How soon should I prepare to apply for Naturalization? (Merged threads)

[Visitor User 253]

Hello. I have been a Permanent Resident since 2/26/19.

 

Single male, no kids. Never travelled outside of USA since I arrived in USA and don’t plan to either as PR.

 

I have a 5 year waiting period.

 

I hired an attorney to process my PR so I will be using the same attorney to apply for Naturalization.

 

What documents do I need to gather/prepare?

 

 

Edited August 7, 2022 by Visitor User

[Crazy Cat 41,837]

This checklist is pretty good.  I used it to gather my wife's documents.

 

attachments.pdf (uscis.gov)

Edited August 7, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Visitor User 253]

2 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

This checklist is pretty good.  I used it to gather my wife's documents.

 

attachments.pdf (uscis.gov)

When should I start preparing?

 

Based on this worksheet I only need to send them a copy of my PR card?

Edited August 7, 2022 by Visitor User

[Visitor User 253]

Anyone?

[Lil bear 4,190]

4 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

Anyone?

You should start becoming familiar with the question set when you apply. When you get the interview letter, start memorizing a correct answer for each question ( some have several correct answers)   However you learn best is the way to approach this. Its not that hard   We didn't use any legal service for any of our immigration steps .. and N400 is by far the simplest. Easy to follow the instructions .. save the $$ 

Edited August 8, 2022 by Lil bear

[Visitor User 253]

1 hour ago, Lil bear said:

You should start becoming familiar with the question set when you apply. When you get the interview letter, start memorizing a correct answer for each question ( some have several correct answers)   However you learn best is the way to approach this. Its not that hard   We didn't use any legal service for any of our immigration steps .. and N400 is by far the simplest. Easy to follow the instructions .. save the $$ 

Thanks. Looks like all I need is to submit the PR card for documents?

Edited August 8, 2022 by Visitor User

[Lil bear 4,190]

1 minute ago, Visitor User said:

Thanks. Looks like all I need is to submit the PR card for documents?

Read the N400 instruction pdf from the USCIS website. Much more accurate than my memory!! 

[Visitor User 253]

1 minute ago, Lil bear said:

Read the N400 instruction pdf from the USCIS website. Much more accurate than my memory!! 

I read the one the other user posted. It looks like all I need is to submit the PR. Does that sound right?

[Lil bear 4,190]

11 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

I read the one the other user posted. It looks like all I need is to submit the PR. Does that sound right?

Always go to the official USCIS information for the most recent information. Sometimes people post a link that may be a previous version not be the current one 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms

[Visitor User 253]

3 hours ago, Lil bear said:

Always go to the official USCIS information for the most recent information. Sometimes people post a link that may be a previous version not be the current one 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms

 

Right.

[Marieke H 2,496]

You still have a long wait ahead of you. You can apply 90 days before 2/26/2024.

 

The form is pretty straightforward and can be filed online. You definitely don't need an attorney if you can read English and take the time to study the instructions.

[STO Overland 137]

Never too soon to prepare. Create an account with the USCIS, and get familiar with the N400 online application by filling it out (but not submitting it obviously). You mention you don't intend to travel however if you do, keep track of dates traveled on a excel spreadsheet. The biggest pain I have seen folk complain about is getting their IRS transcripts from before the preceding 3 years. So download them annually. If you get yourself into trouble (speeding, whatever) make sure you keep all records (fine payment etc). Between the time of LPR and my N400, I drove like I was "driving Miss Daisy". My kids say I still do...so what. If you already have past tickets, or infractions then use this time to collect that evidence. I had a speeding ticket from 2003 that I was able to get records for and submitted with my application in 2020. Excessive maybe? Yeah too right, I'm a stickler for detail and looked for anything that could derail my application. 

 

@ImmiGeek has his own journey and preparation listed within his notes which you might find useful https://tinyurl.com/myUSCNotes 

 

You do not need an attorney. Save your money for passport fees and for your first trip using your new passport.

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by DeezNuts

[STO Overland 137]

PS  I used an attorney for my LPR. I didn't know about VisaJourney back then.

 

When I received my greencard I said to my attorney that I would see him for N400. "No you won't" He replied, "unless between now and then you have issues with the law. You can do this one yourself". 

[Visitor User 253]

6 hours ago, Marieke H said:

You still have a long wait ahead of you. You can apply 90 days before 2/26/2024.

 

The form is pretty straightforward and can be filed online. You definitely don't need an attorney if you can read English and take the time to study the instructions.

What is that exact date I can apply? I used the calculator but couldn’t figure out.

[Visitor User 253]

4 hours ago, DeezNuts said:

Never too soon to prepare. Create an account with the USCIS, and get familiar with the N400 online application by filling it out (but not submitting it obviously). You mention you don't intend to travel however if you do, keep track of dates traveled on a excel spreadsheet. The biggest pain I have seen folk complain about is getting their IRS transcripts from before the preceding 3 years. So download them annually. If you get yourself into trouble (speeding, whatever) make sure you keep all records (fine payment etc). Between the time of LPR and my N400, I drove like I was "driving Miss Daisy". My kids say I still do...so what. If you already have past tickets, or infractions then use this time to collect that evidence. I had a speeding ticket from 2003 that I was able to get records for and submitted with my application in 2020. Excessive maybe? Yeah too right, I'm a stickler for detail and looked for anything that could derail my application. 

 

@ImmiGeek has his own journey and preparation listed within his notes which you might find useful https://tinyurl.com/myUSCNotes 

 

You do not need an attorney. Save your money for passport fees and for your first trip using your new passport.

 

I always drive like a grandma. No chance of citations.

 

The document list doesn’t say I need the last years of IRS transcript. If so I need it for 2020, 2021 and 2022?

 

I thought speeding tickets that were dismissed with driving course don’t count?