Citizenship and Immigration Resources 

Citizenship Resources

San Francisco Public Library serves a diverse population of adults and children from countries and cultures around the word. This page serves to help provide resources that can help with naturalization, green card renewal, family petitions, and other important services for permanent residents. Initial consultations are generally low-cost or free for San Francisco residents. City of San Francisco Citizenship and Immigration Resources. 

Library Resources

The library has books, citizenship practice tests, English as a Second Language (ESL) materials and programs.  Ask library staff for help finding them. Click the links below to access our services, or scroll down to learn more about them. 

Free Library Card 

San Francisco Public Library offers free library cards that may be used at any of the Library’s locations. Library cards can be used to borrow materials like books, music, movies (and more!) as well as access to the Library’s online databases. You can fill out an  application online in English, Spanish, or Chinese (or fill out and print the paper application) then visit any SFPL location with a a valid photo ID in-person to receive a library card.  

Citizenship Preparation

The Library has many materials about citizenship, immigration, and citizenship test preparation that may be borrowed: 

Use our databases to access more resources! Search "citizenship" in LearningExpress. Select "adult learning" and select "United States Citizenship Test" in Brainfuse HelpNow.

International Center

The Library’s International Center includes books and periodicals in approximately 40 languages. Staff services provided at the International Center desk may include Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, plus limited French, Portuguese and Tagalog/Filipino. 

Government Information Center

The Government Information Center (GIC) provides free access to United States, California, San Francisco, and Bay Area regional agency government documents, and to materials on public policy, political science, public administration, and the law.

The Bridge at Main

The Bridge offers one on one tutoring to adult English language learners who live in San Francisco. Fill out this form to request a tutor. Join the online ESL Convo Club to practice English every Tuesday from 3-4 p.m. 

Project Read

Project Read is the adult literacy program of the San Francisco Public Library. Trained volunteer tutors provide free one-on-one tutoring to English-speaking adults who want to improve their basic reading and writing skills.  

San Francisco Government Resources

The following resources were created by San Francisco city agencies. Please contact these organizations directly for more information or contact the library's International Center desk at (415) 557-4430.  

United States Government Resources

Prepare for the USCIS naturalization interview with these helpful resources, including a guide to naturalization, detailed practice materials for the citizenship exam, and a list of local organizations that can help you with the naturalization process. Watch the short video below to learn more about the available information.  

 

Other Immigration Resources

The following resources were created by other local community organizations, or other non-profit organizations. Please contact these organizations directly for more information or contact the library's International Center desk at (415) 557-4430.   

While sharing these resources is intended to connect community members with relevant information, the City is not responsible for any third-party content that may be accessed through the sites referenced herein and does not endorse these organizations or the accuracy of the advice these organizations may provide. The City cannot provide legal advice to members of the public about their immigration status or rights when encountering ICE.