moving state before filing N400

[steeeeve 28]

i'm interested in moving from NY to CA. My wife can file N400 in September 2026. i know we have to live in the area we plan to file in for at least 3 months prior to filing, meaning we'd need to buy the new property and move in before July, which is fine.

 

My worry is that now it seems we need affidavits from the neighbours to say my wife is a good person, we can get those in our current house in NY because we are friendly with the neighbours, but the place we are interesting in in CA is in the rural north and I'll likely never see the neighbours. If we file in CA (well be close to Lassen park, so i guess our nearest USCIS is Sacramento) , do you think they will accept letters from neighbours in NY that are already 6 months or so old?

 

Do you foresee any other problems moving a few months before we file? 

 

Edited 13 hours ago by steeeeve

[Dashinka 26,335]

I am interested to understand where you are hearing affidavits of good moral character are now required for the N400?  In general, I believe USCIS uses things like proper tax filings, lack of criminal activity, or not claiming to be a USC at anytime before becoming one to judge that aspect of an N400 petition.  That being said if you wish to add these affidavits, I don’t think it matters where those people live, but rather the amount of time they have known your wife that would matter.

 

Good Luck!

[steeeeve 28]

7 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

I am interested to understand where you are hearing affidavits of good moral character are now required for the N400?  

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual/PM-602-0189_INA335.pdf

 

USCIS may request information from the alien seeking naturalization to inform its decision on conducting the neighborhood investigation such as testimonial letters from neighbors, employers, co-workers, and business associates who know the alien and can provide substantiated information about the alien, including any of the requirements for naturalization. If such evidence is not contained in the alien’s application for naturalization, USCIS may request that the alien submit such evidence. Submitting such evidence proactively with the Application for Naturalization can assist USCIS in determining whether a waiver of a neighborhood investigation is appropriate in a particular case without a need to issue a Request for Evidence.

[Dashinka 26,335]

34 minutes ago, steeeeve said:

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual/PM-602-0189_INA335.pdf

 

USCIS may request information from the alien seeking naturalization to inform its decision on conducting the neighborhood investigation such as testimonial letters from neighbors, employers, co-workers, and business associates who know the alien and can provide substantiated information about the alien, including any of the requirements for naturalization. If such evidence is not contained in the alien’s application for naturalization, USCIS may request that the alien submit such evidence. Submitting such evidence proactively with the Application for Naturalization can assist USCIS in determining whether a waiver of a neighborhood investigation is appropriate in a particular case without a need to issue a Request for Evidence.

Thanks for providing this.  So yes, affidavits of people that know her can be helpful, but as I said earlier, probably those that have known her the longest will carry more weight regardless of their place of residence.  Also, you can add more as you establish more friendships in your new location.

 

Good Luck!

[P055UM 356]

My two cents is that you should live your life the way you want and cross any immigration bridges as and when they arise. It doesn’t seem right that choosing to live rurally would work against you.

 

And, as @Dashinka says, it’s likely affidavits from people that have known her longer will carry more weight anyway.

 

Good luck!