N400 Interview Supporting Documents Question

[-Shana- 152]

I have my interview next month and the letter says to bring the originals of any supporting documents that I attached with the N400 application. I attached: 

• Current account bank statements x 4 (one each year from 2017 - 2019)
• Credit card statements x 2 (one from 2019 and 2020)
• Car insurance proof
• Lease contract 2016 - 2019
• Tax return 2017, 2018 and 2019
• Pictures

I have a couple of questions about this:

1. Do they really need ALL originals or do IO's tend to focus on one type of evidence over the other? From the progress report threads I've noticed that IO's usually ask for tax returns.
2. Can I bring tax transcripts instead of returns even though it was the returns I submitted? That would be a lot of paper!
3. If they need a tax return and not a transcript, can it just be the latest return or do they require multiple years?
4. Do I bring additional evidence that I didn't submit when filing my N400 (2020/2021 statements)?
5. Do they need copies of the pictures?

Thanks!

[Wuozopo 4,293]

3 hours ago, -Shana- said:

I have my interview next month and the letter says to bring the originals of any supporting documents that I attached with the N400 application. I attached: 

You have not listed

• your permanent resident card
• passports—valid and expired
• your spouses birth certificate (if born in the US), or other proof that he has been a US citizen for 3 years prior to your filing.
• your marriage certificate 
• Also if applicable, proof of termination of prior marriages of yours or spouse—divorce decrees or death certificates. Military records.

Other questions

Transcripts are good. All three years.

 

Every IO is different. I went in with a folder with marriage certificate, divorce decree, spouse birth certificate, etc. I offered the original documents when I first walked in. She said, “I don’t need to see any of that. Have a seat and we will start with the test.”

[-Shana- 152]

17 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

You have not listed

• your permanent resident card
• passports—valid and expired
• your spouses birth certificate (if born in the US), or other proof that he has been a US citizen for 3 years prior to your filing.
• your marriage certificate 
• Also if applicable, proof of termination of prior marriages of yours or spouse—divorce decrees or death certificates. Military records.

Other questions

Transcripts are good. All three years.

 

Every IO is different. I went in with a folder with marriage certificate, divorce decree, spouse birth certificate, etc. I offered the original documents when I first walked in. She said, “I don’t need to see any of that. Have a seat and we will start with the test.”

Hehe, I didn't list them because that was all very straightforward and didn't need clarification on it! 😆

Thanks for your response! I'll go with transcripts. I had a hard IO for my green card interview, hoping I get a relaxed one for citizenship!

[ThaOne 101]

On 2/4/2021 at 2:50 PM, -Shana- said:

I have my interview next month and the letter says to bring the originals of any supporting documents that I attached with the N400 application. I attached: 

• Current account bank statements x 4 (one each year from 2017 - 2019)
• Credit card statements x 2 (one from 2019 and 2020)
• Car insurance proof
• Lease contract 2016 - 2019
• Tax return 2017, 2018 and 2019
• Pictures

I have a couple of questions about this:

1. Do they really need ALL originals or do IO's tend to focus on one type of evidence over the other? From the progress report threads I've noticed that IO's usually ask for tax returns.
2. Can I bring tax transcripts instead of returns even though it was the returns I submitted? That would be a lot of paper!
3. If they need a tax return and not a transcript, can it just be the latest return or do they require multiple years?
4. Do I bring additional evidence that I didn't submit when filing my N400 (2020/2021 statements)?
5. Do they need copies of the pictures?

Thanks!

Tax transcripts are actually what they require (from IRS.gov). Some attach the actual tax returns, but the official checklists state to attach/bring tax transcripts. So if you have those, definitely bring them with you and that will pass with any officer. That's what you should have attached initially. Now depending on the officer from what I have read here many times some have just accepted the tax returns. But in a few cases they got a "no decision" at the interview because the officer was strict and asked for the transcripts so they received an RFE.

And finally, as this is USCIS and a lot has to do with what officer you get, mine didn't ask for anything. I filed under the 5 year rule and brought the tax info only at the interview but he just asked if I paid taxes every year. I said yes and he moved on without asking to see anything.

My recommendation to you though is on top of bringing the transcripts if you have them (which would avoid getting a no decision and RFE), to bring whatever you had attached during the application just to be on the safe side because that's what the interview letter says:" bring all documents that were attached at the time of application". If you get a strict officer who says the letter says to bring exactly what you uploaded initially, then you will get an RFE and that may delay your case a long time after that. It may be a lot of paper, but you are almost at the end of the line, so why take any risks of delay?

[Ninahi 53]

My only advice is to always prepare for the worst! It may be annoying to gather all the originals or create copies of what you already submitted, but it is better to have it than having to explain why you don't if the IO happens to ask for it. 

 

Additional evidence is good to bring, especially those updated tax documents, to show "good moral character" as a dutiful taxpayer. My IO also asked if I had new utility bills or new pictures or any other new documents I wanted to submit. 

