Immigration and citizenship laws get more and more complicated everyday, and if you live in the state of Missouri, then you probably already know that there are complex sets of state laws to complement the already sizable labyrinth of federal laws. However, this should not discourage you from applying for citizenship in Missouri, because citizenship applications in particular are mostly handled by the federal government, and the process varies very little from state to state. In other words, if you are living in the United States as a permanent resident and you want to make your permanency official, an application to citizenship is the best way to ensure that your rights are protected and that your permission to remain in the United States does not come under threat.However, many residents put off applying for citizenship because they feel intimidated or exhausted by the thought of a lengthy application process. The good news is, there are many law firms and citizenship services out there to help make the application easier, and with waiting times increasing significantly every year, it makes sense to get your application in as soon as possible. You'll also want to make sure that your application doesn't get rejected on a technicality, and your legal representative can look over your application and advise you as to what you need to do for the greatest chance of a successful application.If you are already living in Missouri on a green card, you may wonder why you would even go through the trouble of citizenship application when you can live perfectly happily for an indefinite period as a permanent resident. Of course, there is no law that says you have to apply for citizenship if you are eligible, but most immigrants do want to apply simply because of the protections, rights, and privileges that citizenship offers. For example, citizens have the right to vote in all local and federal elections, and they never have to worry about being forcibly removed from the United States. It is important to remember that permanent residency does not mean that you cannot be deported, but if you are a citizen your place in the United States is safe no matter what.Once you or your lawyer has submitted your application for citizenship, it's time to start preparing for your interview and your exam. This is the part that makes most applicants nervous, but given the tremendous length of the average waiting time for citizenship applications, you will most certainly have plenty of time to study and prepare yourself for the interview process. Make sure that you are able to conduct a conversation in English, and you will also want to brush up on your knowledge of United States history and government. There are websites online where you can take mock tests and see how well you are prepared for the real thing. Of course, you must also show that you are of sufficient moral character, that you have fulfilled the necessary residency requirements, and that you have a clean criminal record.