Filing the N-400 for my Wife

[SkruDe 311]

Hello all,

 

It's been quite a journey the past few years.  From the K1 Visa all the way up to the N-400.

 

I am beginning to put the guides, information, checklists, etc...  all together now to file the N-400 with (for) my wife.

 

I had a question. What has been the general thoughts (pro's / con's?) of mail filing and electronic filing? Has one been better than the other?

 

And is there anything I should know before beginning this N-400 process and putting together the application?

 

Thank you!!!!!!

[Dashinka 23,245]

In my wife's case she filed via mail because at that time e-filing was just starting out.  If we were to do it today, we would do it electronically due to the ease of filing as well as the payment method.  One thing that has come up from time-to-time with online filing is when someone files immediately after their 90 day window opens up.  It appears there may be computer clocks that tag things according to their local time and sometimes it shows up as filing a day too early, of course the easy fix is to wait a day or two before submitting the application online once the 90 day window opens up.  As to the difference to filing online vs mail as to processing times, I have not seen any real difference (there are some anecdotal reports of online being faster, but no real trend), the N400 processing times will vary widely across the nation since these are all governed by the local USCIS office workloads.  That all told, I would definitely file online if we were doing it today.

 

As to what to know before filing, make sure you have any time spent outside the US since becoming an LPR closely calculated, don't forget about any minor issues like traffic tickets if applicable.  There is very little required evidence required for the N400 even if filing under the 3 year rule, but there is a lot of documentation asked for at the interview stage, many people filing online add that interview evidence to the online application, but one should still plan to take copies of it to the interview.  Beyond that, the N400 is fairly simple overall.

 

Good Luck!

[SkruDe 311]

Thank you kindly for your response and insight. I've been spending the morning looking into this all and it does seem electronic filing is probably the way to go. Now, it's just time to do it.

[YecaCruz 374]

E-file!

no chance of snail-mail delays or lost packages

No waiting for the payment to get deducted

No risk of not-having-made-a-copy before sending the package and then needing it later

 

[Sukie 1,439]

We e-filed, and I walked a good friend through his e-filing as well.  WAY easier if you have access to electronic copies of your documents.  Was so much easier than the I-751 filing!!!

 

Good luck!

 

Sukie in NY

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

Efiling for all the reasons mentioned above plus it tells you exactly which docs you need for your particular case,  and and the system does the dates calc for continuous residence and physical presence (and warns you if there is a potential eligibility issue here). It’s also easy to add a document later to the case if for any reason you want to do that. Particularly now when people are reporting a month or more to get a receipt notice from physical submission it’s nice to have it instantly.

[Nitas_man 3,100]

E-file tips (from Saturday night)

 

Small files, they limit the size of PDF scans

if it wont upload, hit refresh, then check it

BIG WARNING:: Every time you close and return to the application it resets the qualification to “5-yr”.  You have to manually keep resetting to “3 years/USC spouse”.  I couldn’t figure out why.  It’s some kind of weird default

 

If you cant pay on the computer, log into the account through your phone and you can pay that way.  I have no idea what that was about.  “Error sending you to payment site” over and over through the PC browser.   Went right to the “pony up and pay” through the phone browser.
 

I know they want evidence but we submitted our previous lease, house deed, drivers licenses with matching addresses going back to 2014, 3 years of matching auto insurance, and bank statements in 3-month intervals going back >3 years.   On that screen you can also put kiddos birth certificates, etc
 

Edited March 15, 2021 by Nitas_man

[little immigrant 800]

I'll help my husband efile when it's time

 

Btw your profile still says AOS pending 

[JasonGG 267]

I was just searching for this exact topic as my wife will be eligible this summer.  Thanks for asking and best of luck to you! - Jason

[SkruDe 311]

14 hours ago, little immigrant said:

I'll help my husband efile when it's time

 

Btw your profile still says AOS pending 

Thank you, I thought the timeline updates would update profile. I didn't realize it was a separate thing. I updated it

[SkruDe 311]

So I started filling out the N-400 online... and well, can't figure out how to save.... I don't want to close and risk losing everything

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

9 minutes ago, SkruDe said:

So I started filling out the N-400 online... and well, can't figure out how to save.... I don't want to close and risk losing everything

Under the file online section of the website it says

 

Once you start your form, we will automatically save your information for 30 days, or from the last time you worked on the form.

[SkruDe 311]

Submitted last night

 

Today we got a notice that they will be able to reuse the Biometrics we last did, so no Biometrics appointment

[JasonGG 267]

1 hour ago, SkruDe said:

Submitted last night

 

Today we got a notice that they will be able to reuse the Biometrics we last did, so no Biometrics appointment

Wow!  Very fast!  Congratulations 

[Amy and Michael 21]

Great question and conversation - finally getting around to this process - married in 2010, Permanent Residence card expiring next year...Good info here!  Thanks again!