N400 3 year rule supporting evidence

[Valor 131]

Hi All,

 

I'm getting ready to file my N400 soon based on 3 year rule. I just want to make sure I have all the documents ready before starting the online submission process. My main question for now is that how much supporting evidence do I need to submit online to show the marriage is bona fide? For our ROC, we sent everything but kitchen sink and it took me around a month to prepare for the documents. I've seen the checklist and have read people commenting about sending minimum documents that USCIS are asking. So if we just send the past three years' tax transcripts, would that be enough for this section?

 

[Dashinka 25,922]

We followed the list of required evidence from the N400 Instructions.  It is not like the ROC, so the bonafides of the marriage are not applicable.

 

Good Luck!

 

Below is a list of documents to submit with your Form N-400.

1. Photographs. Only applicants who reside overseas must provide two identical color photographs of yourself taken recently. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched. Passport-style photos must be 2" x 2". The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1" to 1 3/8" from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8" to 1 3/8" from bottom of photo. Your head must be bare, unless contrary to your religious beliefs. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photo.
2. Photocopy of Permanent Resident Card. Provide a photocopy of the front and back of your Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card). USCIS must be able to read the information on the photocopy. If you have lost your Form I-551, attach a photocopy of any other entry document or a photocopy of a receipt showing that you have filed Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
3. Photocopy of your Current Legal Marital Status Document. Provide a photocopy of your current marriage certificate, divorce, annulment decree, or death certificate of former spouse.
4. Documents for Military Personnel or Spouses of Military Personnel:

A. Form N-426 (Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service). If you are a current member of the U.S. Armed Forces, provide a completed and certified Form N-426. If you are separated from the military, provide an uncertified Form N-426. 

 

B. Evidence of Military Service. If you ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces, provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214, for all periods of service. If you are currently serving in an active duty status within the United States or abroad, you should submit a photocopy of your official military orders.

C. Spouses of Military Personnel have additional requirements. Refer to Naturalization Information for Military Personnel (M-599) for eligibility requirements. You can obtain this information on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/military.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/n-400instr.pdf

[Valor 131]

7 hours ago, Bill & Katya said:

We followed the list of required evidence from the N400 Instructions.  It is not like the ROC, so the bonafides of the marriage are not applicable.

 

Good Luck!

 

Below is a list of documents to submit with your Form N-400.

1. Photographs. Only applicants who reside overseas must provide two identical color photographs of yourself taken recently. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched. Passport-style photos must be 2" x 2". The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1" to 1 3/8" from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8" to 1 3/8" from bottom of photo. Your head must be bare, unless contrary to your religious beliefs. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photo.
2. Photocopy of Permanent Resident Card. Provide a photocopy of the front and back of your Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card). USCIS must be able to read the information on the photocopy. If you have lost your Form I-551, attach a photocopy of any other entry document or a photocopy of a receipt showing that you have filed Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
3. Photocopy of your Current Legal Marital Status Document. Provide a photocopy of your current marriage certificate, divorce, annulment decree, or death certificate of former spouse.
4. Documents for Military Personnel or Spouses of Military Personnel:

A. Form N-426 (Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service). If you are a current member of the U.S. Armed Forces, provide a completed and certified Form N-426. If you are separated from the military, provide an uncertified Form N-426. 

 

B. Evidence of Military Service. If you ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces, provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214, for all periods of service. If you are currently serving in an active duty status within the United States or abroad, you should submit a photocopy of your official military orders.

C. Spouses of Military Personnel have additional requirements. Refer to Naturalization Information for Military Personnel (M-599) for eligibility requirements. You can obtain this information on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/military.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/n-400instr.pdf

Thank you for your reply.  Did they just update their requirements on the documents for online submission? I no longer see them asking for tax transcripts or even the USC spouse's naturalization copy. 

[Dashinka 25,922]

11 minutes ago, Valor said:

Thank you for your reply.  Did they just update their requirements on the documents for online submission? I no longer see them asking for tax transcripts or even the USC spouse's naturalization copy. 

