Permanent Resident timeline to apply for citizenship.

[Haberek 0]

Hello,

I am currently a permanent resident and looking to apply for citizenship. I need some help with the timeline

Based on everything I've read so far, I know that my citizenship will be based on being a permanent resident for the last 5 years without leaving the country for longer than 180 days.

I am category IF1, so will not be applying based in the three year marriage to a US citizen. However, I am not entirely clear on the date I should be looking at to count off my five years.

My green card says that I've been a resident since May 2009, but that's the date when I got my conditional perm. resident status. So far, I thought that I need to count from 2012 when I got my conditions removed, but a friend has told me recently that the two years of the conditional status do count.

So, my question is - can I start the naturalization process or do I need to wait one more year?

Thanks,

Haberek

[arken 4,199]

The initial date on conditional resident card is what it counts.

You were eligible for citizenship through marriage in May 2012 provided you were still married to the same USC spouse.

Even under 5 years rule, were eligible for citizenship in May 2014, so go ahead and file for citizenship anytime.

[aaron2020 11,652]

You are eligible to naturalize now. You've been a green card holder since 2009. The conditional years count.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to USC Discussion Forum~

~Inquiry about USC requirements, not K1-related~

[Haberek 0]

Thanks for the replies. That's great news! So excited!!! It's a bummer I didn't realize it earlier - maybe I would have had been able to vote in this year's elections.

BTW, I got married last year and changed my last name. My SS and DMV info have been finally changed. Now, I am just waiting for the hard copy of my driving license to come in the mail and will have everything changed. I haven't changed the Green Card info yet because didn't have the hard copy of my DL to submit.

Any thoughts on the best way to go about the name change and naturalization process? Do I need to change my last name first or can I somehow combine the two processes? The name change by itself costs $400+ and it would be nice to not have to pay that if there is a way.

Thanks again for all the help.

[aaron2020 11,652]

Under state law, you can legally change your last name to match your spouse. You do not need to go about any other name change.

File for naturalization using your married name.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hello,

I am currently a permanent resident and looking to apply for citizenship. I need some help with the timeline

Based on everything I've read so far, I know that my citizenship will be based on being a permanent resident for the last 5 years without leaving the country for longer than 180 days.

I am category IF1, so will not be applying based in the three year marriage to a US citizen. However, I am not entirely clear on the date I should be looking at to count off my five years.

My green card says that I've been a resident since May 2009, but that's the date when I got my conditional perm. resident status. So far, I thought that I need to count from 2012 when I got my conditions removed, but a friend has told me recently that the two years of the conditional status do count.

So, my question is - can I start the naturalization process or do I need to wait one more year?

Thanks,

Haberek

Your residency started with your conditional GC, you were eligible to file for citizenship 3 years from that date, being your visa was based on you being married to a USC. You could have applied for citizenship in 2012

Thanks for the replies. That's great news! So excited!!! It's a bummer I didn't realize it earlier - maybe I would have had been able to vote in this year's elections.

BTW, I got married last year and changed my last name. My SS and DMV info have been finally changed. Now, I am just waiting for the hard copy of my driving license to come in the mail and will have everything changed. I haven't changed the Green Card info yet because didn't have the hard copy of my DL to submit.

Any thoughts on the best way to go about the name change and naturalization process? Do I need to change my last name first or can I somehow combine the two processes? The name change by itself costs $400+ and it would be nice to not have to pay that if there is a way.

Thanks again for all the help.

Don't worry about changing your name on your GC, when you file your N-400 there is a question asking about name change, you can put your married name there to accomplish the name change without paying any fees to USCIS for a new GC.