U.S. citizenship after 3 years of Green Card

[jcrom 2]

Hello everybody, friends, I have this case. I have been married with a U.S. citizen during 3 years; we have just submitted our paperwork for my U.S. citizenship a few days ago, it arrived on Feb 24th to the Dallas USCIS center (that is usps online receipt). I have to tell that I forgot to send the evidences, but of course I sent the min requirements (2 pictures, money order, copy of green card front and behind). I have not received yet neither the first NOA. I am totally sure that USCIS is going to ask me about RFE (request for evidence), I have good evidence, included joint bank account, bills statements together, and life insurance policies with disability and accidents included, my car insurance appears both names, and we have the lease where we are living right now; we have joint credit card statements together; the issue is that we have made taxes, but we always do our taxes filling separated. I don't know how that issue can impact negatively or not at all. The problem is that my wife does not want and will not to file our taxes together because that it is her personality and I respect her decision. I have just sent the paperwork for Dallas Service Center and I am in Philadelphia Center office, of course. I don't know how tough or difficult the Philadelphia officers are; what I know that they tend to be a little bit intimidated or at least that was the my case when we get the interview more than 2 years ago for my green card. I don't know if that is the general officer attitude and behavior in the Philadelphia Officers specially for U.S. Naturalization after 3 year green card marriage. What everybody think? Is it hard the Philadelphia USCIS naturalization officers? or the process is actually a little bit more easier than a green card? The issue that I have the most of the evidences, but I don't have the taxes together and that it might impact my case? I don't know if every applicant in the interview, the officer ask for everything included the joint taxes. I know that the joint taxes are not obligation, it is obligation to fill for taxes, Please if anybody has had the experience of the citizenship in the Philadelphia Office after a 3 year green card marriage, it would be a nice advice and recommendation, thanks for your attention, J.C.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

All you are required to send is what they require you to send. If they feel you are a fraudster who doesn't live with his wife anymore, they'll send you an RFE. Are you a fraudster, or do you think you come over as a fraudster?

I plan on sending exactly the minimum required. The main evidence that the applicant provides are the tax transcripts for the past 3 years. If they want more, they'll let you know and THEN you'll give 'em more. No big deal, is it?

Edited February 28, 2010 by Just Bob

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You don't need to be filing your taxes together - you can file as married, filing separately. There are many valid reasons for filing separately and it is always in your best advantage to file for the financial situation that is in your best financial interest. You still need to include the tax transcripts - they just show you have filed separately but as married, and if challenged about it, you can always explain the reasons at the interview.

You may or may not receive a request for evidence as you are filing as 3 years married to a US spouse and you did submit the marriage certificate. You may just receive a letter telling you to bring the documents with you to the interview and then you would bring the requested documents plus whatever other documents you feel support your application with you to the interview. It is at the interview where they actually go through your application, ask you any questions and review the documents that support your application.

Ok - the link to the Guide to Naturalization is not working at the moment so I pulled my N-659 "Naturalization Interview Document Check List" that they sent me to see what they told me to bring to the interview. It doesn't state 'joint returns' - just your returns. It states:

"An Original Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1722 listing tax information for the past three years (call IRS toll free at 1-800-829-1040), or copies of the income tax forms you filed for the past three years, and

Proof of marital union as well as proof of residence, " - There is more but that is the relevant information for your question.

I would bring transcripts of your wife's returns as well just in case they want to see them, but only yours are required and it doesn't say 'joint'.

[Lintin 0]

I was exactly in the same position as you. I filed for N400 on January 12, 2010 after being married for 3 years. Just like you did, I just sent in my passport photographs, check, and front and back of my green card. It was later that week I read the N400 guideline and realized I should have sent copies of my husband's birth certificate and taxes. Well, my status online changed to thr RFE-Request for Evidense so I was so sure I would receive a RFE letter from them.

On Jan 28th, I received a letter to take my Biometrics on Feb 8, 2010. I took my Biometrics and I just received a letter a few days ago for my interview which is on March 23, 2010. The only thing they asked me to bring on the interview day is my drivers license. However, the interview letter always recommends bringing any other evidence you have to be on the safe side.

Hopefully your case will be just like mine. Just hang in there till you receive the next 'Notice of Action' from them.

Regarding the taxes, I don't think you should worry about that. If you read page 52 of the 'Guide to Naturalization' under the Document Checklist, you are required to bring either bank accounts, leases, mortgages and tax returns OR Irs certified copies of Income tax returns in the last 3 years. Besides that, other documents they will ask for are your spouses birth certificate/naturalization certificate plus marriage certificate. I didn't even submit any of those but will be taking them to the interview just incase.

Hope that helps.