Proof of marriage during the Interview

[Mom2LilNoah 0]

I've been regularly visiting this N-400 discussion to help me prepare for my upcoming interview, hopefully next month. And I read somewhere that an applicant was asked a document to prove her marriage. As far as I know, I submitted gobs of proof of my marriage when I renewed my greencard, but it seems that everytime you file a form, those papers should be submitted separately (which means heaps of papers in their office).

But anyway, my question is, how recent should the bills be, how far back should I bring with me to show that our names appear on the bill(s)? Is it going to be for the last 3 months? What is gernerally accepted? I understand, we have to bring the originals of those that we filed with our N-400 application, so on top of that, we have to bring copies of our bills, am I right?

One more thing, are we allowed to bring a camera on the day of our interview or only when you take the oath? I don't wanna go through the same thing I went through when I had my biometrics that the security guard told us that we could be incarcerated for taking a pic, in my case, a pic of myself with their office background, take note, not inside the office, just for documentation purposes of my Citizenship journey. It doesn't make sense to me.

How about cellphones? See, I applied on the basis of marriage to an American citizen, and I will be leaving my 20-month old son with my husband outside. There were instances here when the IO asked for the husband's presence, therefore I would be needing my cellphone with me to call him when needed.

Your inputs would highly be appreciated.

[NickD 203]

Already joked when meeting all those armed guards if someone would try to swipe a folding chair or that portrait of GWB, but they take it seriously, would make great news if a terrorist killed a bunch of immigrants trying to enter this country. Why antagonized them? Leave your cell phone and camera in the car and be extra nice if you want your USC. If your IO wants to meet your husband and baby, will walk out with you to the waiting room, but that would be rare indeed.

You have to bring three recent years of your tax returns, preferably joint, but married filing separately is okay. Rest is the most current. If both you and your husband appear on your babies birth certificate, that should be excellent proof of your marriage, along with all that joint stuff.

[Mom2LilNoah 0]

Hi Mr. NickD. Thanks for the response. Yes, both our names are on my son's birth certificate.

As far as the oath-taking is concerned, particularly for those Atlanta naturalized citizens, were you guys allowed to bring a camera? I've seen photos of some naturalized citizens in another website, and I'd like to believe that they're allowed to bring one in. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks a lot.

Leave your cell phone and camera in the car and be extra nice if you want your USC. If your IO wants to meet your husband and baby, will walk out with you to the waiting room, but that would be rare indeed.

You have to bring three recent years of your tax returns, preferably joint, but married filing separately is okay. Rest is the most current. If both you and your husband appear on your babies birth certificate, that should be excellent proof of your marriage, along with all that joint stuff.

Edited October 12, 2009 by Mom2LilNoah

[NickD 203]

Hi Mr. NickD. Thanks for the response. Yes, both our names are on my son's birth certificate.

As far as the oath-taking is concerned, particularly for those Atlanta naturalized citizens, were you guys allowed to bring a camera? I've seen photos of some naturalized citizens in another website, and I'd like to believe that they're allowed to bring one in. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks a lot.

Leave your cell phone and camera in the car and be extra nice if you want your USC. If your IO wants to meet your husband and baby, will walk out with you to the waiting room, but that would be rare indeed.

You have to bring three recent years of your tax returns, preferably joint, but married filing separately is okay. Rest is the most current. If both you and your husband appear on your babies birth certificate, that should be excellent proof of your marriage, along with all that joint stuff.

They let me bring in my camera but the cell phone had to stay in the car. Did get one nice shot of my wife being handed over her certificate, but I think my wife wants to forget those days. We didn't print it out yet, but we have printed out many photos of her holding our granddaughter.

[antda 13]

Hi Mom2LilNoah,

Likewise, I have a similar N-400 timeline as you, and am wondering about the same things as well. I hope to get an interview letter soon next month or the month after too. Meanwhile, I'm studying for the civics test, from the booklet and cd that I got at the fingerprints appointment. Did you get such study materials too?

