Proof of bonafide marriage for 3 yr rule

[Don0 73]

Hi VJ community!

 

Just got my 10 year gc and will be applying for n400 next year. I will be applying under the 3 yr rule which is based on marriage. Aside from marriage certificate, taxes we filed jointly, what other evidence do I need to send?

 

I have sent a lot of evidence (pictures, bank statements, birth certificate of our son) for my i751 that having to send only these two seems weird to me. 😅 

 

Any info would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Don0 73]

10 minutes ago, Don0 said:

Hi VJ community!

 

Just got my 10 year gc and will be applying for n400 next year. I will be applying under the 3 yr rule which is based on marriage. Aside from marriage certificate, taxes we filed jointly, what other evidence do I need to send?

 

I have sent a lot of evidence (pictures, bank statements, birth certificate of our son) for my i751 that having to send only these two seems weird to me. 😅 

 

Any info would be appreciated. Thank you!

So I dug through VJ and it seem like I need to send in a lot of evidence as I did with my ROC. My question is, should it be from the beginning of our marriage or from the time I sent in my ROC packet? And do photos still count? Thanks!

[carmel34 3,622]

5 hours ago, Don0 said:

So I dug through VJ and it seem like I need to send in a lot of evidence as I did with my ROC. My question is, should it be from the beginning of our marriage or from the time I sent in my ROC packet? And do photos still count? Thanks!

Best evidence of bona fide marriage is from the date of marriage until the time you file the N-400.  Another suggestion that works is to file the N-400 with the minimum required documents (marriage certificate, divorce decree if applicable, and IRS tax transcripts) and take more evidence from the date of marriage until present to the N-400 interview.

[Dashinka 24,489]

This is what is shown in the N400 instructions (below) relative to marital evidence to bring to the interview.  You do not need all that to actually submit the N400 though even under the 3 yr. rule, although most when filing online will upload it.  It seems you already have a bunch of evidence from the I751, so you can add to that, and it is up to you if you want to upload it if you file online or take it with you to the interview.

 

Good Luck!

 

7. Other Documents. Depending on the circumstances, you should bring certain documents to your interview. You may also submit copies of these documents with your application. For example:

A. Spouse of a U.S. Citizen. Bring the following items to your interview if you are applying for naturalization on the basis of your marriage to a U.S. citizen:

(1) Evidence that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years at the time you file your Form N-400. Such evidence may include: a birth certificate (if your spouse never lost U.S. citizenship since birth), Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Form FS-240 Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America;

(2) Evidence of the termination of all your prior marriages; and

(3) Evidence that you and your spouse have lived in marital union for at least 3 years at the time you file your Form N-400. Such evidence may include:

(a) Joint bank and credit card statements;

(b) Leases or mortgages;

(c) Birth certificates of children;

(d) Insurance policies; and

(e) Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you and your spouse filed for the past 3 years (or an IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years).

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/n-400instr.pdf

Edited October 16, 2023 by Dashinka

[Don0 73]

16 hours ago, carmel34 said:

Best evidence of bona fide marriage is from the date of marriage until the time you file the N-400.  Another suggestion that works is to file the N-400 with the minimum required documents (marriage certificate, divorce decree if applicable, and IRS tax transcripts) and take more evidence from the date of marriage until present to the N-400 interview.

Thank you for your reply. So you mean, I only upload the needed documwnts and all the others I just bring with me? Like bank statements, photos, insurance and such?

 

15 hours ago, Dashinka said:

This is what is shown in the N400 instructions (below) relative to marital evidence to bring to the interview.  You do not need all that to actually submit the N400 though even under the 3 yr. rule, although most when filing online will upload it.  It seems you already have a bunch of evidence from the I751, so you can add to that, and it is up to you if you want to upload it if you file online or take it with you to the interview.

 

Good Luck!

 

7. Other Documents. Depending on the circumstances, you should bring certain documents to your interview. You may also submit copies of these documents with your application. For example:

A. Spouse of a U.S. Citizen. Bring the following items to your interview if you are applying for naturalization on the basis of your marriage to a U.S. citizen:

(1) Evidence that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years at the time you file your Form N-400. Such evidence may include: a birth certificate (if your spouse never lost U.S. citizenship since birth), Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Form FS-240 Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America;

(2) Evidence of the termination of all your prior marriages; and

(3) Evidence that you and your spouse have lived in marital union for at least 3 years at the time you file your Form N-400. Such evidence may include:

(a) Joint bank and credit card statements;

(b) Leases or mortgages;

(c) Birth certificates of children;

(d) Insurance policies; and

(e) Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you and your spouse filed for the past 3 years (or an IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years).

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/n-400instr.pdf

This is very helpful. Thank you so much!