pablo474

Odd, I cannot find a way to reply to another member--I can only see a REPLY box at the bottom of the page so it looks like I'm replying to myself when posted. The M-477 does not come up when searching All Forms at https://www.uscis.gov/ and clicking at top Forms followed by All Forms on the left. I think I'll give up on the convoluted website and just stick with what is asked in the N-400 online application. The checklist at https://www.uscis.gov/n-400 contains only a few items vs. two full pages for the Nov 2016 version of the M-477 (which is also found on the same page under Forms and Document Downloads). I even found another version of the Nov 2016 Guide to Naturalization, M-476, which clearly states it is out-of-date but could be useful. Looks like they are shorthanded to the point they cannot update to current--at least someone had the diligence to make the out-of-date note.

Yes, the current N-400 expires 9/30/22 so that is the latest. I cannot find the M-477 searching forms at the USCIS website (but search also fails to show N-400). Google yields both of the below documents and both are dated 11/2016 (M-477 is contained within M-476). Maybe the links failed to be deleted so Google still finds them--dunno (common issue with sloppy "webmastering"). https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-477.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-476.pdf So, since the checklist seems not to be referenced in any current docs, perhaps it is defunct.

The following item in the M-477 Checklist, is not addressed anywhere in N-400 online form or instructions (nor is the checklist mentioned in either document): "If you have ever failed to file an income tax return since you became a Lawful Permanent Resident, send: All correspondence with the IRS..." I note that the latest M-477 is dated 11/2016 which makes me think something changed in their process and no one thought about updating the Checklist (or that it was updated and didn't get published). There is a question in Section 12 "Have you EVER not filed...tax" but that is a different question and there is no follow up for a "no" answer. "Not filing" and "failing to file" are different; "not filing" could be due to no requirement to file whereas "failing to file" always means there was a requirement to file.

Well, considering how many glitches there are with the online process, etc., it's always possible to miss something that could cause delays or other problems. I'm still hoping to understand how and when the M-477 checklist is used.

N400

I am unclear on the function of the M-477 checklist. We had downloaded it along with the N-400 form until we found that everything can be done online. However, the checklist is never referenced in the online application--nor in those instructions--and yet there are a few items on the checklist that were not addressed online. I am thinking the checklist may be meant to supplement the hard copy application method but that the INS folks simply failed to get it all synched.

I have heard in the past in this forum that filling out form N-400 (and presumably other USCIS forms) is best accomplished using Internet Explorer. However, that was a while ago and IE is slated to go away in June. I had problems with some answers getting switched around between sessions and was losing some attachments that I had to keep re-attaching. I think I was using Chrome and prefer to continue with Chrome. So, what is the latest on this--suggestions appreciated!