So when can I become a Yank?

[bestofboth 1]

Hi all,

Silly question here....

I received my green card (based on marriage to a US citizen) on Feb 3, 2010 and have since applied and had my conditions removed. I read somewhere a while back that I would be eligible to apply for citizenship 3 months before the 3rd anniversary of receiving my green card, which would be Nov 3rd. However I can't find where I read this now and so I'm starting to wonder if I might be imagining things...?!

I also remember reading somewhere that it's not advisable to apply for citizenship right away - that you should give it at least a week before applying. But this doesn't really make sense to me as that would mean there is an element of subjectivity in the review process - the fact that they could reject you because you're too eager.... seems silly.

Anyway, would really appreciate if someone could help to clarify these two things for me - thanks!

[midge and isi 8]

Yes- 3 years from the anniversary of your green card you can apply as long as you meet the other requirements for N-400. Look at the guide about conditions that restrict you

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=598da2f39b1ab210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=598da2f39b1ab210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

I have never seen anything about waiting- as soon as you meet the requirements become a 'yank'!

[JustWatching 1]

You can apply 90 days ahead of your 3 year annuversary. Do wait a week, time and time again, on this forum you find people that got their 'math' wrong and were rejected because they were off by a few datys. You have waited this long, 1 more week is not going to kill you.

[Darnell 8,478]

So when can I become a Yank?

When the Greeks reckon time by the kalends ......

or

during a span of time that represents 90 days from the end of the 3rd year in which your first green card was issued (check it, check the date there)

Good Luck !

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So when can I become a Yank?

If your card says resident since Feb 3, 2010 then you can become a Yank Feb 3, 2013 and not before. You can put in your application 90 days early, but your interview will not likely happen until close to your eligibility date of Feb 3. Then you will wait until your office schedules a naturalization ceremony where you take the oath of citizenship. On that day you will be a Yank. Some offices do same day as the interview oaths, but at others it may be the next month or longer. It depends on how the local USCIS office chooses to do it.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

As the others have said, 90 days before your 3 year greencard anniversary (NOT 3 months- it can be a few days different and they will reject you for filing even a day early).

The reason it is often suggested to file 80 days or less is not because you would be denied, but because ironically, filing right at 90 days can actually make the process longer- if your office is quick and you get biometrics and interview done well within the 90 days, ie you still have not reached the 3 year anniversary, they sometimes put your file on a "wait" pile as they cannot schedule your oath ceremony to happen before the anniversary. This can (anecdotally) add several weeks to your naturalisation. Keep in mind there is nothing forcing you to file for naturalisation- you can wait until after your anniversary or indeed, never file at all.

[TBoneTX 45,329]

The advice above is accurate and excellent. However, I thought that we're referred to as "Colonists"...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The advice above is accurate and excellent. However, I thought that we're referred to as "Colonists"...

Not at my house. On naturalization day, the hubby mused, "Wonder what my Dad would think of me becoming a Yank?" Apparently childhood dinner table conversations stuck in his head are of Dad telling something the "Damn Yanks" were up to. And not in a happy tone of voice.

[NickD 203]

Questionable as to whether you count the day of your third anniversary or the day before, to be safe, count the day of your third anniversary, then backwards exactly 90 days, then send in your application a couple of days later. USCIS is overly critical on dates, like being a couple of days older than 18 to tailgate your mom, have to wait another couple of years.

Yank only applies to living in the northern states, if applying in the south, still have rebels down there. Never even knew I was a Yankee until I went down south. Tease my British friends about taking us back, paying off our national debt and giving us free health care. They reply, no thanks.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yank only applies to living in the northern states, if applying in the south, still have rebels down there. Never even knew I was a Yankee until I went down south. Tease my British friends about taking us back, paying off our national debt and giving us free health care. They reply, no thanks.

Depends on where you live. To the Brits, all Americans are Yanks.

To US southerners, Yankees are those annoying smartypants northerners who don't even say "please", "thank-you", "yes Ma'am", or "no Sir".

