USA Citizenship by Marriage

1. Residency3 years · permanent
2. Applyprocessing time varies
3. Citizenshipafter the oath

Country

United States

Program

USA Citizenship by Marriage

Local name

Naturalization for Spouses of U.S. Citizens (N-400)

Type

Marriage Fast-Track

Status

Active

Residency required

3 years

Dual citizenship

Allowed

Visa-free countries

180 destinations

Passport rank

#10 (Henley Index)

Spouses of U.S. citizens may apply for naturalization after three years as a lawful permanent resident, subject to continuous residence, physical presence, and other naturalization requirements. Under the standard spouse route, the couple must have lived in marital union during the three years before filing, and the marriage must continue until the applicant takes the oath. Applicants generally take English and civics tests, subject to statutory exceptions. Those who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 take the 2025 civics test; earlier filers take the 2008 test. A separate statutory route applies to some spouses of U.S. citizens stationed abroad in qualifying employment.

Application fee

$710

• Minimum age 18+
• Police clearance not required
• Medical exam not required
• Interview required
• Language Basic English (reading, writing, speaking) (USCIS English Test)
• Language exemptions Age 50+ with 20yr permanent residency; Age 55+ with 15yr; Age 65+ with 20yr (simplified civics in native language)
• Civics test 2025 USCIS Civics Test (20 questions from 128, 12 correct to pass)
• Oath required

Residency required

3 years

Residency type

Permanent

Continuous

Must be unbroken

Max absence

180 days

Cohabitation

Must live with spouse

Method

Online, mail

Apply from abroad

Must apply in-country

Application type

Open

Official website

www.uscis.gov

Legal basis

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 319; 8 U.S.C. § 1430

The current N-400 fee is $710 online or $760 on paper; eligible applicants may qualify for a $380 reduced fee or a fee waiver. The $710 online fee is the lowest standard filing fee. Applicants filing on or after October 20, 2025 take the oral 2025 civics test: up to 20 questions from 128, with 12 correct required; earlier-filed applicants take the 2008 test. Applicants under INA § 319(a) must be physically present in the United States for at least half of the three-year period (18 months); the exact day count varies with the dates, so there is no fixed day figure. An absence of more than six months but less than one year creates a rebuttable presumption of a break in continuous residence; an absence of one year or more generally breaks it. The oath includes language renouncing allegiance to foreign states, but the United States does not require an applicant to surrender another nationality, and U.S. law permits dual nationality. The route described here is the standard § 319(a) route: some spouses accompanying a U.S. citizen stationed abroad in qualifying employment may qualify under § 319(b), and special overseas procedures apply to certain military spouses under § 319(e). Children do not derive citizenship through this applicant's naturalization application.

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1. Oct 9, 2026
   • Application fee (USD) 760 710

   checked the pathway against the statute and current USCIS guidance (uscis.gov).