Rights to Citizenship Through Marriage in the U.S.
- Naturalization is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. Naturalization is available to immigrants to the U.S. who hold green cards and are permanent residents.
- Permanent residents and green-card holders often apply for citizenship because of the benefits available to citizens. Some of those benefits include the opportunity to obtain a passport, vote, serve on a jury, obtain government employment and run for public office.
- When a legal alien who is a permanent resident holding a green card marries a U.S. citizen, that legal alien has the opportunity to become a naturalized citizen.
Three years after the date of the marriage, a permanent resident can apply for citizenship. - If you have married a U.S. citizen, you can apply for citizenship if you have maintained a physical presence in the U.S. for at least 18 months out of the last three years, you have resided in the U.S. for the three months immediately prior to your application for citizenship, and you have not been convicted of a crime within the past three years.
- To become a naturalized citizen after your marriage, you must pass an exam demonstrating your knowledge of U.S. history and U.S. government, demonstrate your ability to read and write in English, pass an interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly INS) and take the oath of allegiance.