File for citizenship with bare minimum docs or collect docs and file

[A110 80]

So right now I have just hit my 3 year mark and am planning to file for N400. We filed a pretty heavy I751 but being in potomac case is still just in accepted mode. Right now I am very busy with work and can't really spend that much time to pack our docs for the last year, since we probably will get a combo interview can i file N400 with just the bare minimum (wifes passport, ID's, Tax returns and such) and bring the other supporting docs to the interview? How much do these additional docs help?

We have joint bank accounts,lease,investment account, trips, photos and such but honestly I have so much work stuff going on I can't see myself collecting all of it and making a huge doc and such and also think payting a lawyer 2K or whatever is a waste of money.

[OldUser 5,199]

What's the rush?

Apply when you gather all the docs.

It's not worth sending bare minumum. It extends your processing time and affects others. Don't forget, you may receive an RFE way before the interview if some evidence is missing from submission.

[Dashinka 23,421]

My wife filed the N400 with just the minimum required evidence also with a fairly hefty I751 in process.  She was approved in a little more than 5 months for both.  You only need the required evidence to submit the N400 and get the clock moving.  If filing online, you can upload the "Interview Evidence" later, or if filing by mail, just collect the information for the interview.

 

Good Luck!

[A110 80]

32 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

My wife filed the N400 with just the minimum required evidence also with a fairly hefty I751 in process.  She was approved in a little more than 5 months for both.  You only need the required evidence to submit the N400 and get the clock moving.  If filing online, you can upload the "Interview Evidence" later, or if filing by mail, just collect the information for the interview.

 

Good Luck!

Yeah, the info like bank statements and leases are obviously available, I just don't have the mental bandwidth to gather them, just wanna send maybe a lease, ID's and taxes.

[Crazy Cat 39,858]

I'm not necessarily recommending it, but another option is to wait until the 5 year rule kicks in.  It is quite easy to apply.  Then, if you have a combo interview, you'll be ready to show evidence. 

Edited November 1, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[OldUser 5,199]

1 hour ago, A110 said:

Yeah, the info like bank statements and leases are obviously available, I just don't have the mental bandwidth to gather them, just wanna send maybe a lease, ID's and taxes.

IMHO you need mental bandwidth to deal with N-400 and immigration. If you're not ready, I would hold off. Just an opinion. For N-400 you need to learn civics questions, for example. That requires mental bandwidth.

[Crazy Cat 39,858]

2 minutes ago, OldUser said:

IMHO you need mental bandwidth to deal with N-400 and immigration. If you're not ready, I would hold off. Just an opinion. For N-400 you need to learn civics questions, for example. That requires mental bandwidth.

That's an excellent point. 

[A110 80]

50 minutes ago, OldUser said:

IMHO you need mental bandwidth to deal with N-400 and immigration. If you're not ready, I would hold off. Just an opinion. For N-400 you need to learn civics questions, for example. That requires mental bandwidth.

Not trying to be insensetive or anything but I don't think I'd have a problem with those questions as they can be studied passively and memorizing 100-120 questions like that is not something I fear, I can just spend like 15 minutes a day. Just not in the mood for collecting all the info, printing, organizing, etc. 

[Crazy Cat 39,858]

9 minutes ago, A110 said:

Not trying to be insensetive or anything but I don't think I'd have a problem with those questions as they can be studied passively and memorizing 100-120 questions like that is not something I fear, I can just spend like 15 minutes a day. Just not in the mood for collecting all the info, printing, organizing, etc. 

It's 100 questions.  All 100.  

Edited November 1, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Dashinka 23,421]

5 minutes ago, A110 said:

Not trying to be insensetive or anything but I don't think I'd have a problem with those questions as they can be studied passively and memorizing 100-120 questions like that is not something I fear, I can just spend like 15 minutes a day. Just not in the mood for collecting all the info, printing, organizing, etc. 

All you need is a copy of your GC and a copy of your current marriage certificate unless you are filing from overseas or a member of the military or the spouse of someone in the military to submit the form.  All the rest is interview material, and it seems with your I751 pending you already have that (I assume you retained a copy of that package).  Quite honestly, my wife and I found the N400 the least stressful of all our filings (I129F, I485, I751).

 

Good Luck!

 

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

[Jamdie 27]

I found it was better to just get all the docs sorted. It took up an evening, but it was worth it. From filing N400 to citizenship, I was done in 3 months. 
 

The interview itself was straight forward as the Officer already had everything to hand. I took copies of literally everything just in case, but didn’t even open my folder in the end. 
 

Obviously every case is different, but I have friends who applied before me with bare minimum, and they’re still waiting. 

[A110 80]

13 minutes ago, Jamdie said:

I found it was better to just get all the docs sorted. It took up an evening, but it was worth it. From filing N400 to citizenship, I was done in 3 months. 
 

The interview itself was straight forward as the Officer already had everything to hand. I took copies of literally everything just in case, but didn’t even open my folder in the end. 
 

Obviously every case is different, but I have friends who applied before me with bare minimum, and they’re still waiting. 

For I751 I understand that sending more quality stuff may make a difference, but for N400 given that they will interview you I don't know. I may bite the bullet and send random stuff like bank accounts and house lease but nowhere as complete as my I751.

40 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

It's 100 questions.  All 100.  

Yeah, I honestly don't think I would have a problem in that regard.

[OldUser 5,199]

It's your case after all, @A110

 

If you cannot do preparation of docs personally, can your US citizen spouse assist with that? Nobody can ever guarantee your case will go smooth with minimal evidence at time of submission. N-400 under 3 year rule requires you proving your marriage. I believe, strict interpretation depending on IO may require you submitting all evidence from start of marriage to current date even though you already did for I-751.

 

I don't see what you gain from submitting bare minimum, especially if you're going to bring more evidence to the interview. You'll have to go through this now or later. With or without RFE. There's a small chance you'll never be asked for more evidence. But is it worth weakening the case?

Edited November 2, 2023 by OldUser

[SalishSea 16,978]

3 hours ago, A110 said:

Not trying to be insensetive or anything but I don't think I'd have a problem with those questions as they can be studied passively and memorizing 100-120 questions like that is not something I fear, I can just spend like 15 minutes a day. Just not in the mood for collecting all the info, printing, organizing, etc. 

No one is ever "in the mood" to collect documents for USCIS.

 

But I agree with @OldUser:  wait until you have the mental bandwidth to do things properly.  It's worth it, after all this process is not cheap or easy.   I would either do the work, or wait and naturalize under the 5 year rule, like the Cat suggested.

[.yana 586]

I sent the absolute bare minimum. Didn't even include the most recent year of tax returns as they weren't available at the time when I filed.

No RFEs, interviewed in less than year (I-751 was delayed but that's another story).