NATURALIZATION (UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP)

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8.1)... When can I apply for United States citizenship?
8.2)... Am I obligated to apply for United States citizenship? If not, why should I?
8.3)... Special Note: Be sure to notify the Social Security Administration after Naturalization

Section 8.0...NATURALIZATION (UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP)

8.1)...When can I apply for United States citizenship?

A...As a spouse of a US Citizen, you can apply for citizenship 3 (three) years after approval of your Adjustment of Status. Back at the AOS interview, your passport was stamped with the I-551 stamp and a date. The 3 year countdown begins with that date. This 3 year period does not include long absences from the United States.

If you came to the United States on a K2 visa, you can apply for citizenship 5 (five) years after approval of Adjustment of Status, as only spouses of US Citizens are eligible to apply for Naturalization after 3 years. However, if a K2 is very young, it is possible that they may be naturalized along with the parent, if the parent becomes naturalized before the K2 turns 18.

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8.2)...Am I obligated to apply for United States citizenship? If not, why should I?

A..You are not obliged to become a United States Citizen.

Probably the most logical reason to become a Citizen is to release your US Citizen spouse from the legal obligations of the I-864 affidavit. The financial responsibility of the I-864 is a liability to the US Citizen spouse which should be removed at the earliest opportunity.
As a United States Citizen, you can vote, be a juror in the criminal process, apply for employment in areas reserved for Citizens, and obtain a US passport. US Citizens are treated differently than permanent residents by the Internal Revenue Service in matters regarding inheritance and estate taxes. As a naturalized US Citizen, criminal infractions will not automatically result in deportation, as they may with a permanent resident.
Retaining citizenship in your home country may involve continuing responsibilities regarding taxation or military service.

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8.3)...Special Note: Be sure to notify the Social Security Administration after Naturalization

Note...Go to your SSA office ater your Naturalization and show them your Natz Certificate so that the SSA computer system knows you are a citizen so that when other government agencies try to confirm your citizenship status with the SSA they can actually confirm it instead of saying you aren't one, thus resulting in your having to go through additional time and trouble in order to prove it to a whole bunch of different people/agencies.

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Updated February 22

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