As for proving marriage, I was one of those that chose the "tax returns (or lack of), bank accounts, leases, mortgages, or birth certificates of children" option, and I assumed they meant 3 years worth of documents there, as they want to see a contiunous marital history since premament residency and I assume that over they years the USCIS can misplace and/or lose documents that I have sent for previous cases (AOS, I-751, etc.). So it's better to have everything sent (from those 3 years) and prepared beforehand for the N-400, than to have the case delayed for lack of evidence. In other words, it's like "starting from scratch" in submitting the evidence all over again, assuming that the USCIS has not seen your case before and/or they want more information covering all those years. But then again, you have sent all that evidence already over the years, so it should not be hard for you to come up with such all over again. So for statements and stuff like that, I would go back the 3 years, since permanent residency and since your marriage, just in case they ask for such. Just send a few from each year, and you should be ok.

As for bringing a camera, lol.....I'm the type that brings a camera wherever I go, especially more so that I love taking photos of landscapes/nature and of my baby. One can never have too many photos, right? But when I go to my local USCIS office, I leave the camera, cell phone, and stapler (lol..just kidding...I don't carry one of those..but I find it odd that they ask for staplers.), and other personal belongings, in the locked car/van, as the guard at the door usually asks about such, and I don't want to cause any problems with them and when I go through the metal dectors there too. My husband and I just bring our wallets and/or other identification and paperwork needed for our case when we go through the building...no fuss no muss...Oh yes, and don't forget to bring the baby too (can't leave him in the car..lol..). We plan to do the same for the interview coming up too. The only exception is that instead of carrying in the baby in my arms like I did last time, we'll bring the carseat and/or stroller too, since we'll be there for awhile and he'll be warmer and more comfortale in such. Hopefully they shouldn't give us problems about that.

As for the oath, I'm not sure if cameras are allowed, but if I am able to, yes, I'll bring the camera in the building too, as it is a memorable occasion and should be captured this way.

Still, like you, I don't understand what the paranoia is all about either ....What's the deal with the guards and metal dectors and not being able to take photos in and around most government buildings?....

As for your son and husband, maybe instead of having them somewhere else, the can be in the building with you for your interview and oath. There should be waiting areas and/or special seating areas, and shouldn't be a problem for them to be there while you get your interview and oath done. As long as your husband can take care of your son and your son behaves while waiting, then it shoould be ok. And if they are conveniently in the building, and the immigration officer wants to see them, you don't have to go elsewhere to search and/or call them, which saves time there.

When I go for my interview and oath, my husband and 3-4 month old son will be in the building with me. Lol..no point in them waiting in the freezing cold winter weather outside and wandering around aimlessly on the bar-lined streets in the area...lol.....And if the IO needs them (or they need me, especially the baby who is still nursing), no problems there since they are in the building and close by too...

Hope this helps as well. Good luck on your journey.

Ant

I've been regularly visiting this N-400 discussion to help me prepare for my upcoming interview, hopefully next month. And I read somewhere that an applicant was asked a document to prove her marriage. As far as I know, I submitted gobs of proof of my marriage when I renewed my greencard, but it seems that everytime you file a form, those papers should be submitted separately (which means heaps of papers in their office).

But anyway, my question is, how recent should the bills be, how far back should I bring with me to show that our names appear on the bill(s)? Is it going to be for the last 3 months? What is gernerally accepted? I understand, we have to bring the originals of those that we filed with our N-400 application, so on top of that, we have to bring copies of our bills, am I right?

One more thing, are we allowed to bring a camera on the day of our interview or only when you take the oath? I don't wanna go through the same thing I went through when I had my biometrics that the security guard told us that we could be incarcerated for taking a pic, in my case, a pic of myself with their office background, take note, not inside the office, just for documentation purposes of my Citizenship journey. It doesn't make sense to me.

