Apply as perm. resident or perm. resident married to US citizen?

[Bobbis2000 0]

Hi,

I am a Canadian citizen and have been married to a U.S. citizen for 13 years. I have been a permanent resident for 12 years.

I am filling out my n-400 to become a U.S. citizen and don't know whether to file as:

a) Permanent resident for at least 5 years

b) Permanent resident for 3 years and married to US citizen

I am thinking "a" since I will have to send in less paperwork such as evidence of marriage, etc.

Is there any advantage to applying as a spouse of a U.S. citizen or am I fine applying just as a 5 year permanet resident?

Thanks,

Rob

[aaron2020 11,652]

Hi Rob,

Go with "a." It's simpler.

No need to complicate your life by filing under the spousal rule. You need more paperwork and it doesn't get you anything more than "a" which is US citizenship.

Good luck.

[Shub 78]

Yep, since you're eligible, just apply based on 5 years of residence, it's easier.

Just to share a bit of my experience, I applied based on 3 years of residence + marriage even though I would have been eligible to apply based on 5 years of residence. At the interview, when going over my application with the officer, she told me she would change my application so it would be based on 5 years. I didn't want to argue or go into the reasons why I applied the way I did, so I rolled with it. In retrospect I imagine it was because 1) I met the requirements, and 2) it was less work for her.

[NatzG 3]

I had the same option—applying under either the 5 or 3 year requirements. I chose the 5 year option because less paperwork was required.

[newoption 1]

I also decided to apply under the 5 year permanent resident Less paperwork Good luck!!

[Bobbis2000 0]

Thank you for your input everyone. My application for Naturalization goes in the mail today.

Thanks,

Rob

[mamaSue 38]

I was also in the same boat....I filed under the 5-year rule, because it meant chasing less paper.