A lot of people don’t really know what it takes to become a citizen of the US. When I married my American husband people were surprised to hear I had to apply for a greencard. The next words out of their mouths were usually “don’t you become a citizen automatically after marrying an American?” uhhhh no, you don’t.
Oh, btw, if you still think the Immigration office is still called “INS” you are about 10 years behind in your lingo. It is now called “USCIS” and it is part of the Department of Homeland Security. USCIS = US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and all forms can be found at uscis.gov
Here’s some citizenship trivial for the curious:
- NOTHING is automatic. When you get married, you have to apply for a greencard. You can do this as soon as the marriage is official.
- Once you get your greencard (for me it was 6 months after submitting my application), you get to keep it for 2 years before you apply again to remove the “conditions” tied to it.
- Apply to remove conditions and get your new greencard, which expires in 10 years.
- Now, you can wait one more year to apply for citizenship!
Now that you are up to speed, here’s my timeline!
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 06/19/2012 | Mailed application package |
| 06/21/2012 | Package delivered |
| 06/22/2012 | Application Received |
| 06/25/2012 | USCIS Receipt printed |
| 06/27/2012 | USCIS Receipt mailed |
| 06/28/2012 | Check cashed |
| 06/30/2012 | USCIS Receipt delivered |
| 07/13/2012 | Biometrics appointment notice sent |
| 07/16/2012 | Biometrics Notice received |
| 08/07/2012 | Biometrics appointment |
| 08/23/2012 | Notice asking for applicant to appear at initial interview |
| 10/02/2012 | Test/Interview Appointment |
| 10/18/2012 | Ceremony |
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