Naturalization for spouses of US citizens: General eligibility requirements

Spouses of US citizens may typically be eligible for naturalization under the INA’s Section 319(a). If you are the spouse of a US citizen and want to apply for naturalization, you must:

• Be a green card holder for at least three years and be in a marital relationship with the same spouse during this period and up until the time of applying for naturalization and scrutiny of the application (some spouse of US citizens may be eligible for naturalization under Section 319(b) of the INA, irrespective of their time as a green card holder).
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have lived in the state (or in the USCIS district with dominion over where you live) for at least three months before filing the naturalization application
• Have been a permanent lawful resident of the US for at least three years at the time of applying for naturalization
• Have continuously lived in the US from the time of filing the application to the time of decision on the application
• Have remained physically present in the US as a permanent resident for at least 1.5 years during the last 3 years
• Have the ability to speak, write, and read English
• Be well-informed about and have good understanding of the US history and government
• Have a good moral character and follow the laws and Constitution of the US

If you are the spouse of a US citizen who is employed abroad by the US government or another eligible employer for at least one year, you may qualify for naturalization under Section 319(b) of the INA. For such applicants, the eligibility requirements would remain the same as above, except that the specific time period pertaining to the permanent resident status of the applicant, the continuous residence, physical presence, and marital union may not apply. However, the spouse of the applicant must be a US citizen and the applicant must be in a legal marriage with his/her spouse at the time of applying for naturalization and up until examination of the application.

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