documents for interview

[flsusi 3]

I am preparing for my interview that is a month away...!

besides studying the questions like a crazy person I was wondering one thing:

In the invitation letter they list all sorts of things to bring along, documents etc (like proof of marriage if you apply based on marriage, tax information if you owe taxes, police records if you were arrested etc)

I am applying based on my greencard that I won in the diversity lottery.

According to the letter, none of the documents apply to me.

So...should I really go there empty handed?

what else is there to take?

I would rather take too much than too little.

Also: they say that one should bring two passport pictures, but that it's only recommended not required.

How confusing!!

what are the pictures for, and do we need them or not?

Thanks for your help, you guys make the world of a difference in this journey!!!

[Dakine 26]

I am preparing for my interview that is a month away...!

besides studying the questions like a crazy person I was wondering one thing:

In the invitation letter they list all sorts of things to bring along, documents etc (like proof of marriage if you apply based on marriage, tax information if you owe taxes, police records if you were arrested etc)

I am applying based on my greencard that I won in the diversity lottery.

According to the letter, none of the documents apply to me.

So...should I really go there empty handed?

what else is there to take?

I would rather take too much than too little.

Also: they say that one should bring two passport pictures, but that it's only recommended not required.

How confusing!!

what are the pictures for, and do we need them or not?

Thanks for your help, you guys make the world of a difference in this journey!!!

Here in Hawaii they use the PP photos for the naturalization certificate. They don't take your picture when you do biometrics.

[karenros 0]

take ur ssn card...

[NickD 203]

If applying for the five year, don't have to provide proof of marriage, that requires a ton of evidence. Exactly what did you send in with your application? Suppose to bring in all the original documents of whatever you sent in, but not very much. I really didn't read all that fine print for my daughter that had to wait the full five years.

USCIS tends to lose things, even your photos, that is why they suggest you bring in two more, they are not responsible for anything they lose, but you are, if you want your certificate.

[NickD 203]

Oh, never met anyone that won the lottery before, not even the powerball, congratulations, odds of winning the immigration lottery are about the same as winning the powerball.

[flsusi 3]

Oh, never met anyone that won the lottery before, not even the powerball, congratulations, odds of winning the immigration lottery are about the same as winning the powerball.

I know, I couldn't believe my luck!!!! and - I almost deleted the email that notified me cause I thought it was spam

it must be the most pain free way to get a greencard, it took only 4 months, I had an interview at the embassy in Germany, a quick doctors appointment, and that's it!!! not even a conditional greencard, but the 10 year version! easy as pie!!!

I didn't send very much with my application. Just pictures, drivers license copy, passport copy etc.

Hm. I think I will take my tax returns just in case, of course passport, greencard etc, and the SSN!

[NickD 203]

Believe three year tax returns are necessary, have been saving those for my daughter that was dumb enough to turn 18 before my wife could apply. She would have been under 18 if the USCIS wasn't so slow in processing our applications. Guess they needed that extra 675 bucks.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yes, take your tax returns to prove you have been filing taxes; proof of residency in the US; your passport as evidence of travel outside of the US, your green card and DL and the two passport photos even though you submitted two with your application. Basically, the two you bring are back-ups in case the ones you submitted aren't appropriate. At the interview you will sign the photographs lengthwise along side of the face and one of them will be physically attached to your Citizenship certificate. You will want to read over "The Guide to Naturalization" - it should answer any questions you may have about other types of evidence you may need to bring. Here is the link: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...000b92ca60aRCRD

Good luck on the interview!

Edited December 21, 2009 by Kathryn41

[antda 13]

Hi Flsusi,

This is a "general checklist" that I got with my interview letter, in regards to what to bring for the interview...

N-659 Naturalization Interview Document Check List

Notice to Naturalization Applicants

Bring the original and a photocopy of the applicable items listed below to your naturalization interview. Any document in a foreign language must be accompanied by an English language translation. The translator must certify that he or she is competent to translate and that all the translation is accurate.

You must be on time for your interview. Late arrivals may result in the need to reschedule your interview. Rescheduling can cause significant delays in the processing of your application. Bring all required documents to avoid delays in processing your case. This is a general checklist and since each case is unique, you may be required to submit additional documentation.

Document Checklist

1. You must be property attired and bring:

A. Your Permanent Resident Card (previously known as "Alien Registration Card" or "Green Card") and a

B. A government issued photo identification and

C. All passport and travel documents (expired and current) issued to you by any government.

D. Although not required, it is recommended that you bring additional passport-style photos (2"x2"). The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height must measure 1" to 1 3/8" from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height in between 1 1/8" to 1 3/8" from bottom of photo. For additional specifications, refer to <http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/ondex.html.>

2. If your current name is different than the name on your Permanent Resident Card bring:

The document that legally changed your name (e.g., marriage license, divorce decree, court

document).

