N-400 Document Checklist Items

[npson 0]

Hi,

I am about to ask what could be deemed an embarrassing question. I am currently completely the N-400 form to apply for US citizenship on the basis of marriage to a US citizen.

The checklist asks for me to evidence that my spouse has been a US citizen for the last 3 years, using, "the inside of the front cover and signature page of your spouses's current US passport".

What do they mean by the "inside front cover'? I ask becauset he "inside front cover" of my wife's US passport is just artwork with no information relating to her. Page 2 is in fact the page that includes her picture / details followed by the "signature page" on page 3.

Am I meant to be sending the picture page of my wife's passport and signature page because the "inside front cover" as mentioned is just artwork?

I called the US passport hotline and they said they do not have the form in front of them and would refer me back to the instructions - which is in fact the point of confusion right now.

Would greatly appreciate your help in getting this resolved!!

[Doodles08 6]

It's easier to send a copy of your Wife's birth cert if she is a natural born American.

[charmander 692]

Hi,

I am about to ask what could be deemed an embarrassing question. I am currently completely the N-400 form to apply for US citizenship on the basis of marriage to a US citizen.

The checklist asks for me to evidence that my spouse has been a US citizen for the last 3 years, using, "the inside of the front cover and signature page of your spouses's current US passport".

What do they mean by the "inside front cover'? I ask becauset he "inside front cover" of my wife's US passport is just artwork with no information relating to her. Page 2 is in fact the page that includes her picture / details followed by the "signature page" on page 3.

Am I meant to be sending the picture page of my wife's passport and signature page because the "inside front cover" as mentioned is just artwork?

I called the US passport hotline and they said they do not have the form in front of them and would refer me back to the instructions - which is in fact the point of confusion right now.

Would greatly appreciate your help in getting this resolved!!

They basically want a proof that your spouse has been a US citizen for at least 3 years. Inside the front cover is the page with the photo/name/issuance and expiration dates, place of birth, etc. If your spouse's passport is less than 3 years old, send a copy of birth certificate or certificate of naturalization though.

[npson 0]

Thanks for the responses. Should have clarified that my wife was born in the US.

Thanks Doodles08, You mentioned easier to send certificate vs copy of the specified pages of the US passport, curious to know how so?

Charmander, thanks for clarifying, that's what I thought too, the way it is worded on the form is what threw me off as the photo page with name and so forth is page 2 not the "inside front cover". In that case, I will go sending a copy of the picture and signature page.

[akihon 129]

Thanks for the responses. Should have clarified that my wife was born in the US.

Thanks Doodles08, You mentioned easier to send certificate vs copy of the specified pages of the US passport, curious to know how so?

Charmander, thanks for clarifying, that's what I thought too, the way it is worded on the form is what threw me off as the photo page with name and so forth is page 2 not the "inside front cover". In that case, I will go sending a copy of the picture and signature page.

If your wife has been a USC from birth, then there would be no questions asked if you sent in a copy of her birth certificate (I did this).

A passport doesn't really show that the person has been a citizen for how long ... just how long the passport is valid for from whatever date it was issued.

Edited June 16, 2016 by akihon

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Oh sweet baby Jeezus. You are so British it cracks me up. My husband can overthink everything as well. Be sensible. A photocopy of artwork will not prove anything, will it?

[akihon 129]

Oh sweet baby Jeezus. You are so British it cracks me up. My husband can overthink everything as well. Be sensible. A photocopy of artwork will not prove anything, will it?

LOL

[npson 0]

It's the forms and the way they are worded coupled with the advice given by the customer service line which is follow what it says in instructions! lol

My wife was born in the US, my wife's birth certificate is not in the best of condition at all, which is why I was leaning towards her US passport (one of the recommended options) which states her place of birth within the US and using the picture page not the artwork page .

[npson 0]

Hi!

I am pulling together the supporting documentation for my N-400, Item 4a of the checklist states "documents referring you and your spouse: tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages, or birth certificates of children".

How far back do I need to go for documents such as:

• Tax returns - I was planning on sending the last 3 tax returns we filed jointly, is that sufficient enough?
• Bank accounts - do they need actual statements? If so, how many months worth of statements do I need to send?
• Mortgage - I am sending evidence that we own a home tomorrow so that's covered
• Birth certificate of children - sending a copy of this so that is also covered.