[bestofboth 1]

Wow - thanks everyone! I'm in SoCal not sure if that counts as a "northerner" or not but yes to Brits all Americans are Yanks or "Bloody Yanks" to be more precise.

I shall calculate exactly 90 days before the day of my acceptance and then add a week to be safe. Haven't even started going through our dreaded evidence box yet so it's unlikely I'll even be ready to file any time before then. Yay! On my way to Yankdom

[Darnell 8,478]

[fyi - YankDom is some sexual reference, so be wary when asking how to 'get there' face to face with USCitizens, aye? ]

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Wow - thanks everyone! I'm in SoCal not sure if that counts as a "northerner" or not but yes to Brits all Americans are Yanks or "Bloody Yanks" to be more precise.

I shall calculate exactly 90 days before the day of my acceptance and then add a week to be safe. Haven't even started going through our dreaded evidence box yet so it's unlikely I'll even be ready to file any time before then. Yay! On my way to Yankdom

The 80-day rule is very sound. I could swear I invented this, but people are catching up quickly. There are in fact cases where you'll make it to the interview stage in less than 80 days. However, thanks to the holy days this will not happen in your case.

Now . . . the reason why I even bother to reply . . . since you brought it up, here is the list of documents you'll need regarding your evidence, and it's in compliance with the VJ guides. Many wanna-be Americans have problem with the word "OR," and since you are showing first symptoms, let me save you some unnecessary work:

Evidence needed for N-400 stage:

1) 3 years of tax transcripts (not returns).

Yes. That's it. All of it.

[NickD 203]

The 80-day rule is very sound. I could swear I invented this, but people are catching up quickly. There are in fact cases where you'll make it to the interview stage in less than 80 days. However, thanks to the holy days this will not happen in your case.

Now . . . the reason why I even bother to reply . . . since you brought it up, here is the list of documents you'll need regarding your evidence, and it's in compliance with the VJ guides. Many wanna-be Americans have problem with the word "OR," and since you are showing first symptoms, let me save you some unnecessary work:

Evidence needed for N-400 stage:

1) 3 years of tax transcripts (not returns).

Yes. That's it. All of it.

The key and only person that does not know the legal definition of that word, "OR". for the three year marriage privilege is your IO. They can request any other form of evidence they so desire if they have any doubts that you are married and living together. Sponsoring US citizen spouse still has to show proof of US citizenship, proof that they are free to marry, and proof of their marriage with a marriage certificate. The applicant must also show proof they were free to marry.

Filing joint taxes is not proof you are living together, may want to see proof of either joint home ownership or a joint signed lease. Then may want to be sure you are just not applying to gain citizenship then getting a divorce, so may want to see an insurance policy listing the applicant as the beneficiary. You may be rejected if you signed a per-nuptial agreement.

Don't have to show any proof of any traffic violations under 500 bucks, but can cause further delays if you don't bring in proof you paid those fines.

In regards to bringing in evidence or lack of it, all boils down as to how many trips you want to take to your local office. You are not dealing with a board, but one individual

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The key and only person that does not know the legal definition of that word, "OR". for the three year marriage privilege is your IO. They can request any other form of evidence they so desire if they have any doubts that you are married and living together. Sponsoring US citizen spouse still has to show proof of US citizenship, proof that they are free to marry, and proof of their marriage with a marriage certificate. The applicant must also show proof they were free to marry.

Filing joint taxes is not proof you are living together, may want to see proof of either joint home ownership or a joint signed lease. Then may want to be sure you are just not applying to gain citizenship then getting a divorce, so may want to see an insurance policy listing the applicant as the beneficiary. You may be rejected if you signed a per-nuptial agreement.

Don't have to show any proof of any traffic violations under 500 bucks, but can cause further delays if you don't bring in proof you paid those fines.

In regards to bringing in evidence or lack of it, all boils down as to how many trips you want to take to your local office. You are not dealing with a board, but one individual

The person who started this thread got his greencard from work. There is nothing about his marriage, divorce, or housemate to be shown.