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The Daily Insight

Do you automatically become a US citizen through marriage?

Author

James Williams

Published Mar 12, 2026

Citizenship through Marriage Isn’t Mandatory If you are married to a U.S. citizen and you also have five years of permanent residence in the United States, you can likely have two different options for filing Form N-400. USCIS does not require you to apply for citizenship based on the marriage.

Does marrying an American guarantee citizenship?

Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not guarantee a green card or U.S. citizenship.

Do you automatically get a green card when you marry a US citizen?

Requirements for the Beneficiary (Applicant Requirements) The beneficiary, or person who is applying to receive a green card, is generally automatically eligible to receive a green card once they are lawfully married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

What happens when an immigrant marries a US citizen?

An immigrant who marries a U.S. citizen must apply for a green card (U.S. permanent residence). After successfully obtaining a green card, the immigrant spouse can, after three years as a permanent resident, apply for U.S. citizenship.

Can I stay in America if I marry an American?

Once you marry, your spouse can apply for permanent residence and remain in the United States while we process the application. If you choose this method, file a Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). Filing instructions and forms are available on our Web site at www. uscis.

Can someone be deported if married to a US citizen?

Can you be deported if you are married to an American citizen? The answer is yes, you can. About 10% of all the people who get deported from the U.S. every year are lawful permanent residents.

How much does 2020 Citizenship cost?

What are the Citizenship by Naturalization fees? As of 10/14/2020, $725 is the current fee to become a U.S. citizen. This total includes a $640 fee for processing the Form N-400 and an $85 biometric services fee. Both the filing fee and the biometrics fee are non-refundable.

Can I be deported if married to US citizen?

What happens if an American marries a Nigerian?

After your marriage in the U.S., your new spouse can apply to USCIS for a green card, through a process called adjustment of status (the primary form for which is the I-485). The two of you will attend a green card interview at a local USCIS office.

Can getting married Stop deportation?

Getting married does not stop deportation. You must prove your marriage to USCIS and then adjust your status with the Immigration Judge. If your adjustment of status is granted you become a permanent resident and your deportation proceedings are over at the time the Judge grants your case.

How can I get citizenship for free?

The application for U.S. citizenship, known as Form N-400, is among the immigration forms for which an applicant can request a fee waiver. The fee waiver application consists of Form I-912, which you will need to submit to USCIS together with your application and documents supporting your need for the waiver.

How long does it take to get US citizenship 2020?

The average processing time for citizenship (naturalization) applications is 8 months as of May 31, 2020. However, that’s just how long it takes USCIS to process Form N-400. The entire naturalization process has several steps and takes an average of 15 months.

Can a US citizen marry a Nigerian?

Marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident provides foreign-born persons a direct path to U.S. immigration. You can also choose to get married first in Nigeria or another country, and then apply for an immigrant visa with which to enter the United States. (This visa is the equivalent of a green card.

Is it better to get married in the US or Philippines?

It’s better to get married in the Philippines if you plan on staying in the country for good right after getting married. By contrast, if you get married in the U.S. while on a K1 or the Fiancé /Fiancée Visa, the waiting time will only be 3-6 months. You’ll also get to live with your spouse while waiting for the visa.

Can a person come back to US after deportation?

If you were ordered removed (or deported) from the U.S., you cannot simply turn around and come back. By the terms of your removal, you will be expected to remain outside of the country for a set number of years: usually either five, ten, or 20.

What is the fastest way to get US citizenship?

The fastest way to get a US green card is through sponsorship from an immediate relative. Unlike other permanent resident visa categories, the IR visa is not subject to quotas or lengthy waiting periods. You are eligible for this visa if you are a spouse, child under 21, or parent of a current US citizen.

Can a US citizen live permanently in the Philippines?

Yes, under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, Section 13 (a) you are eligible for permanent residency in the Philippines. This visa is issued to an alien on the basis of his valid marriage to a Philippine citizen. He was allowed entry into the Philippines and was authorized by Immigration authorities to stay.