How about cellphones? See, I applied on the basis of marriage to an American citizen, and I will be leaving my 20-month old son with my husband outside. There were instances here when the IO asked for the husband's presence, therefore I would be needing my cellphone with me to call him when needed.

Your inputs would highly be appreciated[/font].[/color] [/size]

[Mom2LilNoah 0]

NickD: Cellphones, a no-no...I got you.

Ant...: Thanks for the help. When I had my biometrics, the lady showed me the study materials even before she started taking my fingerprints that she said I should get one before leaving the office. When I was done, she then handed me a survey form, that I had to fill out and drop in the designated box. I only realized that I forgot to get a copy of the study materials when we were already half-way home . I am not getting any younger (now have a memory like a sieve...poor me). You think I would be missing a lot for not getting one?

Well, when I said, leave them outside, I mean, for them to stay in the building, probably stay in a waiting room, and not outside. I can't imagine my son confined in his car seat for so long. He would definitely be in his stroller while they wait for me. I just don't have a clue how the office looks like so I don't know what's in there for applicants who have company.

Once again thanks and good luck for both of us.

Meanwhile, I'm studying for the civics test, from the booklet and cd that I got at the fingerprints appointment. Did you get such study materials too?

As for your son and husband, maybe instead of having them somewhere else, the can be in the building with you for your interview and oath. There should be waiting areas and/or special seating areas, and shouldn't be a problem for them to be there while you get your interview and oath done. As long as your husband can take care of your son and your son behaves while waiting, then it shoould be ok. And if they are conveniently in the building, and the immigration officer wants to see them, you don't have to go elsewhere to search and/or call them, which saves time there.

[antda 13]

Hi Mom2LilNoah,

You're welcome for the help....

Sorry that you didn't get the book and the cd when you got your biometrics/fingerprints done. Their fault there, really..not yours! They should have jsut gave you those before you left, instead of focusing on the survey. Anyways, if you missed the book and cd, you can find the study materials here (which you need for the test that they will ask for the interview):

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0004718190aRCRD

And good luck bringing your son to the interview too. Yeah, I know what you mean about kids being there too long. He should be ok in his stroller there (along with some food, toys, or whatever else needed to keep him occupied and happy while waiting). As for not being there, wern't you there before for the fingerprints? Or is the interview at a different office? Maybe you can ask other vjers who have been there for their suggestions and reviews too for your local office? I'm sure that they would have a waiting area, or something like that, even though it might be limited. I know my small local office (of Buffalo NY) has a waiting area, so more likely than not, others will have the same too, especially if it is a big city with a big local office.

Good luck on your journey and good luck with the upcoming interview too.

Ant

Ant...: Thanks for the help. When I had my biometrics, the lady showed me the study materials even before she started taking my fingerprints that she said I should get one before leaving the office. When I was done, she then handed me a survey form, that I had to fill out and drop in the designated box. I only realized that I forgot to get a copy of the study materials when we were already half-way home . I am not getting any younger (now have a memory like a sieve...poor me). You think I would be missing a lot for not getting one?

Well, when I said, leave them outside, I mean, for them to stay in the building, probably stay in a waiting room, and not outside. I can't imagine my son confined in his car seat for so long. He would definitely be in his stroller while they wait for me. I just don't have a clue how the office looks like so I don't know what's in there for applicants who have company.

Once again thanks and good luck for both of us.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[NickD 203]

Read on the biometrics notice about the study material, since we had to make yet another 430 mile drive for the third set of fingerprints, made darn sure we got it. Took awhile for the guy that took the prints to find it. We played the CD on the way home, wife and I almost fell asleep listening to it. See people on the internet trying to sell the CD for 30 bucks.

Ended up downloading the test from the net, used Word to make two columns, printed out just two sheets that could be folded so my wife could take those with her in her purse. We reviewed all hundred questions twice on the drive over to her interview, she got the first six questions correct. I did convert the short version of the test to an MP3 and loaded it into her player, but it was better for her to read the questions and answers.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I've been regularly visiting this N-400 discussion to help me prepare for my upcoming interview, hopefully next month. And I read somewhere that an applicant was asked a document to prove her marriage. As far as I know, I submitted gobs of proof of my marriage when I renewed my greencard, but it seems that everytime you file a form, those papers should be submitted separately (which means heaps of papers in their office).

