Documents for the interview

[vkhutchings 15]

Hi guys, a couple of questions relating to docs and evidence to take to the interview.

 

Firstly, I'm a bit panicked because despite checking my application thoroughly before submitting online, I've just been getting all of the documents together in a file and double-checking they match up with the answers I gave on the N400, and I have a rental agreement showing I moved to my current apartment on 2/11/2016, but for some bizarre reason I put 2/15/2016 on the form. Is that terrible? Should I try and find a way of correcting it now, or should I just wait until the interview when I go through the N400 with the officer? I feel so stupid, I don't even know how I managed to put the wrong date...

 

Also, I have my rental agreements since I moved to the States as evidence of where I've lived, what dates, and that I've been cohabiting with my husband (I applied under the 3 year rule). Should I have any evidence to back up the addresses I lived at overseas prior to moving over here? I'm guessing they won't be too interested in evidence for that as it's kind of irrelevant to my citizenship, but of course I had to add it to the form because online they ask for 5 years of addresses.

 

Thank you!

[Going through 5,671]

18 minutes ago, vkhutchings said:

I have a rental agreement showing I moved to my current apartment on 2/11/2016, but for some bizarre reason I put 2/15/2016 on the form. Is that terrible? Should I try and find a way of correcting it now, or should I just wait until the interview when I go through the N400 with the officer?

Correct it during your interview.  No worries, it's a very minor error.

 

18 minutes ago, vkhutchings said:

Also, I have my rental agreements since I moved to the States as evidence of where I've lived, what dates, and that I've been cohabiting with my husband (I applied under the 3 year rule). Should I have any evidence to back up the addresses I lived at overseas prior to moving over here? I'm guessing they won't be too interested in evidence for that as it's kind of irrelevant to my citizenship, but of course I had to add it to the form because online they ask for 5 years of addresses.

No need to provide documentation for past overseas addresses from years and years ago, and it's good that you added them.  They are mostly interested in the address(es) you lived in within the US---and especially for at least 3 months before filing--- when determining continuous residency.

 

Your tax return transcripts will further prove your past US residences, too.

Edited August 22, 2017 by Going through

[Going through 5,671]

oh hey it's you---I just noticed LOL!

[vkhutchings 15]

Thanks, @Going through! That's all reassuring. I'm sitting here in the midst of a sprawl of documents trying to get my folder ready and feel super paranoid that I'm going to miss some detail that will cause me to fail the interview. 

 

Also, I've travelled overseas quite a bit, but never for more than a month at a time, and my total number of days is okay (I *think*... because they don't separate out 3 year and 5 year filers online, they included my 2 years of days in the UK before I moved to the US as part of my time overseas, which seems silly). Do I need to make photocopies of all of the entry and exit stamps in my passport, or will showing them my passport pages on the day be enough?

[Going through 5,671]

21 minutes ago, vkhutchings said:

Thanks, @Going through! That's all reassuring. I'm sitting here in the midst of a sprawl of documents trying to get my folder ready and feel super paranoid that I'm going to miss some detail that will cause me to fail the interview. 

 

Also, I've travelled overseas quite a bit, but never for more than a month at a time, and my total number of days is okay (I *think*... because they don't separate out 3 year and 5 year filers online, they included my 2 years of days in the UK before I moved to the US as part of my time overseas, which seems silly). Do I need to make photocopies of all of the entry and exit stamps in my passport, or will showing them my passport pages on the day be enough?

Showing the passport  on the day of, is sufficient.  Remember, they are able to confirm your travel dates through their own databases if need be....and probably already have, at this stage.

 

If the IO wants to photocopy the passport, they will do so during the interview (I've heard this happening).

Edited August 22, 2017 by Going through

[Going through 5,671]

Seriously....VJ should start little in-person support group meetings....lol

 

We'd all be able to compare notes.

Edited August 22, 2017 by Going through

[vkhutchings 15]

4 minutes ago, Going through said:

Seriously....VJ should start little in-person support group meetings....lol

 

We'd all be able to compare notes.

Ha! Right? I don't know how anyone goes through this process without VJ. I feel like USCIS turns you into a crazy person over the years, and VJ is the only way I've retained any sanity. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

Didn't you get a letter saying what to bring to the interview? I took a folder with those few items (originals of a few things submitted) and my interviewer said "nope, don't need to see any of that". It could be way easier than you are thinking. 

