n-400 form apply online?

[getcr1 0]

i found this link - http://www.us-immigration.com/us-citizenship-and-naturalization-application.jsp

does this mean that you file on line or do you still fill it out on paper? also, i looked at my greencard, and it says my date of entry was July 28th, 2010. Does this mean that I could have applied for citizenship starting from April 28th?

[English Muffin 59]

That link is a private company which will charge you to file, it not a US government website. The N-400 must be mailed off with all supporting documentation.

The relevent date on your Green Card will be the one that says Resident Since. My Green Card doesn't have a date of entry on it.

[Azure30 22]

i found this link - http://www.us-immigration.com/us-citizenship-and-naturalization-application.jsp

does this mean that you file on line or do you still fill it out on paper? also, i looked at my greencard, and it says my date of entry was July 28th, 2010. Does this mean that I could have applied for citizenship starting from April 28th?

Take the date on your green card listed as "resident since" (i'm guessing it's 7/28/10) and plug its 3 year anniversary into the following link (7/28/13) and it'll tell you the earliest date you can file.

http://www.uscis.gov/dateCalculator.html

And yes, the link you provided is a separate entity, a company that will charge you. Stick with www.USCIS.gov

Edited May 14, 2013 by Azure30

[getcr1 0]

This calculator is great! Thanks. Also, a few questions about filling out the form. in section D, it asks if you want to change your name. I still use my maiden name. if I change it on this form, does this mean that my name will be changed for all docs? Does this only legally change my name in the US, or in other countries as well? If I decide to change my name, does this mean I will have to change all other forms of ID with this new name?

Also in Part 2, if I am applying up to 90 days of my 3 yr anniversary date, do I still check off B? (I have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least three years, and I have been married to and living with the same US citizen for the last 3 years, and my spouse has been a US citizen for the last 3 years). If I am short of 3 years becuase I am applying within the 90 days, do I still check this off even though I won't have my 3 year anniversary until 7/28/2013?

Thanks!

[getcr1 0]

and is there a different form rather than the N-400 for those married to US citizens and can apply for citizenship within 3 years?

[English Muffin 59]

No, same form.

[Azure30 22]

This calculator is great! Thanks. Also, a few questions about filling out the form. in section D, it asks if you want to change your name. I still use my maiden name. if I change it on this form, does this mean that my name will be changed for all docs? Does this only legally change my name in the US, or in other countries as well? If I decide to change my name, does this mean I will have to change all other forms of ID with this new name?

Also in Part 2, if I am applying up to 90 days of my 3 yr anniversary date, do I still check off B? (I have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least three years, and I have been married to and living with the same US citizen for the last 3 years, and my spouse has been a US citizen for the last 3 years). If I am short of 3 years becuase I am applying within the 90 days, do I still check this off even though I won't have my 3 year anniversary until 7/28/2013?

Thanks!

1. Section D: Not certain about the name changing stuff. Maybe someone with experience in that field on this forum can answer that for you...

2. Part 2...yes check off B lawful perm resident of united states for at least 3 years.....

3. Same form. Use N-400.

Edited May 14, 2013 by Azure30

[getcr1 0]

Thanks! anyone know if I can travel immediately after submitting the N400 and before biometrics? i want to submit it by May 17th of this week but I will be going to Canada from May 25th to June 10th for a wedding. can I even travel abroad???

[Autumnal 25]

Assuming your green card is valid during the entire duration of your trip...

Yes, you can travel after submitting the N-400. Just remember to keep track of your dates traveled outside the country. I use TripIt to make this really easy to plug into a Word document later (especially if you have itinerary items like plane tickets). You can continue to travel past your interview, actually. If the trip is longer than 24 hours you need to record this so you can make any amendments to your application at your interview.

In section D, a name change approved by USCIS will be legally enforced same as if you got married. Your oath ceremony is witnessed by a judge, therefore you can bring the requisite paperwork to the DMV and elsewhere to change your name. The name change legally applies everywhere, and your ID needs to be updated accordingly*.

*That said, I used my maiden name in Canada throughout the time I was married, whereas I used my married name in the US. I always carried my marriage certificate to address the discrepancy in my Canadian ID-passport/American ID-green card, etc. Not one immigration officer blinked or questioned me extensively in 7 years, whether at the US-Canadian border or abroad. So you can get away with only using your ID in the US to avoid the pain in the backside of changing all ID in Canada, just be prepared with your name change documentation or declare "known by other names" when necessary. It's your call how much effort you want to put in, and Canadian Revenue Agency/IRS never complained either. Go figure.

In part 2, check off B.

[getcr1 0]

all great advice! Since I am applying as a person being married to a US citizen, and I am applying after 3 years of being married, does this mean that I only need to put 3 years of employment, residence, and trips abroad rather than 5 years? If so, did you add any additional notes about this?

[Autumnal 25]

Three years vs five seems to be sufficient. I prefer to note five because I'm overly thorough but prepare three and submit. If you have five as a backup you can quickly deal with the outside possibility of an RFI.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

all great advice! Since I am applying as a person being married to a US citizen, and I am applying after 3 years of being married, does this mean that I only need to put 3 years of employment, residence, and trips abroad rather than 5 years? If so, did you add any additional notes about this?

They are interested about the details for these while you were a perm res - which is the last 3 years - 5 years ago I assume you lived in Canada?

For me - I don;t remember exactly what I put but I think I put 5 years for employment and residence (yes that would mean my old Canadian address and old Canadian job) and then the trips in the last 3 yrs since I'd become a perm res.in the US.

[getcr1 0]

Thanks for all these tips. Yes - I was doing a lot of travel, so if I put my employment outside the US and all my trips outside the US, I would have to do a lot of backsearching..

Another question because you are all so helpful! - I am going to Canada from the 26th of May to June 10th but plan on submitting my application by post on May 25th. Should I include this trip on my application or tell them after since i am technically leaving before I have actually submitted?