Interview Documents for 5 Year N-400

[Autumnal 25]

I finally received that coveted Request for Applicant to Appear for Initial Interview letter today. I have a little over a month before my interview in Detroit. Ensue much dancing as the end is almost in sight.

I applied for my N-400 on the basis of 5 years of permanent residency in the US. The list of documentation required seems very scanty -- my permanent resident card, my driver's license, my passport, and two passport photos. Is that right? Should I be prepared to bring other things, such as copies of my taxes; evidence of residency; something else?

[John9981 9]

I'm also applying under 5yr rule. I've heard tax returns for sure but as far as I know they rarely ever asks other documents.

[Autumnal 25]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a few copies from prior years somewhere around here, and I'll see what I can round up. My 2012 returns are already filed, and I suppose the best I can show is my H&R Block receipt.

[FlipgalRN 19]

Having almost completed my n-400 journey I suggest if you have any traffic violations bring proof of your record being cleared of any fines. It helped in my husband's case and avoided any prolonged delay.

[Autumnal 25]

Having almost completed my n-400 journey I suggest if you have any traffic violations bring proof of your record being cleared of any fines. It helped in my husband's case and avoided any prolonged delay.

I'm not aware that I do. Is there any way to check?

[NickD 203]

Asking for proof of paid minor traffic violations is totally unfair, no where in the instructions does the USCIS state to prove those fines were paid. States you don't even have to list them. In our state, failure to pay a fine, even a five buck parking ticket results in the police coming to your home, taking your driver's license and the license plates from that vehicle that received that fine.

Pulled this on my stepdaughter, told her to go back in and show your driver's license as proof as a four year old minor 50 buck fine was paid, could have gone in with her as a witness, since I had to pay that fine when she was a minor. But she said no. Ended up calling my senator's office, took care of that instantly. What's with some of these IO's when they can't even follow their own rules?

I did prepare her with tax and grade transcripts, never wanted to see that, not even her driver's license, just her green card, they already received and cashed that $680.00 check. She also had two passport photos, but they didn't even use the ones we sent in. Use the photo they took of her at biometrics printed on regular paper in low resolution.

Easiest way to check if you have any violations is to contact your auto insurance agent, they have all of that stuff.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

It's a good idea to have tax transcripts (not returns) with you, although you may not need them. You can order tax transcripts free of charge from the IRS, can have them mailed, faxed or pick them up.

[formywife 9]

I also applied on 5yrs rule and took folloing documents with me :

1. Interview Appointment Letter

2. Green Card.

3. Social Security Card

4. State Driver's License

3. Passport

4. Two US passport Size Photo

5. Selective Services Registration Card

6. Tax transcript of last four years from IRS

7. Employment Verification Letter from my Employer.

8. I had two traffic tickets and both tickets were dismissed in court hearing.I had Case Dismissal order Letter from Court. ( I had not mentioned about this in N-400 form but I mentioned about it in interview)

7. I had traveled out of US after I had done fingerprinting. I also took copy of my flight Itinerary.

9. Photocopy of all items listed above.

10. Civics question booklet to study while waiting for interview in Immigration office.

These are all Documents I took with me and IO was interested in my Selective Service Registration Card and Court Order. He said he does not need any other documents.

Referring to my court documents and copy Selective Services Registration Card,IO had told me that he is quite impressed with me because I came well prepared. He said that I made his job easy by bringing original and photocopy of these items.

Good luck on your N-400 Journey.

[Autumnal 25]

I also applied on 5yrs rule and took folloing documents with me :

1. Interview Appointment Letter

2. Green Card.

3. Social Security Card

4. State Driver's License

3. Passport

4. Two US passport Size Photo

5. Selective Services Registration Card

6. Tax transcript of last four years from IRS

7. Employment Verification Letter from my Employer.

8. I had two traffic tickets and both tickets were dismissed in court hearing.I had Case Dismissal order Letter from Court. ( I had not mentioned about this in N-400 form but I mentioned about it in interview)

9. I had traveled out of US after I had done fingerprinting. I also took copy of my flight Itinerary.

10. Photocopy of all items listed above.

11. Civics question booklet to study while waiting for interview in Immigration office.

This is a great list. I'll add the SSC, employment verification, and the flight itinerary for a recent trip back to Canada.

[mozplay 29]

Just a reminder, that what they want are all passports or travel docs since becoming a PR. So if your current one does not go all the way back, take the one before too. What they want them for is to check that the dates you listed as being out of the country on your N-400 match up with your travel stamps. They won't (can't) keep them. The IO will review them and give them back at the interview.

[Autumnal 25]

Because I'm a Canadian, the passport is never stamped for re-entry unless I fly. I've done that only once. I can't provide travel documents for those short trips unless I try to scrounge up the odd itinerary or receipt. Should I be okay?

[Billabong 0]

If you take in multiple passports, will they take any from you or request you denounce a citizenship?

[newlyweds2010 208]

If you take in multiple passports, will they take any from you or request you denounce a citizenship?

you mean a foreign passport? How could they (they who? the USCIS?) take it away, it's not theirs. a Canadian passport is property of Canada (and being Canada a Dominion of the United Kingdom, that very passport belongs to Her Majesty).

Also, they will not request you to renounce any citizenship. It may be your country of origin that does not allow dual citizenship. The US allows it. So does Canada. No stress.

Edited April 28, 2013 by newlyweds2010

[Billabong 0]

...thanks....that makes me feel a lot better..........

I know they "allow" dual...but was not sure about multiple.

[BebaJP80 1]

Just take the documentation that you get requested (the "famous" yellow letter). If you had traffic violations, go the court and ask for a certified copies of your traffic violations and a letter where it states you don't have any open or pending cases as well.

If they ask for your passport, its just to check in case you went out of the country. I used to cross the border and never got my passport stamped, because I showed my green card.

The IO will not take your passport away.

At the end the IO will review your application and that's it.