How to Become a U.S. Citizen Through Marriage
Meeting and falling in love with someone is an amazing venture. However, citizenship may be an obstacle that is preventing you from being with your fiance. To become a U.S. citizen in order to be with your fiance, you must go through a series of steps in order to make sure that it is legal and to keep you from being deported. Careful planning of your wedding must be made as well, as many times, the application process can take weeks or months. Immediate American citizenship is not possible, as there is a two-year wait period following your marriage before you can apply for it.
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Things You'll Need
- K-1 Visa
- Form I-129F
- Adjustment of Status claim
- Filing fee of $455
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Physical examination proof
- Vaccination records
Instructions
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1
Have your fiance fill out and file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance. This form is to petition to get you, and any children you have, into the U.S. so that you may get married. There is a filing fee of $455 that must be paid in full. Your fiance must list any minor children that are in your custody so that they may be included in the petition. File the form with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Service Center that is in charge of your region.
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Fill out the Packet 3 forms that are issued to you upon approval of your fiance's petition. Include passports and birth certificates for yourself and any minor children in your custody, proof of divorce if you have been married previously, a police certificate from your place of residence and anywhere else you have lived over the age of 16, and police certificates for any dependent children over 16. Return Packet 3 to the nearest American Embassy.
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3
Fill out the information received in Packet 4 upon clearance of your information in Packet 3. In Packet 4, you will need to obtain a medical exam as scheduled in the packet. This packet also informs you of your visa interview date and time.
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Attend the interview session with your fiance and any of your custodial children over the age of 14. Those under 14 do not need to attend. Bring the following information with you to the interview: medical exam results, valid passports, valid birth certificates, proof of divorce if applicable, vaccination records, proof of financial support post-entry into the U.S., police certificates, and proof of your relationship with your fiance with items such as dated photos of the two of you together, plane, train or ticket stubs, hotel receipts, and passport stamps. Should the interview go well, you will be awarded a visa the same day.
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Marry your fiance. After getting married, you will need to apply for conditional permanent residence status. After receiving the conditional status, wait two years for your conditional status to come to an end. At this time, you may apply for permanent citizenship status through the USCIS Service Center with an Adjustment of Status form. Once this has been approved, are a U.S. citizen.
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Tips & Warnings
If you need further help, contact your local immigration office to make sure your forms are correct.
Do not file for U.S. citizenship before your marriage has occurred. You must wait for your files to be cleared, and then get married.
