N-400: is this it for the evidence

[randomstairs 303]

18 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

“Family-based cases require a lot more” evidence?

 

 Why do you think this?   Or perhaps you mean just for people who naturalize understand the 3-year rule?

Yeah, I guess I was considering the 3-year rule cases, with all the birth certificates, taxes, etc, being required as stated on the application. In my case it was all "skip to the section xy" and most of the PDF form looks empty. Only the green card (copy) is listed under "required evidence." 

[randomstairs 303]

4 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

For the actual application, yes that’s all you need. I also had to submit marriage certificate and kids birth certificates, but if you’re single/not a parent you don’t need those.
You’ll want to take the tax transcripts to the interview. They may or may not look at them. They looked at mine, but not my husbands and not most people I know who did n400.

That was my initial understanding too. Like, I don't want to overburden the application with unsolicited evidence precisely because I'm hoping for the fastest approval (duh). But now I'm thinking that adding the tax returns to the application may be beneficial, based on the advice here.

 

Yet, then again, what if they don't like the electronic IRS returns (the records from the IRS account), with only parts of my name and SSN spelled out. What if that additional evidence consequently in and of itself triggers an RFE, for example? It would be better to get an RFE for not submitting the tax documents and use them to respond to it, wouldn't it?

 

Okay, I think I'll go with the minimum (just the required evidence) for the filing and then I'll add the taxes and everything else required for the interview as the unsolicited evidence, after the submission. 

 

[randomstairs 303]

21 minutes ago, Scandi said:

And as always, it's individual. Just because they didn't ask much of you guys doesn't mean they won't ask more from someone else. By uploading more than asked for you lower the risks of being asked for something at the interview, and lower the risks of not being approved on spot if they have to go through a stash of paperwork afterwards - nobody can tell you how long it will take for them to do that. There are never any guarantees, but a lot of us prefer to be extra prepared in every way we can. 

I never re-compiled anything, but maybe I misunderstand what that means? I uploaded a few new documents each month my case was pending - including the latest tax return transcipts etc. For that reason, i never had to bring much of anything to the interview (other than the originals of the important documents like divorce decrees etc) since they already had everything in the system. She even explained to me that they PREFER to have things uploaded (hence why they try to make forms available online these days), and also proceeded to scan one single of my documents and added it to my online file instead of taking a regular paper copy of it. 

This makes sense too. I may upload the tax docs with the form or afterwards as an update. Did you use the tax transcripts printed from the IRS account? (These are the only ones I've got.)

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

4 hours ago, Scandi said:

And as always, it's individual. Just because they didn't ask much of you guys doesn't mean they won't ask more from someone else. By uploading more than asked for you lower the risks of being asked for something at the interview, and lower the risks of not being approved on spot if they have to go through a stash of paperwork afterwards - nobody can tell you how long it will take for them to do that. There are never any guarantees, but a lot of us prefer to be extra prepared in every way we can. 

I never re-compiled anything, but maybe I misunderstand what that means? I uploaded a few new documents each month my case was pending - including the latest tax return transcipts etc. For that reason, i never had to bring much of anything to the interview (other than the originals of the important documents like divorce decrees etc) since they already had everything in the system. She even explained to me that they PREFER to have things uploaded (hence why they try to make forms available online these days), and also proceeded to scan one single of my documents and added it to my online file instead of taking a regular paper copy of it. 

I think you missed the point. I didn’t say don’t have the evidence, I just said it doesn’t need to be uploaded in advance. Absolutely bring everything to the interview.  I’ve never before heard of anyone continually uploading evidence as you seem to have done, but whatever makes you comfortable. My officer went through everything with me and that would have happened regardless uploading in advance or not as she did the same with the few documents already uploaded. Honestly, if there’s no complications in your case then all the evidence is straightforward and there’s no reason to expect complications. But sure if someone is particularly anxious and wants every possible base covered in advance then maybe uploading continuous new evidence the whole time is the way to do it. Whatever makes you happy.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

4 hours ago, randomstairs said:

That was my initial understanding too. Like, I don't want to overburden the application with unsolicited evidence precisely because I'm hoping for the fastest approval (duh). But now I'm thinking that adding the tax returns to the application may be beneficial, based on the advice here.

