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Documents Needed For Citizenship Interview

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How To Prepare For The Us Citizenship Application

What to bring to USCIS citizenship interview? | N-400 application

If youre thinking about completing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, theres a lot you must consider. First, you should make sure you are eligible to apply for citizenship. Once you determine your eligibility, you can start organizing the documents youll need to complete the application.

Filing out the U.S. citizenship application is complicated. The instructions alone are 18 pages long. FileRight can make sure youre fully prepared and assist you with your application for U.S. citizenship.

What Documents Do I Need To Prove My Identity

Social Security will ask to see your current U.S. immigration documents. Acceptable documents include:

  • I-551 Permanent Resident Card
  • I-94 Arrival/Departure Record with unexpired foreign passport, or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport or
  • I-766 Employment Authorization Document, from DHS.

Important

You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current . We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity.

Who Has To Take The Test And Go To The Interview

Whether you have to take the test or go to the interview depends on your age and application.

Your age and situation
Adult 18 to 54 years of age Yes
Minor under 18 with a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time No No, except in some casesTable footnote *
Minor 14 to 17 without a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time No
Minor under 14 without a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time No No, except in some casesTable footnote *

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Original Card For A Us Born Child

Important

Social Security must verify a birth record for all U.S.-born applicants who apply for an original SSN. An exception is made for a parent who applies for a baby’s SSN at the hospital when the baby is born. To verify a birth record, we will contact the office that issued it.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

Get a certified copy of a document showing a birth, marriage or divorce that took place in the United States.

Adoption

In some cases, we can assign your adopted child a number before the adoption is complete, but you may want to wait. Then, you can apply for the number using your child’s new name. If you want to claim your child for tax purposes while the adoption is still pending, contact the Internal Revenue Service for Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions. For more information, see Social Security Numbers For Children .

What Happens If You Dont Pass Your First Test

Naturalization interview document checklist

If you dont pass your first written test, but meet the other requirements for citizenship, we will schedule you for a second test. The second test usually takes place 4 to 8 weeks after the first test, but it may be longer.

If you dont pass your second test, well send you a notice telling you to attend a hearing with a citizenship official. The hearing:

  • will last 30 to 90 minutes
  • may be in person or by videoconference
  • may be used to assess one or more requirements for citizenship, for example:
  • knowledge of Canada

If you dont pass the test after 3 tries, well refuse your application. You can re-apply to try again.

When you apply with your family, we process all applications together. If you have to re-write the test or go to a hearing, your family may be invited to a ceremony before you. If you want us to continue processing all the applications together, ask us to pause your familys applications. Well wait until you meet all the requirements so the whole family is invited to the same citizenship ceremony and can become citizens at the same time.

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Proof That You Have Fulfilled Your Financial Support Obligations

Applicants listing their children or dependents on Form N-400 must bring the following for each dependent child who does not live with you and for other dependents ):

  • Copies of court or government orders for you to provide financial support.
  • Canceled checks or money order receipts.
  • Copies of court or government documents showing child support and/or alimony payments.
  • Records of wage garnishments.
  • Notarized letter from the parent or guardian who cares for your child.

Us Citizenship For People Born Abroad Or In Us Territories

You are a U.S. citizen if:

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Applicants Who Have Arrest Or Criminal History

If you have ever been arrested, detained or convicted anywhere in the world, by any law enforcement officer, for any reason, no matter a charge was filed against you or not, no matter the case was vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged, or otherwise removed from your record or not, you must bring official document related to it. A certified copy is normally USCIS wants.

Anyone who has such circumstance will be strictly screened by USCIS. Accordingly, it is highly recommended to consult an immigration attorney with extensive experience before attending an N-400 citizenship interview.

Documents To Bring To Your N

N400 DOCUMENTS for U.S. CITIZENSHIP Interview – Tax Transcripts

Many people get nervous when it is finally time to attend their U.S. citizenship interview, and from anxiety can spring forgetfulness. To avoid leaving a piece of essential evidence at home when you go to your N-400 interview, it can be helpful to store your documents in one safe place.

4. Other Evidence Sometimes Needed for an N-400 Interview

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What Are The Most Common Questions For The Citizenship Test

Common Citizenship Test Questions & Answers Who is currently the President of the U.S.? What are the two primary political parties in the U.S.? When do people vote for the President? How often is a new president voted for? What age do people have to be before they are allowed to vote in the U.S.? .

