Are you interested in being a U.S. citizen through marriage? If so, you’re not alone. According to recent estimates, there are nearly 4 million people living in the U.S who are married to foreign nationals.
And while becoming a U.S. citizen by marriage can be long and complicated, it is possible to do it if you follow the right steps.
In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to become a U.S. citizen through marriage in 2024.
We’ll cover everything from the initial application process to the naturalization ceremony and beyond.
So if you’re ready to start your journey to U.S. citizenship, read on for everything you must know.
Table of Contents
- What Is A Marriage Green Card?
- Do You Automatically Become A U.S. Citizen Through Marriage?
- How To Become Us Citizen Through Marriage
- How Do You Apply For Citizenship After Marriage?
- How Long Does It Take To Get Citizenship After Marriage In The US?
- How Much Does It Cost To Get A Citizenship After Marriage In The U.S.?
- What Requirements Do You Need To File For U.S. Citizenship After Marriage?
- What Questions Will You Be Asked During The Marriage Interview?
- What Are The Benefits Of Becoming A U.S. Citizen Through Marriage?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- References
What Is A Marriage Green Card?
A marriage green card permits the spouse of a permanent resident or U.S. citizen to live and work in the U.S. they know the process of obtaining a marriage green card as “adjustment of status.”
To be able to get a marriage green card, the foreign-born spouse must be married to a permanent resident or even a U.S. citizen, and the couple must meet certain other requirements.
If the foreign-born spouse is in the United States, he or she can apply for a marriage green card through the adjustment of status process.
If the foreign-born spouse is living outside the United States, he or she will need to apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy.
The first step in either process is for the spouse of the U.S. citizen or permanent resident to file a petition on Form I-130 with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
Once USCIS has approved the petition, it will be directly sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) if the foreign-born spouse is outside the United States or to USCIS if the foreign-born spouse is inside the United States.
If the foreign-born spouse is living outside the United States, he or she will next need to go for an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy, where he or she will be interviewed by a consular officer and required to submit various documents, including proof of his or her relationship to the U.S.
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Do You Automatically Become A U.S. Citizen Through Marriage?
If you got married to a U.S. citizen, you could automatically become a U.S. citizen through the process of naturalization.
Naturalization is the process whereby a foreigner becomes a U.S. citizen. To be eligible for naturalization, you must meet certain requirements, including:
-Being 18 years of age or older
-Being a permanent resident of the United States for at least a period of 3 years
-Having been married to and living together with your U.S. citizen spouse in the country for at least a period of 3 years
-Meeting all other eligibility requirements for naturalization
If you meet these requirements, you can apply for naturalization by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
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How To Become Us Citizen Through Marriage
If you got married to a U.S. citizen, you would be qualified to apply for a green card (permanent residency). This act is simply known as “adjustment of status.”
If you live in the United States, you can file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with USCIS.
If you are outside the United States, your spouse will need to file an immigrant petition on your behalf.
Once the petition is accepted, you will be notified and will need to complete the application process.
The first step is to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. You will need to include the following with your form:
- A copy of your passport
- Proof of your marriage to a U.S. citizen
- Two passport-style photos
- Your birth certificate
- Proof that your spouse is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Proof of any legal changes to your name (if applicable)
After you have filed Form I-485 and gathered all of the required documentation, USCIS will review your application and schedule an interview with you and your spouse.
During the interview, a USCIS officer will ask questions about your relationship and background to confirm that it is genuine and that you meet all eligibility requirements for permanent residency.
If everything goes well and your application gets approved, you will be granted a green card and will be able to live and work permanently in the United States.
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How Do You Apply For Citizenship After Marriage?
The process of applying for citizenship after marriage is fairly straightforward. After getting married, you and your spouse will need to apply for a green card.
Once you have your green card, you will be able to live and work in the United States indefinitely.
After you have been married for three years (or two years if you are applying as the spouse of a U.S. citizen), then you will be qualified to apply for citizenship.
To apply for citizenship, you will need to fill out an application and submit it to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Along with your application, you will need to submit various documents, including proof of your marriage, evidence of your residency in the United States, and documentation of your good moral character.
