Applying for US Citizenship...with U.S Spouse 5 months pregnant!

[thehaunter275 1]

Hey all,

 

Long time no speak!

 

After immigrating to the US in 2013, as a LPR (married to US citizen), I am now looking into becoming a US Citizen. (Delayed mainly down to COVID).

 

My wife however is pregnant with our 2nd child, so I guess my question is a simple one. What is the current timeline for processing? I wouldn't want to be booked into an oath ceremony, with my wife about to give birth! haha! But, being more practical, how much time is needed for studying/oath ceremony/the whole process, so I'm not too distracted with family life! 

 

Thanks in advance!

 

James R

[Crazy Cat 39,212]

After applying, it could take a few weeks to a year for the interview.  The oath could be same day or weeks after the interview.   It depends on your local office.  My wife successfully passed the test after a couple weeks of studying the official list of 100 questions. 

[Mike E 11,723]

59 minutes ago, thehaunter275 said:

I wouldn't want to be booked into an oath ceremony, with my wife about to give birth! haha

And yet, given how fast most cases are being processed that is a real possibility. At your interview, if it is not same day oath, you can tell the ISO your wife is expecting and advise him that you want the oath to be no sooner than say 2023-10-23. 
 

If you miss oath because she goes into labor, another oath will be automatically scheduled. Two strikes and you are out.

 

If she goes into labor while you  are at the oath ceremony, note that early in the process, you will hand in your gc. Do not expect to see it again after that. So once you show up for oath, you are there for the duration. Maybe you can ask for a quick oath. I would not count on it.

[thehaunter275 1]

I’m wondering then if it’s be easier to hold off until Jan of 2024. My GC doesn’t expire until 2025…

[Crazy Cat 39,212]

I would apply and then address issues if they arise.  I can tell you that being free from USCIS is wonderful!!

Edited June 4, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Redro 4,597]

Where will you be applying? Maybe look into timelines for people from your city to see if on average they’re waiting 4 months or 1+ year… not sure how important having “valid” documentation is and if you’re okay with living with an expired green card while you wait on citizenship to process or if you’re more comfortable with the plan of rescheduling the interview or oath ceremony or interview/ same day oath (tell us your location so we can help you figure out what to expect). 

[M+K IL 102]

Congratulations on both the upcoming baby and naturalizing! The timelines on this site really help - that's what brought me here in the first place.

 

FWIW, when I plug my local field office it estimates ten months but we did our biometrics less than a month after filing, and the interviews will be three months after biometrics so I suspect I'll end up beating the estimate (but our cases are probably simpler than average)

 

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

[M+K IL 102]

12 hours ago, Redro said:

if you’re okay with living with an expired green card while you wait on citizenship to process

Per https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-policy-to-automatically-extend-green-cards-for-naturalization-applicants

 

Make sure you bring your N-400 receipt notice in that case as that is the proof that your GC is automatically extended for 24 months