmyVeteran · 11 Yrs Service

The Last Step Should Be the Easiest. But It Trips People Up

You've waited years for this. Yet the N-400 asks detailed questions about your history, travel, and time as a permanent resident, and an inaccurate answer, a missed eligibility rule, or an unprepared interview can delay or even derail your citizenship.

Knowing whether you qualify under the 3-year or 5-year rule, and how trips abroad affect you, isn't always obvious.

Ray confirms your eligibility, prepares a clean N-400, and gets you ready for the interview and the English and civics tests, so you walk in confident and walk out on your way to the oath.

Where Citizenship Cases Go Wrong

  • 01
    Applying before you're eligible

    The 3- vs 5-year rule and the continuous-residence and physical-presence requirements trip many applicants up.

  • 02
    Trips abroad that break continuity

    Long absences can reset your clock. We check your travel before you file, not after.

  • 03
    Past issues that need disclosing carefully

    Old arrests or citations, tax problems, or past immigration answers need to be handled the right way on the form.

  • 04
    Unprepared for the interview & test

    We make sure you know what to expect and walk in ready, not nervous.

How We Help You Become a Citizen

A practice devoted exclusively to immigration law, so we know this process inside out.

Naturalization (N-400)

We prepare and file a complete, accurate N-400, the application that turns your green card into U.S. citizenship.

Eligibility Review

3-year or 5-year rule? Continuous residence? We confirm you're eligible before you file, so you don't apply too early.

Interview & Civics Test Prep

We get you ready for the citizenship interview and the English and civics tests, so the big day feels routine.

Early Filing (90-Day Rule)

USCIS accepts the N-400 up to 90 days before you reach the 3- or 5-year mark. We calculate your earliest filing date so you don't wait longer than you need to, or file too soon.

Complex Histories

Old citations, tax questions, or long trips abroad? We help you disclose accurately and present your case the right way.

N-400 Denied? Next Steps

If your naturalization was denied, you may be able to request a hearing on Form N-336 or reapply. The N-336 window is 30 days, so reach out quickly.

A Process That Feels Clear, Not Confusing

You are never left guessing what comes next.

1

Speak With Ray

Tell us your situation. Ray confirms your eligibility and explains your options honestly, no pressure, no jargon. You'll hear back the same day.

2

We Prepare It the Right Way

We prepare an accurate N-400 and get you ready for the interview and civics test, at a flat fee you know up front.

3

Your Oath & Citizenship

We support you through the interview to the oath ceremony, the moment you've worked toward.

What Our Clients Say

5-star reviews from families Ray has helped.

★★★★★

"Ray Wood and his team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise throughout the green card process. They made the entire process seamless for us, promptly addressing all our inquiries regardless of the time of day and consistently keeping us informed. We deeply appreciate Ray Wood's invaluable assistance and highly recommend his services."

Natesh Ramdharry · Google Review

★★★★★

"You will not find lawyers that aren't just competent here, but you will also find kind folks that are phenomenal human beings. I cannot thank the team enough. They genuinely do care."

Harjup Singh · Google Review

★★★★★

"Ray walked me through the whole immigration process from the beginning until the end, became a citizen yesterday! He is extremely knowledgeable and has a way of explaining things in a very clear and calm way."

Naturalization Client

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Why Families Choose Ray

A small, focused practice, where you work directly with your attorney, not a call center.

Flat Fees, No Surprises

You'll know your full cost up front, a flat fee, not an hourly bill that climbs. On most matters that even includes the USCIS filing fees.

You Speak to the Attorney

No being passed between departments. You deal directly with Ray, and you get a same-day call back.

A Focused Practice

Family immigration filings with USCIS and the consulates, and nothing else: green cards, waivers, naturalization, removal of conditions, consular processing. We know this niche cold.

Straight Answers

We'll Tell You Honestly Where You Stand

If we can help, we'll tell you exactly how. And if we're not the right fit for your case, we'll tell you that too, and point you in the right direction. No pressure, no false promises.

It's the reason so many people, including some we couldn't take on, leave us 5-star reviews. We treat every person who calls with care, because behind every case is a family.