Thanks and appreciate the help!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

How far back do I need to go for documents such as:

• Tax returns - I was planning on sending the last 3 tax returns we filed jointly, is that sufficient enough?
• Bank accounts - do they need actual statements? If so, how many months worth of statements do I need to send?
• Mortgage - I am sending evidence that we own a home tomorrow so that's covered
• Birth certificate of children - sending a copy of this so that is also covered.

Thanks and appreciate the help!

It says three years on b and c (copied below from the checklist)

a. Tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages, or birth certificates of children; or

b. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you both filed for the past 3 years; or

c. An IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years.

And if you read the instructions for the N-400 you find--

Evidence that you and your spouse have lived in marital union for at least 3 years at the time you file your

Form N-400. Such evidence may include:

a) Joint bank and credit card statements;

b) Leases or mortgages;

c) Birth certificates of children;

(d) Insurance policies; and

(e) Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you and your spouse filed for

the past 3 years (or an IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years).

They want evidence you have lived together, married, for three years, so three years of evidence ought to cover it. Right?

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

If your wife has been a USC from birth, then there would be no questions asked if you sent in a copy of her birth certificate (I did this).

A passport doesn't really show that the person has been a citizen for how long ... just how long the passport is valid for from whatever date it was issued.

The passport proves the same thing IF the place of birth it references is in the US (which is the case for OP's wife). Edited June 29, 2016 by EM_Vandaveer

[npson 0]

Thanks for all the help. I have completed my pack and getting ready to send it. After reviewing the form, I am now a little confused regarding Part 1. For the purposes of my application, I selected Option B " Have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least 3 years. In addition, you have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse for the last 3 years, and your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the last 3 years at the time you filed your Form N-400".

Little background, I have been a lawful permanent resident for 5 years and 8 months. I was granted this status through marriage to my wife (US citizen). which is why I selected Option B as it has been "at least 3 years" that I have been a permanent resident, in addition, I have been married to and and living with the same US citizen spouse for the last 3 years, and my my spouse has been a U.S.citizen for the last 3 years at the time of filing my N-400.

On the N-400 there is also Option A "Have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years. " Technically, this also applies to me as I have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years too.

Am I okay to go ahead with Option B (given all my previous submissions tied to my green card all related to being married). My pack is ready to be sent but Part 1 has confused me a little bit.... as I also fall into Option A based on timing of application.

Am I okay to just go ahead with Option B?

Thanks

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yes.

You qualify as well on the five years with a green card plan, which allows you to skip all the documentation of being married and living with your wife and her proof of citizenship. Option A is far easier because of less evidence to provide and be evaluated on, but you qualify for both so can go with what you have already done.

[npson 0]

Nich-Nick, thanks for clarifying!

As part of the pack using Option B, I have included:

i) Copy of both sides of my Permanent Resident card

ii) 2 identical color photographs of myself with my name and Alien Registration Number on the back of each photograph

iii) Application fee for N-400

iv) Copy of my wife’s US Passport

v) Copy of my marriage certificate to my wife

vi) Copies of jointly filed tax returns (2015, 2014, 2013) - I only included three years worth based on Option B i.e. last three years. Do I need to provide 5 years worth?

vii) A Deposit Account Balance Summaries for our joint accounts (which also shows the date when we opened the accounts, both our names, current balance) provided by my local bank branch:

viii) Copies of bank statements from our joint checking account for the last 3 years - I only included three years worth based on Option B i.e. last three years. Do I need to provide 5 years worth?

ix) A copy of the deed to our jointly owned home

x) Copies of joint leasing agreements for our previous apartment

xi) A copy of our son’s birth certificate

Thanks!

Edited August 1, 2016 by npson

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Why don't you amend your form to A-permanent resident five years. Send the required documents, which do not include the "if you are applying based on marriage to a USC".

See the instructions page 10-14 https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/n-400instr.pdf for what to mail and what to bring to your interview.

Since they typically want to know about five years of your history and tax filing and travel, and you have five years here, I would go with five. I think the three year thing is when you have only been here three years but get to take the shortcut of being eligible early based on marriage. That person wouldn't have five years of history like you do.