3 Months State Residency Proof Examples

[Cali_yo 89]

I'm trying to re-apply for citizenship and I'm still running into an issue with the 3 months in the same state proof. Maybe someone has been in my situation and can help me. 

 

I have been living at the same address for over 10 years at this point, but I get my mail delivered to a PO box. It seems to me I need proof from my home address, is that correct?

 

In addition, I don't have anything in my name and it seems they want utility bills and lease agreements. Does anyone have any idea what I could send instead of those? 

 

Thank you so much, I really appreciate any reply and/or advice. 

[OldUser 9,474]

I assume you're applying under 5 year rule (general provision)? No specific proof is required. You need to have a valid state ID or DL for interview showing correct address. 

 

Why don't you have something in your name though? How do you live without utilities or lease or bank statements in your name and address?

Edited June 5 by OldUser

[Cali_yo 89]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

I assume you're applying under 5 year rule (general provision)? No specific proof is required. You need to have a valid state ID or DL for interview showing correct address

Yes under the 5 year rule. Last time I applied they wanted utility bills and lease agreement to prove that I had resided at the address for the previous 3 months before I applied. I do have a valid state ID, so maybe that's enough. 

 

To be fair, I did apply 5 years ago and I haven't kept up with potential new rules, so maybe it's changed.

 

Thanks for the reply. 

[OldUser 9,474]

3 minutes ago, Cali_yo said:

Yes under the 5 year rule. Last time I applied they wanted utility bills and lease agreement to prove that I had resided at the address for the previous 3 months before I applied. I do have a valid state ID, so maybe that's enough. 

 

To be fair, I did apply 5 years ago and I haven't kept up with potential new rules, so maybe it's changed.

 

Thanks for the reply. 

Hmmm, if you were on radar for this, why aren't you taking more substantial steps to get evidence before applying?

If they had doubts in the past, there's almost no doubt you're going to be scrutinized in this area.

 

What happened to last application? Did you get denied?

Edited June 5 by OldUser

[Cali_yo 89]

2 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Hmmm, if you were on radar for this, why aren't you taking more substantial steps to get evidence before applying?

If they had doubts in the past, there's almost no doubt you're going to be scrutinized in this area.

 

What happened to last application? Did you get denied?

Yes that's a good point, which is why I asked here. I don't think I had a state ID at the time (I do now), and I definitely didn't have any utility bills. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the requirements. 

 

Yes I got denied, but I had applied based on marriage and now I don't have to, so I don't know if the scrutiny about bills will be as high as last time.

 

Somehow they seemed obsessed with bills 😂 I told them multiple times, I don't have any in my name. Except maybe a few old medical bills. But they would be too old to use now. 

[OldUser 9,474]

41 minutes ago, Cali_yo said:

Yes that's a good point, which is why I asked here. I don't think I had a state ID at the time (I do now), and I definitely didn't have any utility bills. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the requirements. 

 

Yes I got denied, but I had applied based on marriage and now I don't have to, so I don't know if the scrutiny about bills will be as high as last time.

 

Somehow they seemed obsessed with bills 😂 I told them multiple times, I don't have any in my name. Except maybe a few old medical bills. But they would be too old to use now. 

Utility bills are typically needed to prove valid marriage and cohabitation when filing for naturalization under 3 year rule.

 

What was the basis for denial? Surely it wasn't because of bills. If it was based on your inability to show bonafide marriage, it would be bad. It may haunt you in this N-400 too, even though you're applying under 5 year rule now.

 

Do you have a denied I-751 or pending I-751?

 

Are you still married to US citizen? If yes, do you live together?

Edited June 6 by OldUser

[Cali_yo 89]

14 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Utility bills are typically needed to prove valid marriage and cohabitation when filing for naturalization under 3 year rule.

 

What was the basis for denial? Surely it wasn't because of bills. If it was based on your inability to show bonafide marriage, it would be bad. It may haunt you in this N-400 too, even though you're applying under 5 year rule now.

 

Do you have a denied I-751 or pending I-751?

