I am a Canadian citizen. I married a US citizen in 1999 and was granted lawful permanent residence in the US in 2002 (green card). After 11 ...

Question

I am a Canadian citizen. I married a US citizen in 1999 and was granted lawful permanent residence in the US in 2002 (green card). After 11 years of marriage we divorced in 2011. I am applying for naturalization. The document checklist on the back of the guide states, "If you are applying for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen, send the following 4 items" and lists documents for my spouse; tax returns, birth certificates, CURRENT marriage certificate. It also states "If you were married before, send: Proof that all earlier marriages ended (divorce decree(s), annulment(s), or death certificates(s))."

Even though I am divorced, and have been a lawful permanent resident for more than 5 years, I am still required to submit all of my (now ex-wife's) documents of proof of her citizenship, marriage certificate, tax returns, etc, AND proof of our divorce decree?

Answer

Hello:

Not if you apply under the 5 year provision.