3. If you are applying for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen, bring:

A. Proof that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least the past 3 yrs. (birth cert.,

naturalization cert. of citizenship, your spouse's valid US passport, or form FS-240, Report of

birth cert. abroad of a citizen of the USA), and

B. Your current marriage certificate registered by a civil authority; and

C. Proof of termination of all previous marriages for both of you (divorce decree, death cert.,

registered by a civil authority); and

D. An original IRS form 1722 listing tax information for the past 3 yrs, or copies of the income tax

forms you filed for the past 3 yrs; and

E. Proof of marital union as well as proof of residence; and

F. Certified copies of birth cert. of all your children born in the U.S.

4. If you have ever been in the US military, or are applying based on military service (see sections

328 and 329 of the INA) and have not submitted the 2 forms listed below with your N-400, bring:

A. An original form N-426, request for cert. of military or naval service; and

B. An original form G-325B, biographic information

5. If you have taken a trip outside the US that lasted for 6 mos. or more since becoming a

permanent resident, bring:

A. Evidence showing that you did not abandon your residence or terminate your employment in

the US nor abandon your US abode; and

B. An original IRS 1722 letter, listing tax information for the past 5 yrs. (or for the past 3 yrs)

if you are applying on the basis of marriage to a US citizen.

6. If you have taken a dependent spouse or children and have ordered to provide financial support,

bring:

A. Copies of the court or government order to provide finacial support; and

B. Evidence that you have complied with court order (cancelled check, money order receipts, a

court or agency printout of child support payments, or evidence of wage garnishment).

7. If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason and

no charges were filed, bring:

An official, certified statement from the arresting agency or applicable court indicating that no

charges were filed.

8. If you have ever been arrested ir detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason and

charges were filed, bring:

An original or certified copy of the record(s) arrest and the complete court disposition (dismissal

order, conviction record, or aquittal order).

9. If you have been convicted or place in an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative

program, bring:

A. The sentencing record of each incident and,

B. Evidence that you completed your sentence, such as probation record, parole record, or

evidencethat you completed an alternative program or rehabilatative program. Copies must

certified copies from the issuing agency.

10. If you have ever had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged, or otherwise

removed from your records, bring:

An original or certified copy of the court order vacating, setting aside, sealing, expunging, or

otherwise removing the arrest or conviction.

Note: Unless a traffic incident was alcohol or drug related or serious personal injury to another

personoccurred, you do not need to submit documentation for traffic fines and incidents that did

not involve an actual arrest if the only penalty was a fine of less than $500 and//or points on

your driver license.

11. If you have any Federal, State, or local taxes that are overdue, bring:

A. A signed agreement from the IRS, State, or local tax office showing that you have filed a tax

return and have arranged to pay the taxes you owe; and

B. Documentation from the IRS, State, or local tax office showing the current status of your

repayment program.

12. If you are applying for a disability exception to the testing requirement and have not submitted

form N-648, bring:

An original from N-648, medical certification of disability exceptions, completed by a licensed

medical doctor, licensed clinical psychologist, or licensed doctor of osteopathy.

13. If registered with the selective service, bring proof of such. If you did not register with the

selective and you are (1) male, (2) over 26 yrs old, (3) were born on or after January 1, 1960,

and (4) were a permanent resident between tye ages of 18 and 26 when you failed to register,

expalain your failure to register and bring:

A "status information letter" from the selective service.

14. If you are requesting expedition naturalization under section 319( B ) of the INA through the military

service, bring

The US citizen's travel order that include the name of the alien spouse and establish that the

overseas assignment will end no less than 12 mos. beyond the date of the naturalization

interview.

It pretty much applies to all cases, regardless of how one receives their green card (congrats on the diversity lottery, by the way) and just bring whatever that you have/don't have on this list...Better safe that sorry...Bring as much as you can paperwork-wise....

Needless to say, I brought the stuff on the list...But for my interview...They didn't want to see anything else (as I already submitted this stuff, along with a lot more other documents...95+ pages worth, along with my application form), except for my 10yr green card (go figure!)....

As for the photos, those will be used on your naturalization certificate, in which you sign those photos in front of the immigration officer at the interview too. The two spare ones that you bring are "just in case/backups", in case the first photos that you sent them with your application are not acceptable (and you can submit better ones too, if you didn't like your first ones).

Hope this helps too. Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey.

Ant

I am preparing for my interview that is a month away...!

besides studying the questions like a crazy person I was wondering one thing:

In the invitation letter they list all sorts of things to bring along, documents etc (like proof of marriage if you apply based on marriage, tax information if you owe taxes, police records if you were arrested etc)

I am applying based on my greencard that I won in the diversity lottery.

According to the letter, none of the documents apply to me.

So...should I really go there empty handed?

what else is there to take?

I would rather take too much than too little.

Also: they say that one should bring two passport pictures, but that it's only recommended not required.

How confusing!!

what are the pictures for, and do we need them or not?

Thanks for your help, you guys make the world of a difference in this journey!!!

Edited December 23, 2009 by Ant+D+A