If you look at the instructions, those are documents you would bring to the interview.

 

Good Luck!

[afrocraft 314]

Here's how I'd look at it.

 

It is your burden to prove that you qualify for the immigration benefit you are applying for. You are applying for accelerated naturalization based on marriage to a US citizen. In addition to the general criteria for naturalization (continuous residence, good moral character, etc.), you also have to show that 1) you've been married to a US citizen for at least 3 years (hence, marriage/divorce certificates are required), and 2) you've been living in a marital union for all of that time.

 

As to the second criteria -- marital union -- the nature of the evidence depends on your circumstances. Most people probably need only show basic cohabitation and co-mingling using official docs (state IDs, tax returns). If you live apart from your spouse, then other documentation may be required. You can submit those docs at filing (my preference) or during your interview.

[Valor 131]

15 hours ago, afrocraft said:

Here's how I'd look at it.

 

It is your burden to prove that you qualify for the immigration benefit you are applying for. You are applying for accelerated naturalization based on marriage to a US citizen. In addition to the general criteria for naturalization (continuous residence, good moral character, etc.), you also have to show that 1) you've been married to a US citizen for at least 3 years (hence, marriage/divorce certificates are required), and 2) you've been living in a marital union for all of that time.

 

As to the second criteria -- marital union -- the nature of the evidence depends on your circumstances. Most people probably need only show basic cohabitation and co-mingling using official docs (state IDs, tax returns). If you live apart from your spouse, then other documentation may be required. You can submit those docs at filing (my preference) or during your interview.

Thanks for your input on this. We live together and have lots of documents we can submit.  I guess my main concern is how much we actually need to submit, we'd like to submit enough evidence but also don't want to overdo it. 

[afrocraft 314]

8 minutes ago, Valor said:

Thanks for your input on this. We live together and have lots of documents we can submit.  I guess my main concern is how much we actually need to submit, we'd like to submit enough evidence but also don't want to overdo it. 

Since your case is straightforward, if you ask me, I'd say for the application: State IDs with the same address and tax returns.

For the interview: The above plus lease agreements, and utility bills with both names just in case.

[glowie85 11]

1 hour ago, Valor said:

Thanks for your input on this. We live together and have lots of documents we can submit.  I guess my main concern is how much we actually need to submit, we'd like to submit enough evidence but also don't want to overdo it. 

I included (but this was in March) and was approved (in September) without any ask for any of the originals or additional info:
Beneficiary on each other's life insurance
Emergency contact at work
Shared bank account (statements)
Shared Credit Cards (statements)
Car insurance in both names
Car registration in both names

Tax transcripts 2016 to now
Marriage Certificate 
Naturalization cert of hubby

 

Maybe include lease if in both names, utility bills, etc.

 

I don't think you can overdo anything. But as much as you think and makes you feel good about it.
To the interview you then just need to bring the originals of the certificates and a couple of the original statements/bills (next to you passport/green card/driver's license).

Edited November 1, 2019 by glowie85

[Fr8dog 424]

My thoughts (for what they are worth). You have either a pending or an approved ROC. They have all the documents. I'll bring them to the interview but I did not upload them.

[Valor 131]

Thank you all very much for your replies!!

[Valor 131]

One more question, does anyone know when can you start working on the online application? My window opens up in a few days so do I have to start after that or can I start earlier and submit later?

[cyclone27 710]

I just did a mini update to i751 from time we submitted to when we applied.

[glowie85 11]

On 11/3/2019 at 7:29 AM, Valor said:

One more question, does anyone know when can you start working on the online application? My window opens up in a few days so do I have to start after that or can I start earlier and submit later?

You can start now, then save the app without submitting it and just submit when you are eligible. The save holds for 30 days from the last change (so if you don't login ad do something with it, your draft will get deleted after 30 days). 

[Valor 131]

10 minutes ago, glowie85 said:

You can start now, then save the app without submitting it and just submit when you are eligible. The save holds for 30 days from the last change (so if you don't login ad do something with it, your draft will get deleted after 30 days). 

Many thanks!!