Naturalization Process
 

I am a British Citizen married to an U.S. Citizen. We have been married for 7 years and I think it is now time for me to become Naturalized. I read that I can become a citizen after being married for 3 years. However, my Permanent Resident Card states that I have only been a resident since August 2000. Before that I had a (conditional) Permanent Resident Card. I do have a note from INS that says I entered the US as a conditional permanent resident in July 1997. Can I use that date on my application for naturalization or do I have to wait another year until my current card says I have been a resident for 3 years? Is there a way for me to contact the INS and get the actual date?

Thanks,

Re: Naturalization Process
 

In article ,
Sara Muller wrote:
(snip)
    >However, my Permanent Resident Card states that I have only been a
    >resident since August 2000. Before that I had a (conditional) Permanent
    >Resident Card. I do have a note from INS that says I entered the US as
    >a conditional permanent resident in July 1997. Can I use that date on
    >my application for naturalization or do I have to wait another year
    >until my current card says I have been a resident for 3 years? Is there
    >a way for me to contact the INS and get the actual date?

Assuming you got your present card by converting your previous one
with a I-751, so there was no break in your permanent residency, you
should be able to use the July 1997 date, but your current card should
also give that date, so maybe INS screwed up or I'm wrong.

-- Mark

Re: Naturalization Process
 

As spouse of a US Citizen one can
apply after 2 years and nine months.
That's what I think. If that's correct, you
should be eligible to apply sometime
in May of 2003. Talk to an
imigation attorney to confirm if you
can apply right now based on
your permamnent residency in 1997.

Regards
Willy