Question about addresses

[chrism08873 0]

My wife wants to proceed with applying for her US citizenship.  We are concerned what address to use if asked on any related citizenship forms - we recently moved out of our old apartment (lease expired) and we are staying with family while searching for a suitable place.  This process could take a while as we have just started.  Question is, should or could we use our relatives address for any forms that ask for a US address or should we wait until we find our new address and then apply?  Does it make any difference or is it just important to prove you have been in the US the entire time without major interruptions?

 

Thanks
Chris

Edited August 11, 2017 by chrism08873

[Going through 5,671]

You can use the address of your family's home so long as that's where you're actually residing.

Make sure you file an AR-11 form (you can do this online for free on the USCIS website to submit the GC holder's change of address, this is important to do this so USCIS is aware of the change of address when sending out notices---even though you will be putting the new address on the N400 form it's required that you submit the AR-11.

 

If you are changing cities/towns by moving in with your relatives you will need to reside in that area for at least 3 months before applying, to adhere to the continuous residence rule.  If your family lives in the same city/town as your old apartment you already fit the 3-month rule.

[marcusa 31]

if your prior apartment rent is in the same state where your current family relative home is , i would suggest you can begin N400 file at this moment, but just be aware that future home address change (filing AR11 form of course) may potential cause issue to your application processing or document delivery.

 

if they are two different states, then you need to satisfy the 3-months rule in the new state before filing N400 ,even though you already meet the 3 or 5 year-rule. 

 

for safe purpose, the address on your driver license needs to match the address you put into the N400 form (what's your current permanent address ? ). i dont know if this is a read flag, but i will match them even the current living place(sharing with parents or relative family ) is temporary. cuz the IO wouldn't know or care about that. as long as you claim this address is my home address and is "permanent "...that's it.

Edited August 11, 2017 by marcusa

[chrism08873 0]

Thanks for the responses guys.  Here's my question now - my wife doesn't drive and never applied for a license since arriving here (I encouraged her to do so but it never materialized).  Does that mean she needs to get a license or will the N400 form will reference my license?   Thanks

[Going through 5,671]

2 hours ago, chrism08873 said:

Thanks for the responses guys.  Here's my question now - my wife doesn't drive and never applied for a license since arriving here (I encouraged her to do so but it never materialized).  Does that mean she needs to get a license or will the N400 form will reference my license?   Thanks

You do not need to have a drivers licence to file for the N400...you misunderstood what the other poster was saying above about matching addresses.  Once you start getting utility bills, lease, new bank statements etc. in both of your names at your new place you will have more evidence that your new address is where you both are residing.  Plus the AR-11 form will reflect her new address so that is sufficient as well.

 

As a suggestion, on an aside, it's a really good idea for your wife to at least have State ID (non-drivers ID) if she does not wish to have a driver's licence.  It's not required, but it's a good idea to have for many ID-related purposes.   I've lived in NY for 13 years and never got a drivers licence either here.

Edited August 14, 2017 by Going through

[marcusa 31]

12 hours ago, chrism08873 said:

Thanks for the responses guys.  Here's my question now - my wife doesn't drive and never applied for a license since arriving here (I encouraged her to do so but it never materialized).  Does that mean she needs to get a license or will the N400 form will reference my license?   Thanks

it's surprise to know your wife doesnt have driver license or state ID .

 just curious, what ID is she nromally uses ? Passport, green card or else ? one of my friends,not close friends, doesn't drive and has no state driver license. He has to bring passport most of time,which gives him lots of unconvenience.  it also has risk of be lost, stolen, or damaged. Replacing a new passport is way diffcult than thought. the same as replacing green card. 

 

it's better to get a type of  state-issued ID for people who dont drive. 

[jxn 86]

Just want to chime in and also highly recommend that OP's wife gets a non-driver state ID. A driver license or state ID is the most common form of ID and will be most easily recognized and validated by people in day-to-day life (bank tellers, receptionists, bartenders, bouncers, et cetera), and is arguably the easiest and cheapest form of identification to replace, as replacing the green card is costly and replacing the foreign passport involves fees, wait times, and a visit to one's local consulate.

[bonjour2017 15]

I disagree with the address advice.  You need to prove you have a permanent address in your state. They may ask for documentation showing you truly do live in the address you indicated. I have been in my home for 10 years.  The officer asked me about it and the date that I bought my home. He asked where I lived before that.   I was prepared to show a gas bill showing recurring payments, if asked.  Living with relatives is not a permanent thing and may raise stability issues and your ability to maintain a home.  The process could take a year, why not get your own address first?

[Going through 5,671]

6 hours ago, bonjour2017 said:

I disagree with the address advice.  You need to prove you have a permanent address in your state. They may ask for documentation showing you truly do live in the address you indicated. I have been in my home for 10 years.  The officer asked me about it and the date that I bought my home. He asked where I lived before that.   I was prepared to show a gas bill showing recurring payments, if asked.  Living with relatives is not a permanent thing and may raise stability issues and your ability to maintain a home.  The process could take a year, why not get your own address first?

The physical address does not need to be permanent, it only needs to be in the same State for at least 3 months before filing to fulfill the continuous residency requirement.  If they are moving into the parents' home in the same State they can submit their application from that address.  Once they move into their new home within the same State then they submit the AR-11 within the first 10 days to update their address with USCIS.

[Going through 5,671]

It's also possible she can't wait too much longer before filing due to her GC date, and needs to put in her application sooner rather than later.

It's not uncommon to file right before moving, and if needed she can prove she had to vacate her home by a specific date by referring to her lease if put into question (it most likely won't---USCIS only cares that you reside together, they don't care if you live with your parents or in a cardboard box).  Plus some applicants live with their relatives their whole lives and never maintain their own home anyhow.

 

I do agree, however, that it is easier all-around to move into your new place first before filing, if you can.