If one is married to a USC and has yet to receive his GC pending name check. If he receives the Permanent Residency card say after 3 years of marriage. Since being married for 3 yrs, can he apply for citizenship or does he have to wait 3 yrs from residency which would then be over 5 yrs of marrriage to get his citizenship.

Thanks,
Hipop

The N-400 has the eligibility requirements listed... but marriage alone does not constitute eligibility or begin the eligibility clock.. there is a minimum residencey requirement (3 years if married and living with a USC)

You can not file for citizenship until 90 days before the 3rd anniversary of the date you got approved for your Greencard... regardless of the fact that you will have been married for more than three years...

I was approved for AOS on Nov 9th 2005

I will have been married for 3 years on April 9th 2008

I can apply for citizenship in Aug 2008 (90 days before Nov 9th 2008 the 3rd anniversary of my approval) amd if I meet all the eligibilities and pass the required test then I can become a Citizen....

Kez