N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

A couple of years ago, I had to travel home in a family emergency. My passport had expired so the embassy expedited me a new one. They kept the original.

I'm trying to piece together my travel history for the past five years and it's hard without having that record. Any ideas where I can get this information?

Thanks

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

If you Mum is still around try her..they know everything ...

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

I did. She has no records of my existence. How accurate do I have to be?

Will "I went two weeks in October sometime" suffice?

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

14 days Oct 200X is good enough
no dates in your passport

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

You can look at your checkbook/credit card details and see if you have a ticket purchase anytime.

You can call the airlines, maybe.

You can check old phone bills for a 2 week gap in calls

Or you can just guesstimate a bit.

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

Ask them for your old PP back...most unusual for it not to be returned. :confused:

Check credit card statements.

Put a little note on the N400 saying the dates are to the best of your knowledge...that's what my husband did and his went through OK. Keep a record of all future trips because you will have to give the dates in when interviewed.

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

hi

I have had this situation before too. and when I was in Australia I just contacted the local immigration people and they were able to give me a printout of all my comings and goings. I would think you could do somthing like that too.

Amanda

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

Did you log them for your taxes? My accountant always asks for the dates I am out of the country (and State) when he does my taxes.

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

Hmm thats interesting??? Do you get any kind of break then? Our taxman has never asked for that and OH is out of the state and / or the country for at least 2 to 3 weeks out of every month? Thanks

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

I'm pretty vague on it but basically there are two reasons I think - one is to allow me to reclaim foreign tax credits for past taxes paid in the UK on certain income that was taxed again in the US (as it wasn't covered by the tax treaty) and, more generally, because you can apparently claim relief on earnings not "earned" in the State where you are paying taxes. I'm sure there is a lot of detail around what can and can't be claimed and I've probably not explained it well - which is why I recommended in one of the other threads today that expatriates get their employer to pay for tax preparation in both countries if at all possible. I'd suggest you ask your tax preparer.

One other note - CA tax law (not sure of other states) apparently says that if you perform any work for your employer on a given day then that should be counted as a work day. My tax advisor recommends I log into my email or voicemail every day I am travelling to maximise the number of out of state days I can claim. again - not completely sure why but the IRS has accepted what he has done for the several years now (He's from one of the big accounting groups and is backed up by UK and US specialists so I hope he knows what he is doing)

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

Cheers for the information shall certainly pass on to our taxman. Thanks ! :thumbup:

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

Attach a separate piece of paper to the application and tell them approximately how many days you have been out of the country and why you don't know exactly. You can them give approximate dates. They just want to make sure you really "qualify" - whcih they would probably be able to confirm more easily than you anway :)

They are not going to be arses about this as you are either at or close to being a citizen. At this stage, it's the easiest process and they welcome you with open arms - unlike most other dealings with BCIS.

Relax, be cool, be honest. You'll be great.

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

Agree with what's been said already. If you honestly can't remember then just remember to be honest.

I wrote mine down and may or may not have been a day off. Just got sworn in last Friday :thumbsup:

Re: N400: How can I tell when I went overseas?
 

Thanks for the advice, guys. Much appreciated.