How do I become a US citizen?

[clod 0]

I got my green card recently (see timeline) and I was thinking to start the process to become a US citizen, but I have a few questions.

1. My green card is valid for 2 years because I haven't been married with my wife for 2 years yet, can I already start to apply for citizenship?

2. If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

3. How and when do I start the process to become a US citizen?

[akdiver 3]

1. My green card is valid for 2 years because I haven't been married with my wife for 2 years yet, can I already start to apply for citizenship?

No.

If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

No.

How and when do I start the process to become a US citizen?

Go to http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD and follow the instructions.

[KyngSilva 0]

Welcome Clod to Visa Journey.

As per the USCIS website

"If you are applying based on five years as a Lawful Permanent Resident or based on three years as a Lawful Permanent Resident married to a U.S. citizen, you may apply for naturalization up to 90 days before you meet the ''continuous residence'' requirement. You must meet all other requirements at the time that you file your application with us."

You can also go to the site posted above and download the instructions. Based on what you have stated you will have to wait 3 years before you can apply for citizenship.

About your dual citizenship you need to find that out from you country of origin. In your case you would go to the Italian Embassy Website or Consulate and check with them. Or heck just call them up and ask them.

I hope the above helps

Good luck

[lucyrich 20]

If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

No.

Are you sure about that? My understanding is that Italy is one of those few countries that considers naturalization to be a real renunciation of their citizenship.

See here, for example.

Native-born Italian citizens renounce their right to Italian citizenship when they become naturalized citizens of a foreign country.

I'm certainly not an expert on Italian citizenship law, but if this is an area that's of real concern to you, it would be wise to check with someone who really does know Italian citizenship law.

Of course, the US won't make you give up your Italian citizenship...

[antda 13]

Hi Clod,

In answer to your questions, from my understanding (others can correct me on this if I'm wrong):

1) No, you cannot file for US Citizenship now. But now that you have your 2yr conditional green card, you next have to file the I-751 form (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) within the 90 day period before your 2yr conditonal green card expires (you will find this date under the "Card Expires" part of your card). If you don't file this in time, you can be subjected to removal and deportation from the USA. For this stage, you will also have to gather additional financial and personal evidence proving a joint relationship/marriage. Upon filing the I-751, you will then recieve a 10yr unconditional green card (but will have to surrender this 10yr card once you become a citizen and you will get a citizenship certificate instead).

2) It depends on each individual former country as to whether or not you can keep your former country of citizenship. Some countries allow dual citizenship (such as the Canada and the USA), and some countries don't. I don't know what the specific situation is for Italy, so you're going to have to do more research regarding that. Does anyone else here on VJ know about dual citizenship for Italy?

3) You can file for US Citizenship with the N-400 form (Application for Naturalization) once you've met the 3/3/3/ rule, as you gained your residency through marriage. You have to have: 3 years of marriage to the same US Citizen spouse, 3 years of US permanent residency, and 3 years of physical presence residency in the USA. Otherwise, you can file in 5 years like in other non-marriage cases. Based on marriage, you can start filing for Citizenship 3 years minus 90 days and anytime after that.

Hope this helps. Congratulations on getting your green card recently. Good luck on the rest of your immigration journey.

Ant (Looking forward to US Citizenship soon too....)

I got my green card recently (see timeline) and I was thinking to start the process to become a US citizen, but I have a few questions.

1. My green card is valid for 2 years because I haven't been married with my wife for 2 years yet, can I already start to apply for citizenship?

2. If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

3. How and when do I start the process to become a US citizen?

Edited September 16, 2008 by AntandD

[NickD 203]

Clod, your questions were very well covered by other board members.

But in regards to:

1. My green card is valid for 2 years because I haven't been married with my wife for 2 years yet, can I already start to apply for citizenship?

Just want to reemphasize applying for your I-751, you have got to do this and before your conditional card expires.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

[akdiver 3]

If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

No.

Are you sure about that? My understanding is that Italy is one of those few countries that considers naturalization to be a real renunciation of their citizenship.

The U.S. doesn't care, and if he keeps his mouth shut to the Italians, they're not going to care either.

[jundp 191]

If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

No.

Are you sure about that? My understanding is that Italy is one of those few countries that considers naturalization to be a real renunciation of their citizenship.

The U.S. doesn't care, and if he keeps his mouth shut to the Italians, they're not going to care either.

The Italians may care and that is the point. If he wants to keep his Italian citizenship he may need to get approval from Italy first in order to keep that citizenship. For some countries, you must apply first to keep citizenship and wait for approval BEFORE applying for US Citizenship. To not do so means forfeiture of citizenship from your birth country.

