Questions on the N-400 form

[hon_bun 0]

Hi,

I have a few general questions about the N-400 form. I'll be applying for naturalization in a couple of months.

1. Part H, Oath Requirements. Is an applicant supposed to answer "Yes" to all questions? I'm not sure if I'm willing to bear arms for the U.S. in case of a military conflict (my personal beliefs) but I don't want to be denied citizenship by answering No. If an applicant answers Yes to all questions, does it mean that he/she swears to the same obligation when naturalizing in person?

2. I know that applicants are supposed to bring their old/other passports to the naturalization interview. Does it mean that an applicant automatically revokes his/her second citizenship? Is there a way to keep passports of both the native country and the U.S.?

Thanks.

[Calicolom 266]

Very simple, do not become a citizen of the U.S. Problem solved.

[Sukie 1,464]

The United States now allows you to have more than one passport (they didn't when I was born, or I would have a German passport, too). However, your original country may not allow you to retain your original passport - it depends on your country.

Sukie

[Shag 0]

1. You are supposed to answer Yes to all the questions in Path H. This is the Oath you will be required to take at the ceremony:

http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/naturalization-test/naturalization-oath-allegiance-united-states-america

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

2. The US does not require you to give up your former citizenship, you would need to see if your former country allows dual citizenship. It looks like Russia allows dual citizenship and has similar entry/exit requirements to the US

http://www.consulrussia.org/eng/faq.html

"If you are a citizen of Russia and receive US citizenship, it does not mean that you automatically lose your Russian citizenship, because, according to the Russian Law, no person can be deprived of his/her citizenship, but on his/her stated (i.e. put officially in order) will. Russian Law does not forbid you to have several citizenships, however, considers you only a Russian citizen and does not recognize dual citizenship, and therefore, requires you to travel in and out of Russia on your Russian passport. The Consulate General as federal organization enforces the Law of the State, so, every person, whose foreign passports or travel documents indicate his/her place of birth as "Russia" or "USSR", or one of the states, which was a republic or a part of the former USSR, will be required to present a proof of absence of Russian citizenship."

[otta 7]

You can say "no" to the bearing arms question and request an oath modification to this effect, but you will be asked to provide "evidence" that your beliefs prevent you from fighting in war. Essentially they ask for a letter from a "spiritual leader" like a priest who can confirm that you hold such convictions. It's dumb, because this assumes that atheists cannot hold moral views that are anti-war or anti-violence. You can google and find examples of people who have gone through this for more detail. However, most people decide not to bother and just give the expected answer.

As for calicolom, don't be an uneducated jerk. Many US citizens hold anti-war views and it doesn't make them any worse citizens than those who claim (!) they would fight for the US. Before you offer your insulting advice to not become a US citizen, maybe inform yourself and realize that it's fine to say no to this question, as long as you're willing to deal with more paperwork and possibly delays.

A quick search finds many quotes from USCIS, for example:

"A refusal to bear arms was justified on the basis of religious training and beliefs. Under current law, an applicant opposed to bearing arms or performing noncombatant service because of his or her religious training and beliefs is exempt from taking the full oath of allegiance." http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/naturalization-test/naturalization-oath-allegiance-united-states-america

More details on oath modification and the issue of bearing arms in particular:

http://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume12-PartJ-Chapter3.html

On my naturalization ceremony next week, I'm doing an affirmation oath (without "so help me God") which doesn't require any special procedures (freedom of religion, after all). I think people should realize that you don't have to recite the oath as is and a few types of modifications exist.

Hi,

I have a few general questions about the N-400 form. I'll be applying for naturalization in a couple of months.

1. Part H, Oath Requirements. Is an applicant supposed to answer "Yes" to all questions? I'm not sure if I'm willing to bear arms for the U.S. in case of a military conflict (my personal beliefs) but I don't want to be denied citizenship by answering No. If an applicant answers Yes to all questions, does it mean that he/she swears to the same obligation when naturalizing in person?

2. I know that applicants are supposed to bring their old/other passports to the naturalization interview. Does it mean that an applicant automatically revokes his/her second citizenship? Is there a way to keep passports of both the native country and the U.S.?

Thanks.

[Jon and Krissy 452]

Females in the U.S. don't get drafted. So I'm not sure what you're worried about.

Hi,

I have a few general questions about the N-400 form. I'll be applying for naturalization in a couple of months.

1. Part H, Oath Requirements. Is an applicant supposed to answer "Yes" to all questions? I'm not sure if I'm willing to bear arms for the U.S. in case of a military conflict (my personal beliefs) but I don't want to be denied citizenship by answering No. If an applicant answers Yes to all questions, does it mean that he/she swears to the same obligation when naturalizing in person?

2. I know that applicants are supposed to bring their old/other passports to the naturalization interview. Does it mean that an applicant automatically revokes his/her second citizenship? Is there a way to keep passports of both the native country and the U.S.?

Thanks.

[hon_bun 0]

Cool. Thanks everyone