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N-400 3-Year Rule Checklist: Married to a U.S. Citizen

Citizenship after 3 years married to a U.S. citizen: who qualifies, the documents USCIS asks for with Form N-400 and what to bring to your interview.

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Do you qualify under the 3-year rule?

  • You have had your green card for at least 3 years.
  • You have been married to and living with your U.S. citizen spouse for the last 3 years.
  • Your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for that whole time.
  • You have been physically in the U.S. for at least 18 months of those 3 years.
  • You have lived at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you apply.
  • You stay married to your citizen spouse until you take the Oath of Allegiance.

If one of these is not true for you, the usual 5-year rule may apply instead. USCIS lets you file up to 90 days before you reach 3 years as a green card holder.

Documents to send with Form N-400

Every applicant

  • Copy of the front and back of your green card
  • The filing fee shown on the USCIS form page
  • Two passport-style photos, only if you live outside the United States

Proof for the marriage rule

  • Proof your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the last 3 years: birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, Form FS-240, or the photo and signature pages of their U.S. passport
  • Your current marriage certificate
  • Proof that every earlier marriage of your spouse ended: divorce decree, annulment or death certificate
  • Proof that every earlier marriage of yours ended, if you were married before
  • Documents that name you both: tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages or birth certificates of your children, or IRS tax return transcripts for the last 3 years

Only if it applies to you

  • Documents that legally changed your name
  • For a trip of 6 months or more: proof you kept your ties to the U.S., like IRS tax transcripts, rent or mortgage payments and pay stubs
  • Court records for any arrest, charge or conviction
  • Proof of support for children who do not live with you
  • Records of any overdue taxes and your payment plan
  • Form N-648 for a disability exception to the tests

What to bring to the N-400 interview

Notice and ID

  • Interview notice
  • Green card
  • State ID or driver's license
  • All passports and travel documents, current and expired

Your marriage

  • Originals of the marriage certificate and the documents you sent as copies
  • Proof your spouse is a U.S. citizen
  • New proof of your life together since you filed: a current lease or mortgage, recent joint bank statements, insurance and dated photos Make this part now

Before you go

  • Notes on anything that changed since you filed
  • Any document your notice asks for
  • Practice the civics and English questions out loud

Show your marriage clearly

The officer checks that you have lived in marital union with your citizen spouse for the last 3 years. Joint records from across those 3 years, in order, make that easy to see.

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This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current USCIS instructions for your form, or ask an immigration attorney about your own case.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for citizenship after 3 years of marriage to a U.S. citizen?

Yes, if you have had your green card for 3 years, have been married to and living with your U.S. citizen spouse for those 3 years, your spouse was a citizen the whole time, and you meet the 18-month physical presence and 3-month residence rules.

What documents prove the 3-year marriage rule?

Proof your spouse has been a citizen for 3 years, your marriage certificate, proof that earlier marriages ended, and documents that name you both, like tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages, children's birth certificates or IRS tax return transcripts for the last 3 years.

Do we have to live together?

Yes. The 3-year rule requires living in marital union with your citizen spouse for the 3 years before you file.

What happens if we divorce before the oath?

You must stay married to your citizen spouse until you take the Oath. A divorce before then ends eligibility under the 3-year rule. The 5-year rule may still apply.

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Official references

Case Album is independent software, not affiliated with USCIS. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Read our editorial standards.

Marriage Green Card Interview: What to Bring (Full List)The full list of what couples bring to a marriage green card interview: 128 documents, from IDs and civil records to joint bank, lease, insurance and Costco cards.Bona Fide Marriage Evidence ChecklistA simple checklist of the proof USCIS lists for a real (“bona fide”) marriage on Form I-130, and how to organize what you have.I-751 Checklist: Documents to Remove Conditions on Your Green CardWhat to send with Form I-751 when you file together: green card copy, joint records since the wedding, sworn statements and photos, plus the interview list.How to Write a Relationship Timeline for USCISA relationship timeline is optional. Here is a simple one-page format with examples, if you want to add one to your marriage or fiancé(e) case.How to Organize I-130 Photo EvidenceA simple way to organize your marriage photos for Form I-130: pick good photos, put them in date order and add a short caption to each one.How Many Photos for a Marriage Green Card?USCIS sets no number. How to choose photos that show your life together over time, caption them and put them in one PDF.