[MIDUVIL 34]

Hello,

The Italians may care and that is the point. If he wants to keep his Italian citizenship he may need to get approval from Italy first in order to keep that citizenship. For some countries, you must apply first to keep citizenship and wait for approval BEFORE applying for US Citizenship. To not do so means forfeiture of citizenship from your birth country.

Can i know where i can find some informations for France, or if you have this information....

thank you

[jean&chard 0]

Hi Clod,

In answer to your questions, from my understanding (others can correct me on this if I'm wrong):

1) No, you cannot file for US Citizenship now. But now that you have your 2yr conditional green card, you next have to file the I-751 form (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) within the 90 day period before your 2yr conditonal green card expires (you will find this date under the "Card Expires" part of your card). If you don't file this in time, you can be subjected to removal and deportation from the USA. For this stage, you will also have to gather additional financial and personal evidence proving a joint relationship/marriage. Upon filing the I-751, you will then recieve a 10yr unconditional green card (but will have to surrender this 10yr card once you become a citizen and you will get a citizenship certificate instead).

2) It depends on each individual former country as to whether or not you can keep your former country of citizenship. Some countries allow dual citizenship (such as the Canada and the USA), and some countries don't. I don't know what the specific situation is for Italy, so you're going to have to do more research regarding that. Does anyone else here on VJ know about dual citizenship for Italy?

3) You can file for US Citizenship with the N-400 form (Application for Naturalization) once you've met the 3/3/3/ rule, as you gained your residency through marriage. You have to have: 3 years of marriage to the same US Citizen spouse, 3 years of US permanent residency, and 3 years of physical presence residency in the USA. Otherwise, you can file in 5 years like in other non-marriage cases. Based on marriage, you can start filing for Citizenship 3 years minus 90 days and anytime after that.

Hope this helps. Congratulations on getting your green card recently. Good luck on the rest of your immigration journey.

Ant (Looking forward to US Citizenship soon too....)

I got my green card recently (see timeline) and I was thinking to start the process to become a US citizen, but I have a few questions.

1. My green card is valid for 2 years because I haven't been married with my wife for 2 years yet, can I already start to apply for citizenship?

2. If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

3. How and when do I start the process to become a US citizen?

question about the 5 yrs physical presence.. does it mean continous presence?

for example after 2 yrs of being a lawful permanent resident i went back in our country to visit and stayed 3 weeks, is that gonna minus the total of my stay? or will i have to start again??

pls help.

thanks!

[akdiver 3]

question about the 5 yrs physical presence.. does it mean continous presence?for example after 2 yrs of being a lawful permanent resident i went back in our country to visit and stayed 3 weeks, is that gonna minus the total of my stay? or will i have to start again??

Once again - the link in post #2 has the answers you seek.

[Stef and Kel 0]

If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

No.

Are you sure about that? My understanding is that Italy is one of those few countries that considers naturalization to be a real renunciation of their citizenship.

See here, for example.

Native-born Italian citizens renounce their right to Italian citizenship when they become naturalized citizens of a foreign country.

I'm certainly not an expert on Italian citizenship law, but if this is an area that's of real concern to you, it would be wise to check with someone who really does know Italian citizenship law.

Of course, the US won't make you give up your Italian citizenship...

Who knows where that site got its information from, but it is false

This is the straight dope:

http://www.esteri.it/MAE/IT/Ministero/Serv...ti/Cittadinanza

and no, you don't have to renounce Italian citizenship for American citizenship and have not had to since 1992

K

I got my green card recently (see timeline) and I was thinking to start the process to become a US citizen, but I have a few questions.

1. My green card is valid for 2 years because I haven't been married with my wife for 2 years yet, can I already start to apply for citizenship?

2. If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

3. How and when do I start the process to become a US citizen?

You have to wait for 3 years minus 30 days from the date on your green card.

No, you won't lose your Italian citizenship.

Start by visiting the USCIS.gov site

K

Edited September 25, 2008 by Stef and Kel

[akdiver 3]

Toldya so.

[jean&chard 0]

1. My green card is valid for 2 years because I haven't been married with my wife for 2 years yet, can I already start to apply for citizenship?

No.

If I become a US citizen, will I have to give up my Italian citizenship (passport)?

No.

How and when do I start the process to become a US citizen?

Go to http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD and follow the instructions.

thanks for the link,,

sorry ,i'm not paying attention...

that site answered all my questions regarding "APPLYING FOR NATURALIZATION".

:thumbs: