Documents to Include with Your N-400
Applying for citizenship in the U.S. is an exciting step in anyone’s immigration journey. However, like all things having to do with immigration, it can also be quite stressful and confusing. Some common questions include:
↠ What form(s) do I use?
↠ How do I answer the questions?
↠ What if I fill part of it out wrong?
↠ What documents do I include?
↠ What can I expect at the interview?
↠What happens if I don’t pass the civics and history test?
This article will focus on the “What documents do I include?” question. Specifically, this article will address what documents to include when you are applying for naturalization because you have been a lawful permanent resident who is married to and residing with a U.S. citizen spouse for at least three years. This article will assume the applicant has no arrests, citations or detention and has not been separated from the U.S. citizen spouse. Basically, it is assuming a completely “clean” and straightforward case.
Here are the documents we include with these applications:
↠ A copy of the front and back of the applicant’s green card;
↠ A copy of the applicant’s tax returns for the most recent three years. If an applicant
files as “married but filing separately,” we also include the spouse’s taxes;
↠ A copy of the applicant’s marriage certificate and, if applicable, proof that all prior
marriages for the applicant and the applicant’s spouse have been terminated;
↠ If applicable, we attach the birth certificates for the applicant’s children;
↠ Proof that the applicant has been residing with their U.S. citizen spouse for three
years. This can include joint leases or mortgages, joint insurance statements, joint bills
covering the three year period, etc.
↠ Evidence of the Applicant’s good moral character. In practice, if an applicant has no
arrests, citations, detention, etc., letters of recommendation are generally not
necessary. This changes if the applicant has negative information in their record.
If you have any questions about eligibility for naturalization, what documents to include, etc., you should consult with an attorney.