 

You're almost at the finish line, don't reduce speed now.

[-Shana- 152]

On 2/5/2021 at 3:30 PM, ThaOne said:

Tax transcripts are actually what they require (from IRS.gov). Some attach the actual tax returns, but the official checklists state to attach/bring tax transcripts. So if you have those, definitely bring them with you and that will pass with any officer. That's what you should have attached initially. Now depending on the officer from what I have read here many times some have just accepted the tax returns. But in a few cases they got a "no decision" at the interview because the officer was strict and asked for the transcripts so they received an RFE.

And finally, as this is USCIS and a lot has to do with what officer you get, mine didn't ask for anything. I filed under the 5 year rule and brought the tax info only at the interview but he just asked if I paid taxes every year. I said yes and he moved on without asking to see anything.

My recommendation to you though is on top of bringing the transcripts if you have them (which would avoid getting a no decision and RFE), to bring whatever you had attached during the application just to be on the safe side because that's what the interview letter says:" bring all documents that were attached at the time of application". If you get a strict officer who says the letter says to bring exactly what you uploaded initially, then you will get an RFE and that may delay your case a long time after that. It may be a lot of paper, but you are almost at the end of the line, so why take any risks of delay?

 

On 2/5/2021 at 11:28 PM, Ninahi said:

My only advice is to always prepare for the worst! It may be annoying to gather all the originals or create copies of what you already submitted, but it is better to have it than having to explain why you don't if the IO happens to ask for it. 

 

Additional evidence is good to bring, especially those updated tax documents, to show "good moral character" as a dutiful taxpayer. My IO also asked if I had new utility bills or new pictures or any other new documents I wanted to submit. 

 

You're almost at the finish line, don't reduce speed now.

Thank you both! All very good points, guess I have some printing to do 😆

[ThaOne 101]

3 hours ago, -Shana- said:

 

Thank you both! All very good points, guess I have some printing to do 😆

OOPS! I missed the part about the pictures. NO do not make copies of them. Depending on how many you uploaded, if not a whole album, bring what you uploaded or just a few. As for additional evidence: bring whatever you think is pertinent and if there are some updated info. But as any lawyer would tell you, do not volunteer additional info. Only give what is asked. Like I stated at my interview I had my tax information, but when we went through the n400 he asked :"so you have been paying taxes every year right?" I said "Yes", and he didn't ask to see my documents although I had them and he moved on. The same way I had lots of other documents and some updated documents but aside from my old passport, my GC which he explicitly asked to see, I did not volunteer anything else. Only hand what he asks for.

Now if he is looking at a bank statement for 2019 and there is something he doesn't like about that document, or a name written differently, then if you have an updated 2020 which you think clears that up, then you mention it and hand it to him. If not asked, "don't tell". The big mistake would be to walk in there and start handing everything you brought with you, because then you are raising the chances that a decision cannot be made on the spot, because he and maybe his supervisor are technically required to go through any additional evidence. They may not have the time to do it the day of your interview and end up sending you home without the "we are recommending your case for approval: Congratulations..." which trust me is the most liberating piece of paper after a 1 year long process.

Bring everything, give only what is asked. Avoid RFEs that, especially with covid, can push a decision months back.

Hope that helps.

[Nitas_man 3,100]

We’re waiting until after Feb 12 but your list looks good

[-Shana- 152]

7 hours ago, ThaOne said:

OOPS! I missed the part about the pictures. NO do not make copies of them. Depending on how many you uploaded, if not a whole album, bring what you uploaded or just a few. As for additional evidence: bring whatever you think is pertinent and if there are some updated info. But as any lawyer would tell you, do not volunteer additional info. Only give what is asked. Like I stated at my interview I had my tax information, but when we went through the n400 he asked :"so you have been paying taxes every year right?" I said "Yes", and he didn't ask to see my documents although I had them and he moved on. The same way I had lots of other documents and some updated documents but aside from my old passport, my GC which he explicitly asked to see, I did not volunteer anything else. Only hand what he asks for.

Now if he is looking at a bank statement for 2019 and there is something he doesn't like about that document, or a name written differently, then if you have an updated 2020 which you think clears that up, then you mention it and hand it to him. If not asked, "don't tell". The big mistake would be to walk in there and start handing everything you brought with you, because then you are raising the chances that a decision cannot be made on the spot, because he and maybe his supervisor are technically required to go through any additional evidence. They may not have the time to do it the day of your interview and end up sending you home without the "we are recommending your case for approval: Congratulations..." which trust me is the most liberating piece of paper after a 1 year long process.

Bring everything, give only what is asked. Avoid RFEs that, especially with covid, can push a decision months back.

Hope that helps.

Great point about only giving what's asked, thank you so much for your response! Can't wait for this immigration process to be over 🤣