Im filling out the N-400 application for Naturlization. My husband and I can't agree on Part 9. Information about your children. I don't have any children to any one what soever. My husband however has two children to a previous marriage. Although I don't have any contact with the children of his, I feel they should be "step children" he says no they aren't. Can anyone help?

The other thing is I want to file on 3rd August, but I am away in the UK then, can I file then putting the 10th August as my return, or would they see it as not telling the truth as the 10th August(my return) wouldn't have arrived yet? Should I just leave it until the 10th so I can put on Part 7 countries visited?

thanks for you help in advance!

Hi Gemma,
Wow you are all well-prepared... alright here is my answers to your two questions:
1. Since you are currently legally married to your current husband, his children ARE yours too (even though they are your step-children and you don't have any contact with them). Remember your husband is the legal biological father of his children no matter what. You can just list the names of these children and explain that they are your step children.
2. I would rather wait until Aug 10th, when you are physically back in US land, to send your application. 7 days of difference will not make too much difference in rushing sending your N400 application. Being honest will serve you the best in the long run

Just my 2cents...

I agree with chitown. At first I wasn't sure if you had to list the stepchildren, but I looked at the instructions for the N-400 and it says to list all stepchildren.

Also, it would be best to just wait before sending it in. Chitown is right that a week wouldn't make difference.

"A. Write the total number of sons and daughters you have had. Count all of your children, regardless of whether they are:
Part 9. Information About Your Children.
1. Alive, missing, or dead;
2. Born in other countries or in the United States;
3. Under 18 years old or adults;
4. Married or unmarried;
5. Living with you or elsewhere;
6. Stepsons or stepdaughters or legally adopted; or
7. Born when you were not married.
B. Write information about all your sons and daughters. In the last column (''Location''), write:
1. "With me" - if the son or daughter is currently living with you;
2. The street address and state or country where the son or daughter lives - if the son or daughter is not currently living with you; or
3. "Missing" or "dead" - if that son or daughter is missing or dead.
If you need space to list information about additional sons and daughters, attach a separate sheet of paper."

Looks like I screwed up on this one, better write a letter to Nebraska and correct that. I only listed my wife's children, the applicant, not mine. Dang!!!!

I was eligible to apply October 2007, but sent my N-400 late February 2008. everything is OK

The green card is mandatory to stay here and kind of a pain in the back as you have to keep the USCIS informed where you are at, at all times, and remember to renew it after two or ten years and pay a couple of bucks for that renewal or if you lose it.

Not so with US citizenship, strictly optional, can send it in 90 days before you 3rd or 5th PR anniversary depending whether you married a US citizen or not, or not even send it in at all and just stay here as a permanent resident. Or you can submit the N-400 in five, ten, fifteen, or whatever number of years you desire. Ha, if you wait until you are 75 years old, don't even have to take the civics test, one way to beat that.

With citizenship you can vote, get SS disability benefits, get a US passport, but most important, that kind of ends your relationship with the USCIS, don't have to tell them where you are at after that, and it doesn't expire like the green card does.

yep this is the main reason