Originally Posted by
Artmo
The US is pretty tough on getting US citizenship: first you have to hold a Green Card for five years before you can apply and getting the Green Card is not easy unless you are sponsored by an employer. The citizenship application and test etc is pretty straightforward, but it may take over a year to complete the process. It is OK to hold dual citizenship for US and UK, but some countries, e.g. Germany require permission form their government to apply for US citizenship.
Probably more info than you needed, but it's raining here
If you marry an American, the wait is only three years. Even then, you can apply early... 60 or 90 days...don't recall that exact number.
My wife and I were married in Brazil a few months after 9/11. She had her permission to enter the US almost exactly 60 days later. She applied for her citizenship in Dec of 04 and took the oath the following May.
Quite the easy straightforward process if you follow the process to the letter.