Your Attorney

An Immigration Lawyer Who Knows Your Case

Ray Wood, Immigration Attorney

Ray Wood

Immigration Attorney · Albany, NY

Ray has practiced immigration law for 15 years, in a practice devoted exclusively to immigration. His background includes 11 years of military service: three years on active duty with the U.S. Army and eight with the Army National Guard. Clients know him for clear communication and responsive, hands-on care from the first call to the final approval notice.

AILA Member•American Bar Association•U.S. Army Veteran•Admitted, CA State Bar

Learn more at immigration-attorney.org

Ready to Take the Final Step?

Let's make sure your citizenship application is done right. Speak with Ray and you'll hear back the same day.

What we focus on

  • Naturalization (N-400) & citizenship
  • Eligibility review & interview/civics prep
  • Marriage & family-based green cards (I-130)
  • Adjustment of status (I-485) & consular processing
  • Removal of conditions (I-751) & I-290B motions

What we don't handle

  • Immigration Court / removal & deportation defense
  • Work & employment visas (H-1B, L-1, etc.)
  • Asylum cases

Not sure if your case fits? Reach out anyway, we'll tell you honestly, and point you in the right direction if it's not for us.

Common Questions About Citizenship

How do I choose the best citizenship lawyer for my case?
Look for a lawyer who handles naturalization every day. Ray confirms your eligibility, prepares your application for U.S. citizenship, and gets you ready for the interview. Whether you're searching for a citizenship lawyer near me or an immigration lawyer for citizenship, what matters is accuracy and preparation.
When am I eligible to apply?
Most green card holders can apply after 5 years as a permanent resident, or after 3 years if they have been married to, and living in marital union with, the same U.S. citizen spouse. USCIS accepts applications up to 90 days before you reach the 3- or 5-year mark. Continuous residence and physical presence also matter. We confirm exactly when you qualify before you file.
Do trips abroad affect my application?
They can. A trip of more than six months can raise a presumption that you broke continuous residence, and a trip of a year or more generally breaks it. Physical presence is counted separately. This is one of the most common reasons applications run into trouble, so we review your travel history before you file.
Can I apply while my I-751 is still pending?
Often, yes. Conditional residents who otherwise qualify can file the N-400 while an I-751 is pending, and USCIS may decide both at the interview. The timing needs care, so we map it out with you first.
What does it cost?
We charge flat fees on nearly all of our cases, and on most matters that includes the USCIS filing fees. You'll know your full cost up front, with no surprise hourly bills.
Can you help if I live outside the Albany area?
Yes. Immigration is federal law, so we can represent clients in all 50 states. Ray meets Capital Region clients at the Albany office and helps clients nationwide through secure, remote consultations.
Do you handle cases in Immigration Court?
We focus on family-based immigration filings: green cards, waivers, naturalization, removal of conditions, consular processing, and I-290B motions. We do not handle cases currently in Immigration Court, removal/deportation defense, work visas, or asylum.

Speak With Ray About Becoming a U.S. Citizen

Your first consultation is free.

You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Tell us about your situation and we'll confirm your eligibility and options, clearly, honestly, and with no obligation. You'll hear back the same day.

Office

2022 Western Avenue, Suite 2W, Albany, NY 12203

Serving

Albany, Schenectady, the Capital Region, Vermont & all 50 states (remote consultations)

Prefer to write? Send a short note with the form below (your green card date and any long trips help) and Ray will get back to you. Please don't include confidential documents.

Email Ray about Your Case

Your first consultation is free.

You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Tell us about your situation and we'll help you understand your options, clearly, honestly, and with no obligation. You'll hear back the same day.

Ray Wood, Immigration Attorney

Ray Wood, Immigration Attorney · 2022 Western Avenue, Suite 2W, Albany, NY 12203

Mailing: PO Box 909, Guilderland, NY 12084 · 518-741-8868

Serving the Capital Region & nationwide · immigration-attorney.org

© 2026 Ray Wood, Immigration Attorney. All rights reserved.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Ray Wood is admitted to practice in California; practice limited to U.S. immigration law. We do not handle cases currently in Immigration Court.

This page provides general information, not legal advice for your situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.