Divorced, Applying under 5-year Rule

[silvermug 16]

Hello,

I am a little nervous about my naturalization interview in a few weeks. More specifically, I'm worried that they may revisit my marriage (and divorce).

Here is my timeline:

2006 - Came to the US on F1

2009 - Transferred to H1B; same year I met my ex-husband

2010 - Got married (first time for both of us) and got GC later that year

2012 - Our marriage started to turn bad; there were good days, and there were bad days

- Nov, we went to marriage counseling because it was getting hard for us to communicate

2013 - May, I got my perm GC through ROC

- Nov, I got a job offer from another state and relocated

2014 - Divorce was filed.

- I entered a relationship

- Nov, Divorce judgment received; I started paying spousal support to him

2015 - Apr, I gave birth to my daughter.

I have been reading online forums and that they ask questions about the prior marriage and the divorce. I got married in good faith, with the intentions of having kids and building a family. I do not know how to answer the question, "why did you separate?" without getting too lengthy and into the details. I am also not sure what documents the IO might ask in my case.

Documents I have with me:

- I have tax returns in the last 5 years, filing jointly through tax year 2013. We started filing as single for tax year 2014 because divorce was already finalized that year.

- I have a document for the personal loan we took on Nov 2013, before I relocated. We both signed on this personal loan because it required a US citizen to co-sign.

- I have the bank statements starting May 2013 (after ROC) when we moved to a different apartment. These bank statements have both of our pay checks direct deposited into it. The apartment rent paid through personal check also came from this account (personal check image shown in the statement).

- I have the invoice/statement from our marriage counselor when we went for counseling in 2012.

- I still have some documents (health documents) showing we were living in the same address after ROC.

- I have the bank statements showing that I have fulfilled my obligation to pay him spousal support per divorce agreement.

- I have my Abstract of Driving document showing that the speeding ticket I got in 2008 had a fine of $150 (less than $500)

I have documents for our travels together and some retirement accounts showing him as beneficiary -- before ROC. But I do not know if those are still relevant (?)

What other documents do you think I should prepare (I really wish I still have access to the accounts!) that may be of use or that IO may ask for?

Thank you, and I apologize if this has become long. This is what happens when I'm nervous. I tend to talk a lot, think out loud, say stupid things, make mistakes, and then worry more. Ugh!

[almost_umrican 54]

Answers to questions you put can vary upon individual cases. i recently had my N400 interview it went smooth. they usually do not grill you but like i said it can be one individual experience depending upon a good/moody IO as well. your case seem pretty solid and you have played by the book.you will be fine (again, that is subjective). if it still don't make you feel better. take an attorney along. the IO thinks twice before putting any embarrassing question in the presence of an attorney. N400 interview is usually the end (ofcourse the oath) of the immigration journey, the USICS have everything from your side by this time and process goes smooth for the majority at this level.

Bottom line - 1) Go by yourself if you think you can handle the pressure (which in most of the cases is self inflicted and is understandable) or 2) Take along an attorney.

[silvermug 16]

Answers to questions you put can vary upon individual cases. i recently had my N400 interview it went smooth. they usually do not grill you but like i said it can be one individual experience depending upon a good/moody IO as well. your case seem pretty solid and you have played by the book.you will be fine (again, that is subjective). if it still don't make you feel better. take an attorney along. the IO thinks twice before putting any embarrassing question in the presence of an attorney. N400 interview is usually the end (ofcourse the oath) of the immigration journey, the USICS have everything from your side by this time and process goes smooth for the majority at this level.

Bottom line - 1) Go by yourself if you think you can handle the pressure (which in most of the cases is self inflicted and is understandable) or 2) Take along an attorney.

Thank you for your reply. Are you in a similar case (divorced under 5-year rule)?

Yes, I have also read about things varying quite significantly depending on the mood of the IO. I just hope I get a nice IO, at least someone who does not intentionally intimidate the applicant. Hehe.

I have retained a lawyer for my N400 application. And this is primarily because I am a nervous Nellie and worry over even the trivial things. We are going to do a prep interview and then he is going with me to the interview.