New N-400 Form

[DanTes 21]

There are several questions in secion 11 that cannot be answered by a simple yes or no. For example - questions 7b, 17a, b, 18a, b, 27b, 39 and 40. Instructions state that ALL questions must be answered. How did you guys answer these questions?? I am probably reading too much into the questions.

[Shub 78]

I'm sorry but I don't see a problem with those questions, they're pretty clear cut, and as far as I'm concerned, yes, I can answer them decisively with a yes or a no. Note I didn't read the instructions for the new N-400 because I applied in November before this came out, I just went over the form for the purpose of answering this thread.

7b is about how you filed your taxes while a permanent resident. They want to know if you filed your taxes like you're supposed to. If you didn't, then why is that? 7b specifically wants to know if you didn't file because you considered yourself a non-resident, which would be bad if you had a green card at the time.

17 and 18 are about child soldiering, terrorist or rebel organizations (think Al-Qaeda, Lord's Resistance Army, Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, National Liberation Front of Corsica, Shining Path, etc.), and arms trafficking. I don't presume anything about you, but surely if you had been part of an armed organization that used weapons against people or threatened to do so, or had provided weapons to someone in some way, you would know it? And for 18, I would think if you ran a gun shop, you would say yes to 18 and hopefully no to 18a and b. If you're an arms trafficker, you have bigger problems

Again for 27, this seems easy to me. Have you ever been on probation or parole or whatever? If yes, is your probation/parole over to the satisfaction of the authorities? And if not, then this doesn't apply to you.

And for 39/40, well, are you even in the Armed Forces?

Edited February 14, 2014 by Shub

[DanTes 21]

Have you stopped beating your wife? YES or NO

[Shub 78]

That's not a real question, is it?

[Shub 78]

Also -- if you're eligible to apply before May 5th, and if the questions of the new form bother you, then find the previous version of the form and use that for your application.

[carton025 38]

Yes, I also thought about mentioning using an older version of the N-400. I have one, the version that expired 3/31/2013. But, where does a person not just looking at filing the N-400 obtain an older version?

[Shub 78]

Yes, I also thought about mentioning using an older version of the N-400. I have one, the version that expired 3/31/2013. But, where does a person not just looking at filing the N-400 obtain an older version?

I bet that's going to be a popular topic until May 5th.

There was another thread a few days back asking about that, and someone attached the previous version to their post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/479874-looking-for-the-3222012-version-of-the-n-400-form/

[CatherineTheGreat 0]

Regarding the confusing new N-400

Should those who answered "NO" to Q 38 "Are you currently a member of the armed forces?" answer Q 39 and 40 (both of which begin with "if you are currently a member of the US Armed Forces"), with "NO" or leave them blank?

- answering these 2 questions assumes you are in the armed forces whther you say YES or NO

- not answering them violates the guideline to answer all questions

Same for the many "if yes" questions. Should the A, B follow-up questions be left blank?

Q 17 "Were you ever part of any group..." NO

A. If yes....

B. If yes,...

[Math Man 6]

Regarding the confusing new N-400

Should those who answered "NO" to Q 38 "Are you currently a member of the armed forces?" answer Q 39 and 40 (both of which begin with "if you are currently a member of the US Armed Forces"), with "NO" or leave them blank?

- answering these 2 questions assumes you are in the armed forces whther you say YES or NO

- not answering them violates the guideline to answer all questions

Same for the many "if yes" questions. Should the A, B follow-up questions be left blank?

Q 17 "Were you ever part of any group..." NO

A. If yes....

B. If yes,...

When my wife and I filled out her N-400, we answered "No" to Q38 and left Q39 and Q40 blank, since the wording implies that you should answer Q39 and Q40 only if you are currently a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (which my wife is not). Having said that, I suspect answering "No" to Q39 and Q40 is also acceptable if you are not a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

[CatherineTheGreat 0]

Math Man, thanks! That's what I think: that both are acceptable.

[olegn 0]

I am filling out N-400 now. Got into Part 11.

question 15. Were you ever a member of, or did you serve in, help, or otherwise participate in, any of the following groups:

A. Military unit.

I was serving in Soviet Army in 1998. it was draft. does it count as Military unit?

what should I say "yes" and provide explanations, or No?

[Luis25 3]

Yes its the correct answer explain that you were drafted and for how long. Remember if you put this info on any paperwork before it might comes out, so why risking it.

I am filling out N-400 now. Got into Part 11.

question 15. Were you ever a member of, or did you serve in, help, or otherwise participate in, any of the following groups:

A. Military unit.

I was serving in Soviet Army in 1998. it was draft. does it count as Military unit?

what should I say "yes" and provide explanations, or No?

[SKingy1 0]

Regarding the confusing new N-400

Should those who answered "NO" to Q 38 "Are you currently a member of the armed forces?" answer Q 39 and 40 (both of which begin with "if you are currently a member of the US Armed Forces"), with "NO" or leave them blank?

- answering these 2 questions assumes you are in the armed forces whther you say YES or NO

- not answering them violates the guideline to answer all questions

Same for the many "if yes" questions. Should the A, B follow-up questions be left blank?

Q 17 "Were you ever part of any group..." NO

A. If yes....

B. If yes,...

I am having this problem too!!

What do I do? Leave it? would seem real stupid to say No to say something that contradicts the first answer you gave!

[SKingy1 0]

I decided to leave them blank.