hELP WITH n-400

[Nemata Musa 5]

I came to the U.S in 2004 with Visa lottery under my father..In 2008, i went back to Africa and marry the most amazing guy in the universe. When i came back, i didnt make any changes to any of my documents. So now am filing my n-400 and want to include my husband since we are now married. My question is,does it matter that am including it now instead of way back in 2008?.. Is there going to be any problem? i filed all my tax returns as single since my husband is in Africa and doesnt work here... Please your input is greatly appreciated...Thanks

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If you are married, whether in the U.S. or in Africa, you are not single. Do you understand that? Thus, you would file your taxes as being married, alone, always should have. Since you are applying for naturalization based on the 5-year residency, I don't think it will have any impact, but you should not make this mistake again, not only because it's false, but also because it costs you money, your money.

On the N-400, you will have to state your martial status. Again, it's "married." The form also asks where your spouse lives. He lives in Africa, which qualifies as "other." This will will in all likelihood cause a question of the I.O. If you get really unlucky, he will check your tax returns in this regard. Again, probably just a wrong move of you, but not a deal breaker. But this is how far this "include him in my N-400" goes.

Once you have become a U.S. citizen, you can petition for your husband by submitting an I-130 to the USCIS. Once all is said and done, he'll apply for an IR-1 visa and will enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.

[CoffeeBeans 1]

If you are married, whether in the U.S. or in Africa, you are not single. Do you understand that? Thus, you would file your taxes as being married, alone, always should have. Since you are applying for naturalization based on the 5-year residency, I don't think it will have any impact, but you should not make this mistake again, not only because it's false, but also because it costs you money, your money.

On the N-400, you will have to state your martial status. Again, it's "married." The form also asks where your spouse lives. He lives in Africa, which qualifies as "other." This will will in all likelihood cause a question of the I.O. If you get really unlucky, he will check your tax returns in this regard. Again, probably just a wrong move of you, but not a deal breaker. But this is how far this "include him in my N-400" goes.

Once you have become a U.S. citizen, you can petition for your husband by submitting an I-130 to the USCIS. Once all is said and done, he'll apply for an IR-1 visa and will enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.

Base on my own experience dealing with USCIS and reading countless stories of posters on this and other message boards, the best strategy to ensure your application get approved is ZERO misrepresentation in all your dealings with USCIS. It is not worth bending some truth in an attempt to expedite/simplify the process, it could end up costing you a lot more than you ever imagine. Just read the stories on this and other similar message boards.

Good luck and cheers