Once your application is submitted, USCIS will review it and schedule an interview with you and your spouse.
If everything goes well at the interview, USCIS will approve your application and schedule a ceremony at which you will take the Oath of Allegiance to become a U.S. citizen.
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How Long Does It Take To Get Citizenship After Marriage In The US?
After you get married to a U.S. citizen, you will be able to apply for a green card as an immediate relative. Getting a green card permits you to live and work permanently in the United States. The act of getting a green card through marriage usually takes between 10 and 13 months.
If your spouse is a permanent resident (green card holder), you will first need to file a petition for an alien relative with USCIS.
Once that petition is approved, you will be able to apply for your green card. The process of getting a green card through marriage usually takes between 10 and 13 months.
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How Much Does It Cost To Get A Citizenship After Marriage In The U.S.?
It costs $1,170 to file for citizenship through marriage. This includes the $640 filing fee for Form N-400 and the $530 biometrics fee. If you cannot afford these fees, you may request a fee waiver by filling out form I-912.
You will also have to pay for any additional fees associated with your application, such as the cost of getting copies of your birth certificate or translations of documents.
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What Requirements Do You Need To File For U.S. Citizenship After Marriage?
If you got married to a U.S. citizen, you could be eligible to file for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. The general requirements for naturalization include that you:
-Be at least 18 years old
-Be a permanent resident of the U.S for at least a period of 3 years
-Have lived in the state or USCIS district where you applied for at least a period of 3 months
-Be able to speak, read, and write basic English
-Have a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government
-Be a person of good moral character
-Must take an oath of allegiance to the U.S
In addition to these general requirements, there are specific requirements that apply if you are then married to a U.S. citizen. You must:
-Be legally married to a U.S. citizen (The marriage must be valid under U.S. law, which generally means that it was performed by a licensed officiant according to the state laws where it took place.)
-Your spouse must be a U.S. citizen during the time you file your application (This means that if your spouse later becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen, you will not be qualified to file for citizenship based on your marriage.)
-You must have been living in a marital union with your spouse for at least a period of 3 years prior to filing your application (This means that if you have been separated
What Questions Will You Be Asked During The Marriage Interview?
The interviewer will ask about your relationship with your spouse, how you met, and other personal questions.
They may also ask about your spouse’s family, work, and education. The interviewer will also ask about your plans for the future and whether you have any children together.
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What Are The Benefits Of Becoming A U.S. Citizen Through Marriage?
There are many benefits to becoming a U.S. citizen through marriage. These benefits include:
1. The ability to live and work in the United States.
2. The ability to sponsor your spouse for permanent residency in the United States.
3. The ability to travel in and out of the United States freely.
4. The ability to apply for federal benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare.
5. The ability to vote in federal elections and run for federal office.
6. The ability to obtain a U.S. passport.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It usually takes between 6 and 12 months to be a U.S. citizen through marriage. The process begins with the filing of a petition by the foreign national spouse, followed by an interview at a USCIS office, and finally, a naturalization ceremony.
To be a U.S. citizen through marriage, you must first be lawfully married to a U.S. citizen, and you must meet all requirements for naturalization (including those related to age, residency, good moral character, etc.).
It usually takes between 6 and 12 months to get a green card through marriage. The process begins with the filing of a petition by the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, followed by an interview at a USCIS office, and finally, the issuance of the green card.
The total cost of getting a green card through marriage is typically around $1,760 USD. This includes the filing fee for the petition ($535 USD), the biometrics fee ($85 USD), and the green card fee ($1,130 USD).
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Conclusion
If you’re interested in becoming a US citizen through marriage, there’s no time like the present to start planning.
Our article will tell you all you need to know about the process and help you get started on your journey.
The sooner you start, the better prepared you’ll be when 2024 rolls around. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!
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References
- Immigrationhelp.org– How to Get a U.S. Marriage Green Card (a Step-by-Step Guide)
- Citizenpath.com– Applying for Citizenship Through Marriage
- Ashoorilaw.com– How to Get a Green Card Through Marriage: Step-by-Step Guide
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