N-400 interview Check List?!

[Michael_88 6]

Hey Visa Journey!

 

I will be having my N-400 interview soon. My question is, my wife was born in the U.S. but doesn't have a copy of her birth certificate. If we can't get a copy of it before my interview could we use a copy of the bio graphic page of her passport to show proof of her being a U.S. citizen by birth? Much Thanks!

 

 

 

[Mike E 11,725]

17 minutes ago, Michael_88 said:

Hey Visa Journey!

 

I will be having my N-400 interview soon. My question is, my wife was born in the U.S. but doesn't have a copy of her birth certificate. If we can't get a copy of it before my interview could we use a copy of the bio graphic page of her passport to show proof of her being a U.S. citizen by birth? Much Thanks!

You can try. Worst case you will get an RFE for the birth certificate. You should bring both a copy of her passport and the original passport to the interview. It is possible you won't be asked for it.

[Scandi 3,976]

Bring her actual passport. The initial filing is for copies, the interview is for originals and/or certified copies. You can bring regular photo copies too, but definitely the original. When my IO wanted copies of something I had brought she declined my photocopies, she instead scanned the original into their system instead of making paper copies, she said they're trying to reduce the amount of paper files (hence the many forms that are now available for online filing). 

It doesn't seem common for them to ask for the US citizen's BC at the N-400 interview, many of us have already been through greencard processes together with our US spouses so USCIS already have copies or the BC since before. Personally I brought my USC husband's BC and passport, but I wasn't asked for anything regarding him at all. But bring what you have just in case, even if it's "just" the passport. It would also be in your spouse's interest to order a certified copy of her BC either way. 

[valentinasc 330]

1 hour ago, Scandi said:

Bring her actual passport. The initial filing is for copies, the interview is for originals and/or certified copies. You can bring regular photo copies too, but definitely the original. When my IO wanted copies of something I had brought she declined my photocopies, she instead scanned the original into their system instead of making paper copies, she said they're trying to reduce the amount of paper files (hence the many forms that are now available for online filing). 

It doesn't seem common for them to ask for the US citizen's BC at the N-400 interview, many of us have already been through greencard processes together with our US spouses so USCIS already have copies or the BC since before. Personally I brought my USC husband's BC and passport, but I wasn't asked for anything regarding him at all. But bring what you have just in case, even if it's "just" the passport. It would also be in your spouse's interest to order a certified copy of her BC either way. 

Since my I-130 they kept my Original marriage certificate with Apostille 😕 I never had a chance to get it back! 

[Scandi 3,976]

3 hours ago, valentinasc said:

Since my I-130 they kept my Original marriage certificate with Apostille 😕 I never had a chance to get it back! 

Yeah this is why they tell you to never send originals, only photocopies.

[valentinasc 330]

1 hour ago, Scandi said:

Yeah this is why they tell you to never send originals, only photocopies.

They asked me it at my interview and the CO said they were going to keep it 

[jaya_razz 20]

How soon is your interview? Im asking coz I was in a similar situation before my interview. I couldn’t find the original of my marriage certificate but I was able to order a copy online and I got in two days. 

[valentinasc 330]

4 hours ago, jaya_razz said:

How soon is your interview? Im asking coz I was in a similar situation before my interview. I couldn’t find the original of my marriage certificate but I was able to order a copy online and I got in two days. 

When I got married I requested two originals but I got the apostille on only one, and that’s the one USCIS kept 😛 & I don’t have an interview yet, I first have to send my rfie response for my i751 & couple weeks after I’ll apply for expedited citizenship 

[Beefheart 31]

On 4/15/2021 at 5:24 PM, Michael_88 said:

Hey Visa Journey!

 

I will be having my N-400 interview soon. My question is, my wife was born in the U.S. but doesn't have a copy of her birth certificate. If we can't get a copy of it before my interview could we use a copy of the bio graphic page of her passport to show proof of her being a U.S. citizen by birth? Much Thanks!

 

 

 

How did you get on with this?

I have my interview next week and we cannot find my wife's Birth Certificate...

At this juncture, I have little option other than to take her passport and hope for the best.

[Michael_88 6]

36 minutes ago, Beefheart said:

How did you get on with this?

I have my interview next week and we cannot find my wife's Birth Certificate...

At this juncture, I have little option other than to take her passport and hope for the best.

That is exactly what I did! The joke in all of that worry was the officer didn't even request to see her birth certificate or the passport I'd brought. I would advise you still bring it though opposed to walking in empty handed.

[Beefheart 31]

On 5/17/2021 at 9:35 PM, Michael_88 said:

That is exactly what I did! The joke in all of that worry was the officer didn't even request to see her birth certificate or the passport I'd brought. I would advise you still bring it though opposed to walking in empty handed.

Thanks for your reply! I'm actually only seeing it for the first time right now, the morning after my interview. 

 

We actually found her birth certificate after turning the house upside down but, just like you, my interviewing officer didn't even ask to see her passport or birth certificate. Bit of a fuss over nothing in the end, but always better to be prepared!

[Michael_88 6]

3 hours ago, Beefheart said:

Thanks for your reply! I'm actually only seeing it for the first time right now, the morning after my interview. 

 

We actually found her birth certificate after turning the house upside down but, just like you, my interviewing officer didn't even ask to see her passport or birth certificate. Bit of a fuss over nothing in the end, but always better to be prepared!

No problem and congratulations! I'm thinking they request you bring your spouse's birth certificate/ID just for the sake of formality. Exactly! it's always best to be over prepared when dealing with USCIS, we all know things can quickly go left if we don't have what they request lol.

[HNZ91 70]

3 hours ago, Beefheart said:

Thanks for your reply! I'm actually only seeing it for the first time right now, the morning after my interview. 

 

We actually found her birth certificate after turning the house upside down but, just like you, my interviewing officer didn't even ask to see her passport or birth certificate. Bit of a fuss over nothing in the end, but always better to be prepared!

Congrats 

[Michael_88 6]

19 minutes ago, HNZ91 said:

Congrats 

Much thanks!

[ameise 25]

I'm sure you got this sorted. We were worried about the same situation, and we did end up finding the birth certificate. However, the officer didn't ask for the birth certificate or passport at the interview. It's good to be prepared just in case, but it's likely it's not needed.