How to prove continuous residency as a stay at home mom?

[leilabird 18]

I’m a green card holder and thinking about applying for a U.S. citizenship. (Not filing as a U.S. citizen’s spouse) 
However, I didn’t work for the last 5 years (2018-2022). I filed taxes every year with IRS but I got zero returns or owe zero to IRS. I filed jointly with my husband past one out of 5 years period. What I’m trying to say is that I feel like I don’t have good evidence to prove that I stayed in the U.S. the whole time. I gave birth in 2019 but my husband took care of the bills and my name was not on any bills or mortgage papers. Do I need to consult with an attorney?

 

[Timona 4,207]

No attorney  needed. File online 

[leilabird 18]

3 minutes ago, Timona said:

No attorney  needed. File online 

Thank you Timona! Can you please tell me how do I start? I’m so lost. How do I prove my continuous residency if I didn’t travel outside the US in the past 5 years? My passport is expired in 2013 and haven’t renewed since. Thank you so much! Any information is valuable! 🌺

[Lil bear 4,211]

11 minutes ago, leilabird said:

Thank you Timona! Can you please tell me how do I start? I’m so lost. How do I prove my continuous residency if I didn’t travel outside the US in the past 5 years? My passport is expired in 2013 and haven’t renewed since. Thank you so much! Any information is valuable! 🌺

The fact that you did not travel outside the US indicates that you remained in the US. Utility bills etc aren't evidence of residency. Residency is broken by extended trips outside the US.. not by not having a passport or joint utility bills. You are overthinking this ! 

[leilabird 18]

34 minutes ago, Timona said:

13 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

The fact that you did not travel outside the US indicates that you remained in the US. Utility bills etc aren't evidence of residency. Residency is broken by extended trips outside the US.. not by not having a passport or joint utility bills. You are overthinking this ! 

Yes! I definitely overthinking it! But how do I prove that I didn’t go anywhere?  

[Lil bear 4,211]

3 minutes ago, leilabird said:

 

You dont.

 

If you had travelled there would be CBP records of your departure and return.

 

It is simple.

 

You dont have to submit anything to “prove” the continuous residency requirement  

 

You list overseas travel dates if you travelled.

 

You didn't travel.

 

You have nothing to list for that.

 

Done.  

[Rocio0010 5,579]

2 minutes ago, leilabird said:

 

If you have your old passport number you could check your travel history here and print it out.

 

You also need to show your IRS tax returns, even if you had zero income. 

For residency, definitely get the travel records. Also, bank statements showing regular movements in the bank account are proof that you were living here.

You are overthinking this. What I've listed should be enough proof that you resided here. Go ahead and file with those. Additionally, if you are really worried, there are some other evidence that you can gather from now until the time of the interview that prove that you were living here, such as doctor's appointment, hospital stays, etc. But I really don't think they are going to focus on that.

[Lil bear 4,211]

10 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

If you have your old passport number you could check your travel history here and print it out.

 

You also need to show your IRS tax returns, even if you had zero income. 

For residency, definitely get the travel records. Also, bank statements showing regular movements in the bank account are proof that you were living here.

You are overthinking this. What I've listed should be enough proof that you resided here. Go ahead and file with those. Additionally, if you are really worried, there are some other evidence that you can gather from now until the time of the interview that prove that you were living here, such as doctor's appointment, hospital stays, etc. But I really don't think they are going to focus on that.

Passport expired 2013. Nothing to show. Continuous residence is evidenced as “broken “ by travel records. It does not to be proven like OP is thinking 

[Timona 4,207]

1 hour ago, leilabird said:

Thank you Timona! Can you please tell me how do I start? I’m so lost. How do I prove my continuous residency if I didn’t travel outside the US in the past 5 years? My passport is expired in 2013 and haven’t renewed since. Thank you so much! Any information is valuable! 🌺

 

Online filing guides you on what to submit. Google "File N400 Online." Then create account. It will guide you and alleviate your worries. It's really simple. 

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from US Citizenship Progress Reports to General Discussion ***

 

[Mike E 11,739]

21 hours ago, leilabird said:

I filed jointly with my husband past one out of 5 years period.

Why have you filed jointly on just one the 5 previous years?
 

btw:

 

* USCIS prefers tax transcripts and not tax returns. The most recent three tax transcripts are online usually at irs.gov. You can request the 2 oldest transcripts be mailed to you.  

 

* the fact that you filed tax returns in each of the past 5 years is evidence of continuous residence.  When LPRs don’t file tax returns 

 

* IMO, non working spouses, in particular stay at home wives and moms have an easier time naturalizing than their working spouses / husbands (referring to couples who got green cards at the same time). 
 

* to that end, the fact that you had a child born in the U.S. during the past 5 years is also compelling evidence of continuous residency (again stay at home mom). 
 

I think yours is an easy case.  Get started at https://www.uscis.gov/n-400

[Imperium 81]

22 hours ago, leilabird said:

I’m a green card holder and thinking about applying for a U.S. citizenship. (Not filing as a U.S. citizen’s spouse) 
However, I didn’t work for the last 5 years (2018-2022). I filed taxes every year with IRS but I got zero returns or owe zero to IRS. I filed jointly with my husband past one out of 5 years period. What I’m trying to say is that I feel like I don’t have good evidence to prove that I stayed in the U.S. the whole time. I gave birth in 2019 but my husband took care of the bills and my name was not on any bills or mortgage papers. Do I need to consult with an attorney?

 

Do you have Driver License, lease or bank account? they all can have your name on it.

Affidavit of you husband will establish you reside there and for how long. 

Travel history is only relevent if you have travelled outside and stayed far too long etc. 

Any kids besides the one you mentioned?

Any mail on your name that shows the address and your name. 

Why did you not file jointly before the last year? You may be asked about it.

Evidence can be of any kind because adjudicator's FM does not have a fix list. 

Edited October 7, 2022 by Imperium

[Crazy Cat 41,857]

There is no requirement to prove you didn't travel.  If you did travel outside the US, you would simply list the trips, the location, and the number of days.  For you, filing online will be a piece of cake.  Good luck.

Edited October 7, 2022 by Crazy Cat