N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

Context // My wife is a US Citizen residing here with me in the United States (Salt Lake City). I entered the United States on a CR-1 Immigrant Visa which was obtained through the Direct Consular Filing (DCF) when my wife and I lived in London, UK. For those that might be interested, I documented my entire CR-1 journey here in hopes that it would help those embarking on the process in the near future, answer some questions, and remove some of the stress.

Since we had been married for less than two years at the time of entry to the United States, the Immigrant Visa I received was conditional and the Green Card I received as a result [Form I-551], was only valid for two years after entry. In order to remove the conditions of my permanent resident status, I had to complete the I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence process. Again, for those that might be interested, I documented my entire I-751 journey here in hopes that it would help those embarking on the process in the near future.

Life is really good, we're happily married, established in our jobs, bought a home in April 2015, and our first child was born in September 2015. Alas we find ourselves approaching what is hopefully the final hurdle in the overall process; the N-400 Application for Naturalization. I have a few questions, but will likely have more as we try to navigate the process so I figured I would open a new thread.

I've now begun pulling documentation together and preparing the N-400 package to send at the beginning of April 2016. Here are a few of questions out of the gate;

1. If I’m remembering correctly we submitted only photocopies when submitting documents in the past [CR-1 & I-751 Processes]. Is it sufficient to submit photocopies of documents [Marriage Certificate, Passports, Birth Certificates, etc] for the N-400 process, assuming of course that I will bring the originals with me to the interview?
2. When I prepared evidence of ongoing marital union for the I-751 Process, I included documentation from when we began dating, not simply from when we entered the US. Am I expected to provide similar evidence of ongoing marital union as part of my application for naturalization?
3. For the N-400 package, I’m preparing to include the following, but would welcome any input on what might be missing;

Many Thanks,
Rich.

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

Yes.


Yes - from the approved I-751 to the present.


Nothing jumps out at me! :)

Ian

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

Hi Ian,

Thanks so much for the quick response, I've really appreciated you and Rene helping me navigate all of this over the last few years.

This is a huge relief! If I'm understanding correctly, I do not need to submit evidence of the relationship from the very beginning, but simply from when I submitted my I-751 through to when I submit my N-400. :thumb:

With the CR-1 and I-751 processes it felt like I was sending everything but the kitchen sink! With my N-400 application, do you think I should include a selection of shared utility bills, insurance policies, vacation travel documents, etc as evidence of ongoing marital union?

To me, it has all seemed like overkill in the past, but by the same measure I have never received an RFE which is a plus -- not that there's necessarily any direct correlation.

Many Thanks,
Rich.

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

We submitted a few recent bank statements, a few recent mortgage statements, proof of joint health insurance, proof that hubby is beneficiary on my life insurance and 401K, and tax returns.

Rene

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

'Recent' being the operative word. As Ian kindly pointed out I don't need to submit evidence of the relationship from the very beginning, but simply from when I submitted my I-751 through to when I submit my N-400. This will save me submitting evidence from the past five years like I did with my I-751! :thumb:

Thanks Rene, I'll prepare to do the same when I submit this in April :)

Rich.

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

Umm... this: "Evidence of Ongoing Marital Union -- Birth Certificate for Child of N-400 Applicant & US Citizen Spouse" pretty much demonstrates your ongoing marital union! :) Everything after that is pretty much an addendum!

Ian

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

That worked for us. :nod:

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

That's a fair observation Ian, well stated! :rofl: I think the problem is the CR-1 and I-751 processes have taught me to make zero assumptions and to evidence just about every breath I take! Whew!

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

From posts here at BE, I understand that following the Oath Ceremony there are often booths set up on site for you to:

- Register to Vote
- Apply for a US Passport
- Update your Social Security

I understand the first two, but what exactly do I need to update with the Social Security folks? Should I expect a new card, number, or something?

Thanks, Rich.

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

There aren't always booths set up. Depends on location, some do some don't.

SS need to update their database record to show you are now a citizen, they need to see your naturalization certificate to do this. You do not get a new number but I think you will be sent a new card.

Register to vote, obviously they need to see your certificate.

Passport. At mine it was just an information booth, no applications being processed. You have to apply at certain specified locations, specific post offices, town halls etc because as a first time applicant someone has to manually check your application before it is sent off. Your certificate is sent off with your application and returned later. Take a photocopy of it before you send it.

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

So the time has come, and I'm finally preparing the materials to submit my N-400 Application for Naturalization. As I print off photocopies to send (marriage certificates, bank statements, utility bills, birth certificates, tax returns, etc) I'm beginning to wonder...do I actually need to bring to the interview, the originals of everything submitted in my application? Seems a little like overkill, but didn't want to assume.

Many Thanks, Rich.

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

Yes, and you will probably place the packet on the desk where it will sit for the next hour, after which you will pick it up and take it away with you. :rolleyes:

Back in 2007, my interview was an hour long, which appeared to be standard, of which 10 minutes was spent on the matter in hand, including answering six questions on US history and government. The rest was spent shooting the breeze about, in no particular order: the Falklands war, the Gulf war(s), Saddam Hussein and other Middle Eastern despots, the (then current) Afghan war and previous conflicts in Afghanistan, the method of government in the UK, the Royal family, the history of the Royal family, including Henry VIII and the creation of the Church of England, and how it relates to the government of the UK, including the Act of Union, renovating houses, in the UK and US, rewiring work and electrical standards, plumbing, roofs, and other sundry construction topics, such as hardwood flooring, crawlspaces and the joys of working in them, and how to deal with the dirt, damp, and the bugs and critters you might find down there. It was a busy hour!

Er, YMMV. :o

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

SSA needs to update your records to show naturalization/citizenship as it impacts estate taxes if your wife dies before you.

It is assumed that the good people here will walk you through the naturalization process, just as they walked you through every other process, so that you don't have to think much about it and can post your process for prosperity :thumbup:

BTW don't you already have copies from the other processes? You can use those you know.

Also they are lagging in getting naturalization applications done these days. Apparently, Trump's call for all foreigners to become citizens so they can vote, have overwhelmed the district offices. It has taken a friend nearly seven months in Texas just to receive notification via email that an interview will be set up soon.

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

What a slacker! In 2004, I was in and out of my interview in 8.5 minutes... and that included the questions and chit chat time.

Ian

Re: N400 Process & Preparation Questions
 

If it's a choice, I'm opting for the 8.5minute version like you Ian(!) :thumb:

Did you bring the originals of everything you submitted with your application?

Thanks, Rich.