 

Are you still married to US citizen? If yes, do you live together?

This is what they wrote in the denial:

*Proof that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least the past three years
*Proof that you have resided in the State and city listed on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
*Proof that you have been married and living in marital union with your spouse for the three(3) years
prior to filing your N-400

 

The first one is bogus because I sent in my husband's passport and birth certificate and he was born here, I don't know how they missed it TWICE!!!  The second is my issue right now and the third shouldn't really be an issue anymore if not applying under marriage rule. 

 

I don't have anything pending, I got my green card in 2016 and it's still valid until 2029.

 

Yes we are still married and living together. 

[ODATT 119]

5 hours ago, Cali_yo said:

This is what they wrote in the denial:

*Proof that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least the past three years
*Proof that you have resided in the State and city listed on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
*Proof that you have been married and living in marital union with your spouse for the three(3) years
prior to filing your N-400

 

The first one is bogus because I sent in my husband's passport and birth certificate and he was born here, I don't know how they missed it TWICE!!!  The second is my issue right now and the third shouldn't really be an issue anymore if not applying under marriage rule. 

 

I don't have anything pending, I got my green card in 2016 and it's still valid until 2029.

 

Yes we are still married and living together. 

Do you not have your own cell phone bill? Maybe create your own cell phone account (separate it out) so now have more proof of the same address? 

[appleblossom 4,162]

Not having anything in your name is really odd and I think will definitely raise flags. Is your name not on the mortgage or lease? Do you not have any bank account you can access? Tax docs? Property or car insurance? 
 

If not then think outside the box and look at other stuff - life insurance? Vet bills for any pets? Your will? 

[Cali_yo 89]

10 hours ago, ODATT said:

Do you not have your own cell phone bill? Maybe create your own cell phone account (separate it out) so now have more proof of the same address? 

I don't since it's a business account, but thanks for the suggestion. 

[Cali_yo 89]

I know it's odd, so that's why I asked here. I didn't have any problems with any other steps. For ROC I just had an interview with my husband and was approved on the spot. The agent understood the situation and we explained everything. 

 

I have some of those you mentioned, but I don't know how it would provide a proof that I've lived at this address for the 3 months prior to applying. I would be applying under the 5 year rule this time. I'm specifically asking about that (3 months residency), not the bonafide marriage thing. 

 

Thanks for the reply. 

[discoverusa 315]

How did you get a state ID/DL without proof of address? 

 

It is very strange for an adult not to have at least some bills in their name. Can your name be added to utilities along with your husband?

[OldUser 9,474]

10 minutes ago, Cali_yo said:

I know it's odd, so that's why I asked here. I didn't have any problems with any other steps. For ROC I just had an interview with my husband and was approved on the spot. The agent understood the situation and we explained everything. 

 

I have some of those you mentioned, but I don't know how it would provide a proof that I've lived at this address for the 3 months prior to applying. I would be applying under the 5 year rule this time. I'm specifically asking about that (3 months residency), not the bonafide marriage thing. 

 

Thanks for the reply. 

Besides showing my DL at the interview, I didn't have to provide any proof of residing at my address for 3 months.

 

However, any issues you had with prior denial of N-400 may resurface again at your next interview. It's not like USCIS forget stuff they asked you before.

 

If ROC is approved, it's good.

Edited June 6 by OldUser

[OldUser 9,474]

Only speculating here, but one of the reasons for USCIS being persistent on you showing bills besides proving bonafide marriage may be your background check.

 

E.g. they ran background check on you, didn't find any documentation showing your address etc. For most applicants, they found addresses etc. For you, they didn't. So they were asking for proof.

[Cali_yo 89]

8 minutes ago, discoverusa said:

How did you get a state ID/DL without proof of address? 

 

It is very strange for an adult not to have at least some bills in their name. Can your name be added to utilities along with your husband?

I had proof of address when I got my ID, it was a long time ago, so I don't remember what it was. Maybe some old medical bill which would not be within the 3 months. 

 

Maybe we can put one utility under my name, thanks for the suggestions.