Which is better: 3-year process or wait for the 5-year?

[AlHayatZween 2]

Hello!

We are back!

We are thinking of applying for Citizenship this month, the 3-year marriage based route. Scrolling through the guides and the forums, I've noticed some posters having difficulty with the 3-year process. Is it that much of a headache? Is it better to wait for the 5-year route?

I also noticed some posters having difficulty because of their tax returns. Does USCIS scrutinize the returns more meticulously than they do for AOS and ROC? Or is it the same deal? Also, do we have to send in certified copies of the returns? We never have before. I was thinking to just send in transcripts for 2009, 2010, and then a regular photocopy of our signed return for 2011.

Sorry for all the questions... Just seemed like others were having a lot of difficulty.

Many thanks!

[Visitor 90]

If you aren't in a hurry to go anywhere I have found it much easier to wait until you've been married for 5 years and been living at the same address for 5 years. It simplifies the whole process and there seems to be less paperwork to do.

I've been married for 12 years to a us born citizen and living in the states for that long. My 10 year green card expires in August 2014. I've just submitted my application for citizenship a few days ago. I could have applied for citizenship years ago but we decided to wait until we had lived in our new home for 5 years. As I said, it simplifies the process and shows the USCIS stability in both marriage and home address. Having lived at the same address for 5 years also makes it easier to gather all the necessary documents. Not suggesting you've moved but just saying.

[Dana-Mića 51]

I didn't get my citizenship through marriage but I think its easier to get after the 5 year mark. I got mine after having permanent resident status for 12 years and it was tue easiest thing I ever did.

Edited April 7, 2012 by Dana-Mića

[w1331 2]

Hello!

We are back!

We are thinking of applying for Citizenship this month, the 3-year marriage based route. Scrolling through the guides and the forums, I've noticed some posters having difficulty with the 3-year process. Is it that much of a headache? Is it better to wait for the 5-year route?

I also noticed some posters having difficulty because of their tax returns. Does USCIS scrutinize the returns more meticulously than they do for AOS and ROC? Or is it the same deal? Also, do we have to send in certified copies of the returns? We never have before. I was thinking to just send in transcripts for 2009, 2010, and then a regular photocopy of our signed return for 2011.

Sorry for all the questions... Just seemed like others were having a lot of difficulty.

Many thanks!

Hi,

I applied for N-400 with 3-year route and I didn't have any problems during the process.

As far as tax return, I just sent IRS tax transcript for the past 3 years. I don't think it's necessary to send certified copies.

I don't think USCIS scrutinize tax return more meticulously for N-400. As long as your tax returns show joint filling, you're going to be fine.

[AlHayatZween 2]

Okay, thanks, all!

Yeah, we are probably moving to a new address next month (same city, new address). I hadn't even thought of that!

We don't have a transcript for our 2011 taxes--filing them just this weekend--so was just going to send them a copy of the 2011 return.

Thanks for the info. We are still mulling it over.

Hi,

I applied for N-400 with 3-year route and I didn't have any problems during the process.

As far as tax return, I just sent IRS tax transcript for the past 3 years. I don't think it's necessary to send certified copies.

I don't think USCIS scrutinize tax return more meticulously for N-400. As long as your tax returns show joint filling, you're going to be fine.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

5 year route is easier, but 3 year route need not be difficult. If you have plenty of bonafide evidence (tax returns, joint bank account, joint owneership of house. lease, kids), you will be fine. Truth be told, I only did the thrtee year because I wanted to vote in this year's presidential elections.

[ConcordUser 18]

5 year route is easier, but 3 year route need not be difficult. If you have plenty of bonafide evidence (tax returns, joint bank account, joint owneership of house. lease, kids), you will be fine. Truth be told, I only did the thrtee year because I wanted to vote in this year's presidential elections.

Democratic or Republican? I have to wait complete my oath ceremony before I can even think about it.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

"anyone but Obama". Though I can't say any of the Republican candidates excite me....

[AlHayatZween 2]

5 year route is easier, but 3 year route need not be difficult. If you have plenty of bonafide evidence (tax returns, joint bank account, joint owneership of house. lease, kids), you will be fine. Truth be told, I only did the thrtee year because I wanted to vote in this year's presidential elections.

Thanks!

Yes, we have our stuff-- It just seems to be a repeat of what we sent for ROC a year or so ago. I guess that's okay?

Just judging from some other posters, it seemed like the 3-year filers were having a harder time. (Maybe, it's just the threads that I chose to open... Probably.)

[pacificleye 4]

Funny That is the main reason why I did my citizenship. or still doing it. I wanna vote. Anything but Republican lol. Bummer I guess we will cancell each other out. but really would be my first time voting and I'm excited

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I did it based on the 3 yr marriage rule and there was nothing difficult about it at all. I would say AOS or ROC was harder personally in terms of getting evidence together, naturalization was a cinch.

I wanted to just get it over with say good bye to USCIS for good so I couldn't wait to apply for citizenship.

[pacificleye 4]

I agree with Udella. AOS was hardest because did'nt have a clue. Really if u just did ROC it is basically a duplicate of the step. I sent in the exact document with my 2011 taxes. That's it. Hopefully that will be enough at the interview. I'd rather get it out of the way while I got all the docs in hand rather than later trying to gather and organize... But either it's at your own conveniance. Hopefully 2 to 3 years from now it dont get more complex and more extensive since USCIS like to raise fees often.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

Heheheh.... yeah we'll cancel

I agree with the others, naturalisation was the easiest part of the process.

[Jupiter07 12]

I, too, wondered whether to file based on 3 or 5. Because I wanted to vote for Obama so bad, I decided to file based on 3 yrs. Sorry, Republicans. Plus, I travel A LOT and just wanted easy traveling to other countries without the hustle of visa etc. I moved to a different state shortly before ROC.

[pacificleye 4]

I, too, wondered whether to file based on 3 or 5. Because I wanted to vote for Obama so bad, I decided to file based on 3 yrs. Sorry, Republicans. Plus, I travel A LOT and just wanted easy traveling to other countries without the hustle of visa etc. I moved to a different state shortly before ROC.

THAT TOO LOL. I was born in Gabon central Africa but my parents are from Senegal where I got my citizenship. Gabon unfortunately makes it easier for occidentals to get in and live there and make it more difficult for fellow Africans to even be visitors on tourist visa. And the sad part is that even tho I was born there and my parents still live there legally it would be easier for me to go there with USC passport rather than Senegalese one. SO taking my wife and daughter for first time to meet the rest of my family... Also now we could easily go vacationing in Europe and such countries without my original citizenship. Being a drag.