[Going through 5,671]

5 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Didn't you get a letter saying what to bring to the interview? I took a folder with those few items (originals of a few things submitted) and my interviewer said "nope, don't need to see any of that". It could be way easier than you are thinking. 

All it says for 5-year filers is to bring your passport, drivers licence (if you have one) and green card.  I'm thinking too that there's the strong possibility of the IO asking for other things.  My interview is coming up next month as well, so I'd rather be prepared and have something he/she may ask for on the spot rather than get asked for it and not have it.  It's better to be prepared...and according to various threads around here, some 5-year filers have been asked for tax transcripts, marriage certificate, (even though the filing wasn't based on marriage), and other things not mentioned in the letter.  One lady, who filed as a 5-year resident, recently said she was asked to provide a copy of her birth certificate at the interview...she was lucky enough to have brought it with her just in case.

 

It all depends on how stringent the IO wants to be at the time, I would imagine.  And it also depends on each individual's history, too, as outlined in their application.

Edited August 22, 2017 by Going through

[Henry F 0]

15 hours ago, vkhutchings said:

Hi, guys, a couple of questions relating to docs and evidence to take to the interview.

 

Firstly, I'm a bit panicked because despite checking my application thoroughly before submitting online, I've just been getting all of the documents together in a file and double-checking they match up with the answers I gave on the N400, and I have a rental agreement showing I moved to my current apartment on 2/11/2016, but for some bizarre reason I put 2/15/2016 on the form. Is that terrible? Should I try and find a way of correcting it now, or should I just wait until the interview when I go through the N400 with the officer? I feel so stupid, I don't even know how I managed to put the wrong date...

 

Also, I have my rental agreements since I moved to the States as evidence of where I've lived, what dates, and that I've been cohabiting with my husband (I applied under the 3-year rule). Should I have any evidence to back up the addresses I lived at overseas prior to moving over here? I'm guessing they won't be too interested in evidence for that as it's kind of irrelevant to my citizenship, but of course, I had to add it to the form because online they ask for 5 years of addresses.

 

Thank you!

 

more important of checking double time document

[vkhutchings 15]

On 8/21/2017 at 10:46 PM, Wuozopo said:

Didn't you get a letter saying what to bring to the interview? I took a folder with those few items (originals of a few things submitted) and my interviewer said "nope, don't need to see any of that". It could be way easier than you are thinking. 

Yes, the letter says to bring originals of every document submitted with the application.

 

Here's a photo, in case it's helpful for people getting their docs together:

 

 

[Tony and Daisy 22]

Simple rule of thumb.... Bring a copy/original (if available) of EVERYTHING you submitted in the N400 packet PLUS anything they list on the interview letter PLUS anything else you can think of that will strengthen your case. Chances are nothing more than what's on the letter will be requested at the interview, but it's better ot be over-prepared than to be missing something.

[vkhutchings 15]

On 9/1/2017 at 7:58 PM, Tony and Daisy said:

Simple rule of thumb.... Bring a copy/original (if available) of EVERYTHING you submitted in the N400 packet PLUS anything they list on the interview letter PLUS anything else you can think of that will strengthen your case. Chances are nothing more than what's on the letter will be requested at the interview, but it's better ot be over-prepared than to be missing something.

Thanks! Yes, I've decided to take vastly more than I probably need, just to be on the safe side. I've just got done photocopying every page of my current and last passport so that I can show all of my entry and exit stamps for the past 5 years - overkill??! I'll obviously take the original passports too. I would assume they could make photocopies there of things if they need to? But, again, playing it safe!

[Going through 5,671]

53 minutes ago, vkhutchings said:

Thanks! Yes, I've decided to take vastly more than I probably need, just to be on the safe side. I've just got done photocopying every page of my current and last passport so that I can show all of my entry and exit stamps for the past 5 years - overkill??! I'll obviously take the original passports too. I would assume they could make photocopies there of things if they need to? But, again, playing it safe!

The IO usually ends up photocopying the passport pages, from what I've read on here, so you saved them some time---no overkill