Naturalization while separated

[Laura310]

I want to apply for my US citizenship. On basis for eligibility, am I supposed to still put spouse of a US citizen if my husband and I are separated? We are still legally married since 2008 got my green card in 2009 through marriage but we’ve separated since 2017. So I don’t know if I’m still supposed to put spouse of US citizen and if not then what do I put on basis for eligibility? Help please

 

[SusieQQQ]

If you‘ve had your green card for 5 years, which you have, you don’t need to naturalize as spouse of USC - the spouse route is more complex as you need to prove when you lived in “marital union” (and you don’t qualify on that basis if you’ve been separated for so long anyway)-so unless someone wants to naturalize under the 3-year rule, which you don’t need to, it’s always easier to go the normal route. Obviously you will answer factually all the questions on the form about spouse/marital status etc.

so short version, the basis for naturalization is having a green card for 5 years.