How long does it take?

[mandiuk 0]

How long does it take generally from the day you apply to become a citizen until you are one? I live in upstate NY also if we moved to Maine would it make any difference it the length of time? It will be 3 years for me in November does that mean i can apply 3 months before oe would i need to wait until Nov? I will also be applying to lift conditions in May this year.

Thanks

[Lansbury 19]

It isn't three years from your date of entry but three years from the date on your Green Card which says "Resident Since".

We both both entered on the same day and my resident since date is the same as I came in on an IR-1 visa. So if you are a resident since 11-19-06 you can apply in August. The exact date is in my sig August the 21st I think.

As to how long go to the USCIS web site and look how how long N-400 applications take through your local office.

[mandiuk 0]

It isn't three years from your date of entry but three years from the date on your Green Card which says "Resident Since".

We both both entered on the same day and my resident since date is the same as I came in on an IR-1 visa. So if you are a resident since 11-19-06 you can apply in August. The exact date is in my sig August the 21st I think.

As to how long go to the USCIS web site and look how how long N-400 applications take through your local office.

Thanks for the info ....How are you enjoying the USA?

[warlord 72]

How long does it take generally from the day you apply to become a citizen until you are one? I live in upstate NY also if we moved to Maine would it make any difference it the length of time? It will be 3 years for me in November does that mean i can apply 3 months before oe would i need to wait until Nov? I will also be applying to lift conditions in May this year.

Thanks

You can apply 30 days (NOT 3 months) before your 3 year anniversery IF married to a USC.

There is no "general time" one sees citizenship from applying to the N-400. Months to years. Depends on many factors like name checks, the district you're in, backlogs, etc. Everyone is different, though a lot of people see it in 3-6 months some sooner, many later...

[NickD 202]

How long does it take generally from the day you apply to become a citizen until you are one? I live in upstate NY also if we moved to Maine would it make any difference it the length of time? It will be 3 years for me in November does that mean i can apply 3 months before oe would i need to wait until Nov? I will also be applying to lift conditions in May this year.

Thanks

You can apply 30 days (NOT 3 months) before your 3 year anniversery IF married to a USC.

There is no "general time" one sees citizenship from applying to the N-400. Months to years. Depends on many factors like name checks, the district you're in, backlogs, etc. Everyone is different, though a lot of people see it in 3-6 months some sooner, many later...

Generally no rush on USC, have almost ten years to get that done, would be far more concerned with your I-751 to get that ten year green card. You send that exactly 90 days before your 2nd green card date anniversary. That carries a stiff penalty like deportation, would put a big sign on your refrigerator door or bathroom mirror to remind you of that. Look in the lifting conditions section of this broad, thought the USCIS corrected this, but still a whole bunch of people having problems.

[lucyrich 20]

How long does it take generally from the day you apply to become a citizen until you are one? I live in upstate NY also if we moved to Maine would it make any difference it the length of time? It will be 3 years for me in November does that mean i can apply 3 months before oe would i need to wait until Nov? I will also be applying to lift conditions in May this year.

Thanks

You can apply 30 days (NOT 3 months) before your 3 year anniversery IF married to a USC.

The number is 90 days, not 30 days and not 3 months.

And it's before the 3rd anniversary of gaining green card status, not of the marriage (I know you didn't say which anniversary, but many people will assume a wedding anniversary unless the point is clarified).

And that 90 day shortcut only works if you've already completed three full years of being married and living together, and if you meet all of the other requirements on the day you file.

See the box at the bottom of page 22 of the M-476 for details.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

If you are applying based on 5 years as a Permanent Resident or 3 years as a Permanent Resident married to a U.S. citizen, you may file for naturalization up to 90 days before you meet the continuous residence requirement. For example, if you are applying based on 3 years of continuous residence as a Permanent Resident married to a U.S. citizen, you can apply any time after you have been a Permanent Resident in continuous residence for 3 years minus 90 days. You may send your application before you have met the requirement for continuous residence only. Therefore, you must still have been married to and living with your U.S. citizen spouse for 3 years before you may file your application. You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements when you file your application with USCIS.