A few questions regarding N-400 Filing

[sasaqlain 24]

Hi all,

I am compiling documents and weighing my own position to file for Naturalization and have a few questions. Please help me clarify.

1) Since I am filing based on marriage, I understand that I can apply within 3 years of residency. My question is that since we can file early, I still wouldn't have completed 3 years, so how do I check that box since its not been three years yet. Or am I supposed to?

2) Do I send in only copies of documents(Marriage certificate, previous divorce decree, spouse's citizenship proof, child's birth certificate, etc)?

3) Can I translate a document myself? I did the same during AOS and signed it.

4) Most Important. I have made three trips to my home country during the last three years. My total time outside the US was 144 days. Am I eligble to file on time?

I'll appreciate your input.

[nwctzn 55]

1) Since I am filing based on marriage, I understand that I can apply within 3 years of residency. My question is that since we can file early, I still wouldn't have completed 3 years, so how do I check that box since its not been three years yet. Or am I supposed to?

Yes, you do check that box. They are aware that you can file 90 days earlier than your 3rd/5th year anniversary.

2) Do I send in only copies of documents(Marriage certificate, previous divorce decree, spouse's citizenship proof, child's birth certificate, etc)?

I assume you send copies (certified maybe) of those documents. Do not send in your original marriage certificate, you might not see it again

3) Can I translate a document myself? I did the same during AOS and signed it.

I think that is possible, but I am not 100% sure. Maybe others can chime in if this is the case or if you need an authorized translator to do it. I think there is also a possibility that you let the translation do by a native speaker friend and let him/her sign stating that he/she is a native speaker of that language. You need to double-check that.

4) Most Important. I have made three trips to my home country during the last three years. My total time outside the US was 144 days. Am I eligible to file on time?

You meet the physical presence (18 months out of 3 years or 30 months out of 5 years) and continuous residence (no trip longer than 6 months) requirements. So you are good to file on time.

Best of luck!

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Edited April 13, 2012 by nwctzn

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Send in copies of your documents and they don't need to be certified. You can always bring the originals to your interview. You're fine on your 144 days out of the country as it is less than 6 months at one time and under 18 months total.

[sasaqlain 24]

Thank you for your replies. Your responses have clarified my reservations. I only need some clarification on the translation of documents now.

[littleg15uk 0]

I am about to send in my N-400 and remember when I compiled all the paperwork to get my green card the USCIS were very particular in how it was put together, eg two punch holes on top of pages, tabs on bottom etc, are there any particular requirements for N-400 package?

[HeatDeath 430]

Be aware, when filing based on 3 years of marriage, you can send the packet 90 days before you have been a PR for 3 years, but you must have been actually married for 3 full years at the time of filing. In other words, you can't file under after your third wedding anniversary.

I have never done tabs, hole punching, page numbers, or any such thing for any of my USCIS filings, and everything has always gone perfectly smoothly. I typically just have everything neatly ordered in a file folder, in the order listed in my cover letter, multipage documents or forms stapled together but everything else just lose in the folder, and slide that right into a UPSP cardboard mailer. Remember, whatever you do to package it, they'll just have to undo it to get it into their binders and clips the way they like it. Don't worry too much about it.

[hieumin 2]

I am about to send in my N-400 and remember when I compiled all the paperwork to get my green card the USCIS were very particular in how it was put together, eg two punch holes on top of pages, tabs on bottom etc, are there any particular requirements for N-400 package?

I put all documents in order according to my cover sheet. For bank statements, tax return transcripts (two or more of the same type) I used paper clips. Hope that help.

[gringasuramerican 3]

I will be filing in a few months and have questions about the questions about children. Do I have to name my husbands kids?. They don't live with us but spend time with us. Since they're step kids and it says on the instructions, it doesn't matter if they live with you or not, I should include them . Correct?

I also have to name my own son, who is an adult and lives in another country. Right?

I just want to clarify this.