Documents to bring to Naturalization Interview

[SDNOMAD 17]

It says to bring my spouse (US Citizen) birth certificate for proof of citizenship. Can I just bring a copy of her passport? That’s all we’ve ever used through this whole process. 

[Crazy Cat 41,772]

Passport will work.

[SDNOMAD 17]

16 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Passport will work.

Is a copy fine? 

[Crazy Cat 41,772]

11 minutes ago, SDNOMAD said:

Is a copy fine? 

I would take original or certified copy. 

 

Naturalization Interview, What to Bring, US Citizenship (shusterman.com)

Edited February 21 by Crazy Cat

[SDNOMAD 17]

13 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I would take original or certified copy. 

 

Naturalization Interview, What to Bring, US Citizenship (shusterman.com)

So bring her actual passport! Got it 

 

thank you 

[OldUser 6,590]

There's a tiny chance a birth certificate (if born in the US) or naturalization certificate (if naturalized) may be asked at the interview.

 

Why doesn't she have birth certificate? This is a super important document to have besides for purpose of your N-400. What if she loses her passport tomorrow? How would she prove US citizenship? 

[SDNOMAD 17]

11 minutes ago, OldUser said:

There's a tiny chance a birth certificate (if born in the US) or naturalization certificate (if naturalized) may be asked at the interview.

 

Why doesn't she have birth certificate? This is a super important document to have besides for purpose of your N-400. What if she loses her passport tomorrow? How would she prove US citizenship? 

Well she would have a to obtain a new certificate. 

[Scandi 4,166]

Personally, I brought my USC husband's passport and birth certificate. I also brought the interview letter, my greencard, driver license, all of my passports (two expired and one valid), a few more docs proving a bonafide marriage (3 year rule) and the entire tax return that we had filed just a couple of days prior (no transcript available yet). 

Before the interview started, the IO wanted to see my ID/DL, my greencard and two of my three passports (the valid/newest and the oldest with the K-1 visa in it). 
After the interview she scanned my tax return into their system. 

So in my case nothing was needed from my husband, and no extra evidence either (I had already uploaded a ton in my online account and been through ROC a year prior, so that probably helped). 

If you owe taxes from previous years, make sure to bring your payment plan. We didn't owe but I have seen others having issues for forgetting to bring it. 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

If the interview letter asks for a birth certificate, then I would bring it. How far ahead is the interview? 

Sometimes BC do not take that long, and it is a good document to have. What if she loses her passport and needs proof of citizenship asap? Google Vital records of the State she was born. Sometimes you're able to request it online.

 

For my own interview (I applied on the three year rule) I brought my husband, his birth certificate, his passport, my passports, a physical copy of all the documents I'd submitted with the application, plus new, updated evidence. Officer just asked for my DL and my green cards. But I feel it's better to have what they ask for in the letter and let them handle it however they want it.

Edited February 21 by Rocio0010

[igoyougoduke 1,653]

14 hours ago, SDNOMAD said:

It says to bring my spouse (US Citizen) birth certificate for proof of citizenship. Can I just bring a copy of her passport? That’s all we’ve ever used through this whole process. 

if they ask for birth certificate you take birth certificate. They mean original 

[mam521 2,052]

People who don't have a US birth certificate or naturalization certificate can still be issued a passport by the Department of State, thanks to derivative citizenship.  It doesn't mean that the information regarding their citizenship status has been communicated from DoS to USCIS.  USCIS wants to see USCIS issued documentation or verifiable Vital Statistics documentation, as a result. Birth certificates are cheap and everyone should have one.  Have your spouse order one before your interview.  When you get your naturalization certificate, file it in a safe place.  They definitely are not so cheap to replace.  

 

As for copies versus originals, you live with your spouse, correct?  So why is it such a big deal to bring the originals?  It's not like you're mailing them into the black hole of USCIS.  You're presenting them to an adjudicating officer who will want to see the original. In an obscure way, it somewhat proves you are in a trusting relationship and there's no strange fraud going on when you present these originals.

[SDNOMAD 17]

She lost it along time ago and we have ordered a new one but it’s saying 6-8 weeks processing before it arrives and that was 2 weeks ago my interview is in 15 days. 

[SDNOMAD 17]

False alarm everyone we found the old one! Thank you for your time and advice!