N-400 Documentation

[LastSurvivor 0]

I have finally decided to get the n-400 process behind us and submit the paperwork for my wife to obtain citizenship. I think I have everything worked out but had just a few questions for the board if possible.

It seems like this is fairly easy in terms of paperwork required unless I'm missing something. I went through the checklist and put everything I needed to include on one piece of paper and I'm checking it off as I get it.

Does my birth certificate need to be an original or will a copy suffice?

I was married twice before and have included copies of the final divorce decree. Do I need to include any other pages of the divorce agreement?

I'm waiting on tax transcripts for the past 3 years. Do I need to include any other financial documentation such as bank statements, utility bills etc. I do not recall seeing that it was necessary with tax transcripts.

How long did you wait for tax transcripts from the time you ordered them? I did this by phone so I'm hoping it will be fairly quick.

I'm shooting for mailing it out so it arrives on/around 11/1/2010.

Thanks as always for all the help visajourney has offered through the years.

Rich and Thisa

[v333k 59]

The way I understand is submit what is requested in the checklist. If they need anything else, they will notify you by mail. They will ask you to bring certain items with you on your interview day.

Never send originals. Anything you send they will keep. Send copies and if they ask for originals, take them to your interview and don't let them take them. Always have originals and copies so if they wish to keep them you can just them a copy.

Edited October 21, 2010 by v333k

[Susan73 5]

If you asked for Tax transcripts to be mailed it takes 5-10 days.

After you call the 1800 #, enter your SSN and then hit 0# a number of times, a real live person will answer after making you wait for ever.

If you have a fax # and are near the fax machine, they will fax all transcripts to you in 5 mins.....I tried it and got all the papers faxed to me.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

First off, it's nice that you're helping your wife with the paperwork but at the N-400 stage, you are completely out of the picture. The applicant applies for the applicant, and the applicant is your wife, not you.

Mail a copy of your birth certificate and have your wife take a certified copy of it or your passport with her to the interview.

No other paperwork than the divorce decrees. Wow, you get married a lot! How often do you upgrade to a newer model?

Only the tax transcripts. I ordered them by mail and waited 14 days the first time and 16 days the second time.

[imconfused 0]

Under what conditions does one have to provide tax transcripts? My understanding is that as long as you've not stayed out of the country for more than 6 months at a time you don't have to submit tax transcripts. I was looking through the application process myself, and other than the N400, copy of green card and photos, it doesn't appear as though I need to send in anything else. What am I missing?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If filing based on the marriage, the tax returns provide proof that both are still filing together as a married couple. They are also provide proof that the applicant is in good standing with the IRS and that he or she has not lied when marking the field on the N-400 in the affirmative where it is asked: "since becoming a lawful permanent resident, have you ever failed to file a income tax return."

Final words of wisdom: tax transcripts are a good thing in any case; they are necessary when filing based on the marriage rule, which means when filing earlier than 5 years after becoming a LPR.

[Susan73 5]

First off, it's nice that you're helping your wife with the paperwork but at the N-400 stage, you are completely out of the picture. The applicant applies for the applicant, and the applicant is your wife, not you.

Mail a copy of your birth certificate and have your wife take a certified copy of it or your passport with her to the interview.

No other paperwork than the divorce decrees. Wow, you get married a lot! How often do you upgrade to a newer model?

Only the tax transcripts. I ordered them by mail and waited 14 days the first time and 16 days the second time.

LOL..New Model eh!!! funny fellow u are...

and to the confused person here...Just like Funny Bob and V333k said - TAX TRANSCRIPTS ARE A MUST..Unless of course you want to waste your time sending an incomplete set and have them send it back to you etc...

Under what conditions does one have to provide tax transcripts? My understanding is that as long as you've not stayed out of the country for more than 6 months at a time you don't have to submit tax transcripts. I was looking through the application process myself, and other than the N400, copy of green card and photos, it doesn't appear as though I need to send in anything else. What am I missing?

I'll tell you what ur missing..TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPTS...thats whats missing.

Call that 1800 # and talk to someone, give them a fax # and you will have all 3 transcripts faxed to you promptly...