Required evidence during filing vs. at interview

[el_greco 20]

My window for early filing my N-400 opens this weekend (3 year case) and I am planning to submit my application online. I have been reading the forum posts as well as the most recent version of the instructions for N-400 on uscis.gov (valid through 09/30/2022), and I am a bit confused regarding the volume of required evidence (as it looks much different, and I dare say much simpler when compared to my prior AOS and ROC applications).

 

On page 10 onward ("Required Evidence") it states that, in my case, I only need to submit Photocopy of Permanent Resident Card and Photocopy of Current Legal Marital Status Document. That's it? No photographs (since I reside in the US), no proof of my spouse's US citizenship, no birth certificate for our child, no continuous residence proof, no taxes... should all this only be brought to the interview? (Page 11: "Below is a list of documents to bring with you to your Form N-400 interview")

 

The instructions make it seem very straightforward and clear-cut, but because there are several outdated guides (including the checklist here that explicitly mentions photographs, and even an older USCIS guide!), and my prior experience with AOS/ROC required binders of front-loaded applications, I am getting paranoid that I am missing something. Is it really that simple for the application?

 

Thank you in advance and I apologize if my question is really *that* simple...

[ch3john 308]

It's best to submit as much evidence as you can with your application. That was they can review before you interview and make a decision faster. The application itself tells you what is required and what evidence to submit. 

 

Good luck!

[Timona 4,209]

You have to show proof of your spouse being a US citizen. You also have to upload a picture of your GC, IRS transcript, marriage certificate, and proof of residences where you've stayed etc. I can't remember everything 

 

Anyway, whenever you start your online application,  you will realize that you don't need all those evidences that you're reading from the PDF. USCIS will tell you exactly what to submit, which would be less than what the PDF states. 

 

So start your application online and you'll see

[HRQX 4,145]

2 hours ago, el_greco said:

as well as the most recent version of the instructions for N-400 on uscis.gov (valid through 09/30/2022)

Note that OMB dates don't matter:

 

[Undecided 78]

Hmm - my application wasn’t under the 3 year rule (I’ve lived in the USA for more than 30 years) but I did attach not only a copy of my green card and marriage certificate (plus, and this might not apply to you, proof of the dissolution of previous marriages for both of us), but also - copy of children’s birth certificates, copies of the available tax transcripts. I did not include a copy of my citizen husbands BC. I took it with me to the interview plus the originals of everything else but wasn’t asked for it. The only thing the IO actually looked at was my green card and passport, and driver license.  I did NOT provide separate proof of residence and was not asked for it on the form although I imagine the tax transcripts and  the drivers license (presented at interview) perform that function.

 

I applied in January, and even with a cancelled interview due to covid, I will be having my oath ceremony on August 18th.

 

At the end of the form you are given the option to provide any copies of additional evidence that you think might be relevant. I feel there is no downside to providing such evidence and as someone else mentioned - this might make the decision easier.

[Limey 551]

I did N400 earlier this year. I did it online, and it prompts for documents in separate sections. I was petitioning under 3 year rule.

 

1) I had to provide marriage certificate, and proof of spouses US citizenship (scanned passport) and her dissolved previous marriage.

 

2) it specifically asked for tax returns for last 3 years - the official transcripts. I had to obtain these from the IRS. You're not eligible to naturalize if you have back taxes owed I believe. We file jointly which probably helps prove mingling of finances.

 

3) it then asked for additional documents to show marriage was real. I submitted similar things to ROC here - house ownership docs in joint names, house insurance in joint names, life insurance and health insurance (showing me as beneficiary on wife's policy), car lease/registration/insurance in joint names. A couple of statements from joint account.

 

As with ROC we had literally years of bank statements and utility bills with both names on, so I just submitted a couple a year or two apart during our marriage.

I assume (as with previous applications) that quality of proof is more important than quantity - numerous bank statements from every month aren't much more use than a couple during the period - its better to provide a variety of different types of documents (health insurance, house ownership, travel together etc).

I was approved with no RFE. I bought the documents to the interview as requested (you're supposed to bring originals of any you submitted copies of during application) but the interviewer didn't check any of them and I was approved.