Green Card to Citizenship for Spouse of U.S. Citizen



Are you a green card holder who is married to a U.S. citizen? You may be able to become a naturalized U.S. citizen through the green card to citizenship process.

Naturalization for Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Spouses of U.S. Citizens have Faster Path from Green Card to Citizenship

If you are married to a United States citizen, you may qualify for naturalization under Section 319(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”). The INA allows green card holders who are married to U.S. citizens to naturalize in a shorter period of time. If you are a green card holder married to a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to naturalize right now. But there are important rules under the INA that you need to be aware of.

Porter Law Office, LLC is a boutique immigration law firm in Columbus, Ohio that routinely assists clients through the complex naturalization process. We have in depth experience helping individuals achieve their dream of becoming a U.S. citizen through the green card to citizenship process.

Contact Ohio immigration lawyer for a consultation to discuss your naturalization options.

General Naturalization Requirements

Pursuant to INA § 316(a), immediately preceding the date of filing his or her application for naturalization, an applicant for naturalization must be 18 years old and must:

• have resided continuously after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence within the United States for at least five years, and during the five years immediately preceding the date of filing his or her application has been physically present therein for periods totaling at least half of that time, and who has resided within the state or within the district of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) of the United States in which the applicant filed the application for at least three months;
• have resided continuously within the United States from the date of application up to the time of admission to citizenship; and
• during all the periods referred to in this subsection has been and still is a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.

Green Card to Citizenship

If you are married to a U.S. citizen, the applicable physical residency period is decreased to three years per INA § 319(a). Therefore, you may qualify for naturalization if you:

• have been a green card holder (i.e., a lawful permanent resident) for at least three years;
• have been living in a marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse during such time;
• meet all the other naturalization eligibility requirements under this section of the INA

Note that the term “marital union” is further clarified and defined under the immigration regulations and U.S. case law. If you have questions about whether your current situation constitutes a marital union under the immigration laws, contact Porter Law Office, LLC.

Contact an Experienced Columbus, Ohio Immigration Lawyer

Naturalization Attorney Representation

The experienced immigration lawyer at Porter Law Office, LLC is dedicated to assisting individuals navigate the complex immigration rules and regulations to obtain the benefit sought. The Columbus, Ohio immigration lawyer has helped numerous individuals obtain U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process. Our boutique immigration law firm is conveniently located outside of Columbus, Ohio in the suburb of Gahanna. If you need help with an immigration issue, or if you have questions on the green card to citizenship process through naturalization (N-400) contact a Columbus, Ohio immigration attorney today for free consultation to discuss your case.