Home › How to... articles › U.S. Citizenship Through Marriage: How Does It Work?

U.S. Citizenship Through Marriage: How Does It Work?

Posted on Posted in How to... articles 79 Comments

Naturalization is the process by which a non-citizen becomes the citizen of a country. In the United States, one such naturalization path is by getting citizenship through marriage to a U.S. citizen. But don’t think it will be as easy as filling out a few forms!



While being married to a U.S. citizen can put you on the path to citizenship, it is neither a fast process nor guaranteed, and there are lots of requirements to fulfill along the way. With a lot of attention to detail and a little patience, though, you could be holding that USA citizenship certificate proudly in your hands in the least time possible.

What follows are the basic steps to obtaining U.S. citizenship through marriage, which generally include first becoming a permanent resident (green card holder) and then applying for citizenship.

Permanent Residency

Establishing permanent residency is the first step to acquiring U.S. citizenship by marriage. The Permanent Resident Card, also known as Form I-551 or a “green card,” provides proof that you are a permanent resident of the United States and is granted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Immigration Through Marriage to a U.S. Citizen

In order to enter the U.S. legally if you are married to a U.S citizen, your spouse should complete Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and all required documentation and filing fee in order to obtain the proper visa permission to immigrate to the U.S.

Green Card Through Marriage

After your arrival, you should file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and pay the filing fee to adjust your status to that of a permanent resident in the United States. If you are already in the U.S. legally, you should file both forms at the same time.

The USCIS will call in you and your spouse for an interview, and then, if things go well and if you have been married for less than two years at the time resident status is granted, you will receive permanent resident status on a conditional basis. This can be removed by submitting a joint petition, Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, within the 90-day period before the expiration date of conditional residence.

Read also:How to Get an American Working Visa

Applying for Citizenship

Now, the big question arises: “When can I apply for U.S. citizenship?”



The general answer is that you must be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least three years and have been living in marital union with your U.S. citizen-spouse during that time. You need tofile citizenship Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, along with requested documentation and appropriate fee in order to apply for citizenship.

There are some further eligibility requirements under Section 319(a) of the Immigration and National Act (INA), however, and, they include the following:

  • Be 18 or older
  • Have lived within the state or USCIS district with jurisdiction over your place of residence for at least three months prior to filing of application
  • Reside continuously within the U.S. from the date of your naturalization application until the time of naturalization
  • Be physically present in the U.S. for at least 18 months out of the 3 years immediately preceding the filing of your application
  • Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government
  • Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the U.S. Constitution, and “well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law.”

How long it will take your application to make it through the naturalization process depends largely on where you’re located. The USCIS Local Field Office closest to you will contact you for an interview and final review of your application. You can check processing times at the USCIS website. If you are approved, you will take the oath of allegiance—in some locations even the same day.

Final Considerations on Getting U.S. Citizenship Through Marriage

Remember that the final authority regarding all immigration and citizenship issues lies with the USCIS, so be sure to consult the USCIS website for further information, especially the USCIS Policy Manual Citizenship and Naturalization Guidance.



Moreover, if you have any issues that make your immigration and citizenship situation anything less than run-of-the-mill, you should seek out the advice of an immigration attorney.

Tagged with:

79 Comments on “U.S. Citizenship Through Marriage: How Does It Work?”

  6. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?

    My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it
    appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization.
    Do you know any ways to help prevent content from being ripped off?
    I’d truly appreciate it.

  14. Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site?
    The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

  22. A lot of thanks for all your labor on this blog.

    Kim really loves engaging in research and it’s really obvious why.
    Almost all hear all relating to the dynamic way you convey both
    useful and interesting items by means of the web site and
    even cause response from website visitors on this content then my princess
    has been starting to learn a lot. Take advantage of the rest of
    the new year. You’re the one doing a fabulous job.[X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills
    and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
    Either way stay up the nice quality writing,
    it’s rare to look a great blog like this one these days.

    Have a look at my webpage; Purely Roots CBD

  35. Aw, this was a very nice post. In thought I wish to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means seem to get one thing done.

  47. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info particularly the last part I care for such information much. I was looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  53. You really make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I to find this topic to be actually one thing that I feel I might never understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely vast for me. I’m having a look forward on your subsequent put up, I will attempt to get the cling of it!

  56. Howdy! This article couldn’t be written much better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I will send this information to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!

  59. Throughout the awesome design of things you receive a B+ just for hard work. Exactly where you lost me was in all the particulars. As it is said, the devil is in the details… And it could not be more accurate in this article. Having said that, let me inform you what exactly did work. Your writing is certainly really engaging which is possibly why I am making the effort in order to opine. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. 2nd, whilst I can easily notice a leaps in reasoning you come up with, I am not certain of how you seem to connect the details that make the actual conclusion. For the moment I shall yield to your position however trust in the foreseeable future you link the facts better.

  68. Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely excellent. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.

  70. Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous web site.

  72. Can I simply just say what a relief to discover an individual who truly knows what they’re discussing online. You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people need to check this out and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you are not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.

Leave a Reply