How long to get US Citizenship?

[getcr1 0]

Hi all! I have received my 10 year green card, and realized that I am able to apply for my citizenship as I am coming up to 3 years being in the states and married to a US Citizen. I have decided that I would like to apply to become a US citizen, but am under the understanding that the process can take a long time. Do you have timelines as to how long it took to get your citizenship? (from the time you applied to the time you received your American passport?) My husband and I actually wanted to go on a year long trip abroad from September, but we figure if my 3 year anniversary in the US is coming up in July, we may as well delay our trip so that I can obtain citizenship before venturing abroad. Anyone have any timelines? I was hoping it would only take 3-6 months but I have read on other sites that people are saying up to 2 years which would be too long! I would be filing from Vermont.

Thanks!

[English Muffin 59]

3-6 months is probably about right for most people, but it's no guarantee. You can apply 3 years from the date you became a PR minus 90 days.

ETA. You can check out the timelines on here to see how long other people took.

Edited May 13, 2013 by English Muffin

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hi all! I have received my 10 year green card, and realized that I am able to apply for my citizenship as I am coming up to 3 years being in the states and married to a US Citizen. I have decided that I would like to apply to become a US citizen, but am under the understanding that the process can take a long time. Do you have timelines as to how long it took to get your citizenship? (from the time you applied to the time you received your American passport?) My husband and I actually wanted to go on a year long trip abroad from September, but we figure if my 3 year anniversary in the US is coming up in July, we may as well delay our trip so that I can obtain citizenship before venturing abroad. Anyone have any timelines? I was hoping it would only take 3-6 months but I have read on other sites that people are saying up to 2 years which would be too long! I would be filing from Vermont.

Thanks!

The citizenship process shoudl take approximately 9-12 months if everything goes smootly. You will not get your citizenship by September. IMHO, keep the trip and apply based on the 5-year rule after you get back stateside.

Good luck!

[jkelly07 120]

when you file the n-400 it should take 4 to 5 months- you file in 3 weeks you receive a biometric letter appointment have you finger prints and photo taken some times you can do early walk in at the center if it's not to far from your home then after that you wait and hope no RFE letter 6 weeks later you should get appointment letter for 3 or 4 week s if and after you pass the test some times the oath ceremony is the same day or you will be giving a appointment for the oath ceremony.as least that's how mine was good luck to you.

[getcr1 0]

Thanks for these replies! I am intrigued by this statement: "You can apply 3 years from the date you became a PR minus 90 days." Why minus 90 days? Does this mean I can actually apply 90 days BEFORE my 3 years? What is considered the 3 years from your PR date? The date that you originally received your first green card, or the date that is stamped in your passport? (Maybe these are the same dates?) How do I also view other peoples' timelines for this? We had originally thought to leave Sept 2013, but now we are hopeful for Jan 2014...

[English Muffin 59]

Yes, you can apply 90 days prior to your 3 year date. Everything you need to know can be found in the N-400 instructions here http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/n-400instr.pdf

Your PR date is on your Green Card. The Immigration Timelines link can be found at the top of this page.

Edited May 13, 2013 by English Muffin

[getcr1 0]

Since I got married in Japan, I had a CR1 which gave me my initial green card (2 years) and then I got my new 10 year green card for 10 years a few months back. I know this is a stupid question, but I imagine it is the date on my first green card? I took a look at the timelines, and it looks like for Vermont, there were only about 7 or 8 timelines - I calculated them being anywhere from 6 months to 10.5 months, which is a long time! Does anyone know if there is any way to expedite the time in between the biometrics and the interview? That seems to take the longest. The reason why I say this, is because we plan on doing a big 1 yr travel trip before starting a family, and let's be honest, I am getting old pretty quick so every year counts as I am in my mid thirties.

[getcr1 0]

actually I just realized I am not the Vermont office, but the Dallas office...Does anyone know if there is a difference sending stuff by regular mail versus express mail? will my application be processed faster?

[English Muffin 59]

It will be faster by however many days it gets there quicker...probably about 3.

Your 'Resident Since' date will be on your new card.

Edited May 13, 2013 by English Muffin

[English Muffin 59]

How long the whole process takes will depend on your Field Office, not the place you send your application. You'll need to look that up, I suggest you use Google.