Citizenship Process Questions: Separation & Child

[Az Parris 0]

My apologies ahead of time if this has been brought up multiple times before. I read through several pages on this forum, but didn't find an answer yet.

Our history:

I am a natural born US citizen. I had a previous marriage to a natural born US citizen, had a child, and then divorced in the early 2000's. That child (my daughter) is now an adult (23) and moved out.

In 2005 I bring my fiance' over from Russia (met through a coworker), as well as her child from her previous marriage. We are married in December of 2005.

In 2008, we apply for and eventually get her temp Green Card. In 2010 they changed that to a 10 year Green Card.

Around 2011 we separated. We sill live in the same physical house, but she "rents" my in-law suite downstairs. We get along SO much better as friends than we did married. My step-daughter didn't have to change schools this way either. We are still technically married, but have been separated for almost 4 years.

It is now 2015 and time for her to start working on her Citizenship. She requested I ask on here what she needs to do in our situation. Which I didn't mind to do at all.

Her daughter (my step-daughter) just turned 14 in August.

What needs to be done for both of them to become naturalized citizens? They've been here, legally, for 10 years. We've been technically married all 10, but separated 4 years ago, even though we still share the same house. Does the daughter automatically get hers when the sorta-ex-wife gets hers? Or will she have to file separately? Does our marriage situation matter at this point, since she's been here for 10 years? We still technically share a bank account (her name is still on the account, though she still has her own as well), and the house mortgage is still in both our names.

Thanks ahead of time!

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

Mom files for naturalization based on the 5 years rule on her own. Your marriage does is not material under the 5 years rule. When she becomes a USC, her daughter will automatically become a USC under the Child Citizenship Act.

[Az Parris 0]

Hi,

Mom files for naturalization based on the 5 years rule on her own. Your marriage does is not material under the 5 years rule. When she becomes a USC, her daughter will automatically become a USC under the Child Citizenship Act.

Thanks! So, does she just fill out the one I-400 (I think) form and that's it? Or is there a separate form for the 14 year old? Fee for just the mom, or do both have to pay? Biometrics for one or both?

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

One form for her. Biometrics only for her.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Thanks! So, does she just fill out the one I-400 (I think) form and that's it? Or is there a separate form for the 14 year old? Fee for just the mom, or do both have to pay? Biometrics for one or both?

Mom is the only one that needs to naturalize. There is only a form for her. Once mom becomes a USC, her daughter automatically becomes one too. Since its automatic, nothing needs to be done. It's a good idea though to get a U.S. passport for the daughter as proof of her citizenship.

[Az Parris 0]

Again, thanks!

So, since she'll be filing by herself, what paperwork will she need to bring to interviews, send in with forms? Other than copies of her green card, driver's license, etc.? Will she need bank statements, bills in her name, etc.?