Citizenship through marriage

[MariaAN 0]

I am a Canadian married to an American. I immigrated with a fiance visa with my kids. I am now a greencard holder but my Canadian passport will expire in a year. I was told that I could apply for US citizenship because I am married to an American. Where and how do I find the information/applications that I need? The internet is full of info but I don't know where to start. Thank you in advance! 

[Canerican 242]

First we need to know how long you have been a PR for and how long you have been married for? The requirements to apply for US Citizenship are that you have been married to and living with your American spouse for 3 years and that you have at least been a PR for 3 years minus 90 days at the time you apply. 

 

I would also suggest renewing your Canadian passport even if you are going to get US Citizenship. 

 

 

[MariaAN 0]

1 hour ago, CDN(ON)-USA(VT) said:

First we need to know how long you have been a PR for and how long you have been married for? The requirements to apply for US Citizenship are that you have been married to and living with your American spouse for 3 years and that you have at least been a PR for 3 years minus 90 days at the time you apply. 

 

I would also suggest renewing your Canadian passport even if you are going to get US Citizenship. 

 

 

We have been married and living together for seven years, eight years this summer. PR for seven years now. Do you know where or what steps I need to take to get started in becoming an American citizen? I was told by someone that I could apply for a US passport instead of renewing my Canadian passport. That just seems an oddly simple way to getting citizenship. 

Edited January 30, 2017 by MariaAN

[Jamaican_Gooner 36]

1 hour ago, MariaAN said:

We have been married and living together for seven years, eight years this summer. PR for seven years now. Do you know where or what steps I need to take to get started in becoming an American citizen? I was told by someone that I could apply for a US passport instead of renewing my Canadian passport. That just seems an oddly simple way to getting citizenship. 

You can apply for citizenship under the 5 year rule too as you would produce less evidence then. And while it would be good to have dual citizenship, if your interest in citizenship is driven by passport, why not just renew your Canadian passport, as you would have to file for citizenship and pay that fee then possible wait a few months and then apply for a US passport and wait a while for that plus another fee as opposed to just the Canadian passport fee, unless you have reasons and just want to be a us citizen. 

 

In terms of the steps they are guides on visajourney and the form and instructions are here: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/apply-citizenship

 

All the best 

[NikLR 13,232]

3 hours ago, MariaAN said:

We have been married and living together for seven years, eight years this summer. PR for seven years now. Do you know where or what steps I need to take to get started in becoming an American citizen? I was told by someone that I could apply for a US passport instead of renewing my Canadian passport. That just seems an oddly simple way to getting citizenship. 

It's not quite that simple.  You have to apply for citizenship first with the N-400.  https://www.uscis.gov/n-400   $725 ($640 +$85 biometrics)  You'd need an interview and then an oath ceremony.  After that you can apply for a passport which ranges from $135 to $175 depending if you want the book or the book and card. (I do not suggest the card only.) 

 

Renewing your Canadian passport ranges from $190 for a 5 year to $260 for a 10 year.  

 

Green card renewal at the 10 year point is $455 (may or may not need $85 biometrics). 

Edited January 30, 2017 by NikLR

[MariaAN 0]

2 hours ago, NikLR said:

It's not quite that simple.  You have to apply for citizenship first with the N-400.  https://www.uscis.gov/n-400   $725 ($640 +$85 biometrics)  You'd need an interview and then an oath ceremony.  After that you can apply for a passport which ranges from $135 to $175 depending if you want the book or the book and card. (I do not suggest the card only.) 

 

Renewing your Canadian passport ranges from $190 for a 5 year to $260 for a 10 year.  

 

Green card renewal at the 10 year point is $455 (may or may not need $85 biometrics). 

Thank you. I didn't think it was that simple. It sounds like applying for citizenship with the N-400 is the route I'll be taking. I did a little reading on it, the processing timeline could be 5-8 months. And I could travel if it is less than 6 months, that will not interrupt my continuous residence. Right? I'm just a little concerned that once I start the application process, I may not get to travel back if there were a family emergency. As what happened when I first moved, and couldn't travel abroad till I got my greencard. Thank you again for the information. I greatly appreciate the help. 

[MariaAN 0]

10 minutes ago, MariaAN said:

Thank you. I didn't think it was that simple. It sounds like applying for citizenship with the N-400 is the route I'll be taking. It gets a little confusing regarding my children born in Canada (my husband's step-children). What forms would they need?

 

[canadian_wife 1,829]

You may hold both Canadian and American citizenship, there is no need to choose.  I agree that you should renew your Canadian passport while waiting for your American citizenship to process.  While 5-8 months is idea for naturalization, you can see by my timeline it took me over 2 years.

 

Good luck 

[Canerican 242]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I also believe that while waiting for your naturalization to be approved you should renew your Canadian passport. If you do not renew you very well could run into issues if you have to return to Canada.

[NikLR 13,232]

12 hours ago, MariaAN said:

Thank you. I didn't think it was that simple. It sounds like applying for citizenship with the N-400 is the route I'll be taking. I did a little reading on it, the processing timeline could be 5-8 months. And I could travel if it is less than 6 months, that will not interrupt my continuous residence. Right? I'm just a little concerned that once I start the application process, I may not get to travel back if there were a family emergency. As what happened when I first moved, and couldn't travel abroad till I got my greencard. Thank you again for the information. I greatly appreciate the help. 

Yes trips under 6 months are fine until citizenship.  But hopefully you kept a record of every trip you've made outside the USA as the N-400 asks for that.  Sounds like you adjusted your status.  I didn't have that issue personally since I arrived on a CR1 visa and thus had a green card upon arrival. 

 

I agree with the others to renew your passport with Canada as well.  At least so you have that travel document until you get the US passport, which can take a lot longer than 5-8 months!