 

Yet, then again, what if they don't like the electronic IRS returns (the records from the IRS account), with only parts of my name and SSN spelled out. What if that additional evidence consequently in and of itself triggers an RFE, for example? It would be better to get an RFE for not submitting the tax documents and use them to respond to it, wouldn't it?

 

Okay, I think I'll go with the minimum (just the required evidence) for the filing and then I'll add the taxes and everything else required for the interview as the unsolicited evidence, after the submission. 

 

You wouldn’t get an RFE for not submitting them, because they are not a required document to be provided with the application. I honestly don’t think it makes a difference other than increasing the amount of what will eventually be outdated stuff. You’ll be updating other stuff in the interview anyway, things like further trips abroad, maybe job changes etc, it’s not like they ever expect a 100% perfectly up to date application before you walk in the door. By the way even if you do upload in advance, you should always have originals with you at the interview anyway. It’s not reducing what you physically bring with.

 

 

Edited November 13, 2022 by SusieQQQ

[Scandi 4,166]

12 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

I think you missed the point. I didn’t say don’t have the evidence, I just said it doesn’t need to be uploaded in advance. Absolutely bring everything to the interview.  I’ve never before heard of anyone continually uploading evidence as you seem to have done, but whatever makes you comfortable. My officer went through everything with me and that would have happened regardless uploading in advance or not as she did the same with the few documents already uploaded. Honestly, if there’s no complications in your case then all the evidence is straightforward and there’s no reason to expect complications. But sure if someone is particularly anxious and wants every possible base covered in advance then maybe uploading continuous new evidence the whole time is the way to do it. Whatever makes you happy.

No, you missed the point. The point is to make the interview part as simple and smooth as possible, by giving the IO a chance to go through your paperwork BEFORE the interview. You do this by uploading them in advance, not by bringing a pile of paper and throw them on his/her desk - especially if the IO is already behind schedule (which they often are), you can't expect him/her to sit there and go through it all in front of you. Glad that in YOUR case it worked out (in MY case, the IO never needed to look at anything since everything had already been uploaded (other than the tax return that had been filed just the day before the interview), very easy), for others they get the "decision can't be made" paper and then have to wait for an IO to actually go through all the documents which can take weeks. The IO will prefer to have the documents already scanned and uploaded she s/he doesn't have to do that himself afterwards - same goes for the lockbox people, that's why forms are online these days so the lockbox people won't have all that extra work. 

That's the point - UPLOAD everything yourself beforehand. Don't wait and bring a pile of stuff to the interview. It's not about being anxious at all, it's what the IO prefers and it doesn't cost you a dime. There's zero reason not to upload your stuff when you have the option. 

Edited November 13, 2022 by Scandi

[OldUser 6,633]

I couldn't agree more with you @Scandi

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Why would it take weeks? I’m amazed at how much paperwork you seem to have had. What “pile of stuff” are you talking about, exactly? In addition to originals of the few things that were uploaded as requested by the system, I brought my tax transcripts and passports. That’s it. What else is needed? Hardly a pile of stuff and hardly taking any time to go through. Are you maybe talking about  a case based on 3 year rule where you have to prove a zillion things about marital union? Doesn’t apply to OP. I know people who have gone same employment route as OP who haven’t uploaded anything in advance and been approved same day. Simple letter from employer in addition to the stuff I mentioned. So yes let me amend what I said and point out that if you expect to arrive with a “pile of stuff” at the interview that might take the IO ages to go through, you should upload in advance and hope that your IO finds time to look at it in before the interview. For straightforward non 3 year rule cases I honestly can’t imagine why you’d need that much paperwork that the IO would be unable to spend 5 minutes looking at in the interview. 

[randomstairs 303]

I have just filed my case, with the required evidence only. I will be adding the tax documents and an employment letter later to the "unsolicited evidence." I don't expect to have the interview scheduled in a week, so there should be plenty of time to do so. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the topic!