Wife has green card, naturalization help

[fudgeypants]

Hello!

My wife has her 10 year green card, and wants to apply for citizenship. She is having a baby, which is due in 2 more months. We are wondering if we should apply now, or wait until after the baby is born. We want to get through the process as quickly as possible.

She wants to take the baby back to Japan in a few months, so we are wondering if we should wait, because once you apply, you are not allowed to leave the USA until approved. Or you have to start over.

Does anyone know how long it takes to naturalize if you already have a green card? Does the baby situation change anything? We are in Seattle.

Thanks,

Fritz

[NKay]

I may not be the best person to reply here but to my knowledge, traveling outside after applying does not affect your case, provided that you keep up with your mail after you're gone and all the important dates/things received in the mail. Another condition is that you do not break the residency period.

As far as processing time, it varies but if everything proceedes in an organized fashion on time, I have been told that the average time is about 6 months. This may vary from place to place (some process in shorter time and some take longer).

Please do keep in mind that once you apply and if anything from the application has changed, you can always bring it up at the interview. Other than that, it is really up to you whether you apply now or later. Congrats for the baby and best of luck.

[mickey_mouse]

Just having a green card, or being pregnant, doesn't automatically qualify you for naturalization. There is a lot of information here - before worrying about travel or not, first make sure she fulfills all the requirements to apply for naturalization

https://www.immihelp.com/usa-citizenship-through-naturalization/