But anyway, my question is, how recent should the bills be, how far back should I bring with me to show that our names appear on the bill(s)? Is it going to be for the last 3 months? What is gernerally accepted? I understand, we have to bring the originals of those that we filed with our N-400 application, so on top of that, we have to bring copies of our bills, am I right?

I brought bank statements that covered the time period since I filed to remove conditions along with some general bills re: maintenance around the house; health bills, etc. that I had paid for to show I was still living at the same address as was my husband. I didn't overload on additional evidence - and when I had my interview, none of it was required. The IO had my whole immigration file there and basically just went through the forms we submitted with the N400 application. She didn't even want to see the originals of the documents I submitted., although definitely bring them. You will be asked for your green card, your ID (passport/Driver's License) and I think that was all she wanted to see.

One more thing, are we allowed to bring a camera on the day of our interview or only when you take the oath? I don't wanna go through the same thing I went through when I had my biometrics that the security guard told us that we could be incarcerated for taking a pic, in my case, a pic of myself with their office background, take note, not inside the office, just for documentation purposes of my Citizenship journey. It doesn't make sense to me.

You are allowed to bring a camera and cell phone into the waiting room and oath room in Atlanta. Bring them for the interview because Atlanta will sometimes do a same day oath ceremony if your appointment is in the morning. They do ask you not to use your cell phones but people definitely had them there.

How about cellphones? See, I applied on the basis of marriage to an American citizen, and I will be leaving my 20-month old son with my husband outside. There were instances here when the IO asked for the husband's presence, therefore I would be needing my cellphone with me to call him when needed.

Your husband and son will be able to come inside with you and wait with you in the waiting room. They won't be allowed to accompany you into the IO's office but that is just down the hall from the waiting room and you will go right back to the waiting room after the interview so there is no real need for a cellphone - unless he needs to call you for an emergency. If the IO wants to talk to him then it is a matter of just walking down the hall to talk to him in person. He would not be allowed back where you are unaccompanied anyway as it is in a secured separate office area so she would have to go to him. The IO was not at all interested in my husband although he was there waiting. The interview lasted about 10-15 minutes at the most.

On the day of the Oath ceremony, the family members wait in a different waiting room than those taking the oath. You will be together with every other person taking the oath. USCIS staff review your documents and oath letter, then let you review your citizenship document for accuracy, then they take your green card and you take your seat in the ceremony room. After all of the applicants are seated, only then are family members allowed in, so you won't be sitting with your husband during the ceremony. He can take pictures of you during the ceremony and afterwards out in the waiting room.

Your inputs would highly be appreciated.

Good luck at the interview! Atlanta is a nice facility in which to have your interview and oath ceremony. Edited October 18, 2009 by Kathryn41

[Mom2LilNoah 0]

Kathryn: Thanks a lot for the response, you definitely answered my questions. I forgot to check this thread and realized I received 3 more replies, my appreciation for taking the time to share what you know. That's nice to learn that Atalanta is a nice facility to be interviewed and take the oath, what a relief

NickD: Even before I submitted my application, I have already printed out the 100-questions online for me to study. And I'd like to believe that the study material provided during the biometrics are exactly the same, right?

AntD: "As for not being there, wern't you there before for the fingerprints? Or is the interview at a different office? Maybe you can ask other vjers who have been there for their suggestions and reviews too for your local office?"

No, I had all my fingerprinting done in Alabama, where I am currently residing. Therefore I don't know exactly how it looks like and how offices are situated until Kathryn responded. On the other hand, when I applied for the renewal of my greencard for it to be good for 10 years, I wasn't interviewed either, unlike some of my friends who did.