Bring All The Documents With You

You must come to the interview with all the US citizenship application documents. It is also imperative you bring with you the permanent resident card, passport, state ID card and reentry permits. The immigration officials will specify the documents to bring in your appointment letter. Make sure you read it to avoid problems.

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How To Study For Your Citizenship Interview

While the process of becoming a citizen of the United States culminates with the interview during which you will have to answer a set of questions, you will also have to take the civics and English test that is, unless you qualify for a waiver. That being said, here is what you will have to study for:

  • Speaking Test: The USCIS officer will determine your speaking skills during the interview by using the Application for Naturalization also known as Form N-400.
  • Reading Test: You will have to read aloud a sentence out of three in order to demonstrate your speaking ability. You might want to check the USCIS reading test vocabulary list for that.
  • Writing Test: You will also be given one out of three questions to prove that you are able to correctly write in English. You may also use the USCIS writing test vocabulary list for that.
  • Civics Test: The civics test has 100 questions from which you will have to study, all of them have already been provided by USCIS . You only have to find the answer to the questions that have already been given to you.

Most of the research has already been given to you by USCIS. Now, all you have to do is perform some research on the Internet or go old fashioned by paying a visit to the library.

How Much Does It Cost To Apply For Us Citizenship

Naturalization interview results

The cost of completing the citizenship application is $640 plus an $85 biometric fee. If you decide to use FileRights application preparation service, it costs $285.

The USCIS fees can change with very little notice. However, they typically do not decrease. Be sure to check the associated fees before submitting your application.

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Updates To Materials In The Application

Has anything important in your life changed since filing the adjustment of status paperwork?

If, for example, you or your spouse have a new or different job, you should bring a letter from the new employer and copies of recent pay stubs. And even if your income has not changed, prove that fact with a recent pay stub showing that the financial sponsor is still bringing in the income.

If you and your spouse have reached the two-year anniversary of your marriage since filing the application, be ready to remind the officer of this, so you’ll be approved for permanent, not conditional residency.

If a tax year has passed, bring a copy of your latest tax returns .

If the two of you are pregnant or have a new baby, bring medical records or a birth certificate to prove this it’s great evidence of a bona fide marriage.

You’ll be expected to reveal bad news, too, such as if the immigrant has been arrested for or convicted of a crime. Hire an attorney if something like this has occurred.

Applicants Who Apply For Citizenship Through Marriage To A Us Citizen

If you filed your N-400 naturalization application based on a 3-year marriage to a U.S. citizen, you should bring evidence to prove that you have been married for at least 3 years, your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years and you have been lived together for at least 3 years. Such documentation may include joint tax returns, joint lease agreements, joint bank statements, joint mortgage, jointly owned property, family-plan health insurance, vehicle insurance, etc. You will need to bring your marriage certificate, as well as termination documents of prior marriages of either of you if any.

Moreover, if you are married to an U.S. citizen that is living and working abroad, you will need to show evidence of your spouses employment in a foreign country.

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Replacement Card For A Us Born Adult

You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you may not need to get a replacement card. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.

Important

You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current . We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

You may be able to request your replacement Social Security card online. Our online service is a fast and secure way to get a replacement. If you are age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and have amySocial Security account, you can apply for a replacement card online. For more information about creating my Social Security account and getting a replacement card online, visit our Social Security Number and Card website.

If You Applied As Spouse Of Us Citizen Stationed Abroad: Proof Of Qualifying For Exception

2022 US Citizenship Interview Practice | N-400 US Naturalization Interview Zoom 2

If you applied for citizenship without meeting the usual residency requirements because you are with your spouse who is working overseas, you must bring evidence that your spouses employment qualifies you to take advantage of the rule.

Most likely, you will need the employer to help you with this documentation. USCIS wants to see documents showing the employers name and nature of its business, the nature of the work your spouse is performing for that employer, who owns or controls the employer , and how the employer is engaged in the development of foreign trade and U.S. commerce.

In addition, USCIS will need to see your spouses travel orders showing your name on those orders as a spouse, and documentation showing that your spouses employment will continue for at least one year from the date you filed your Form N-400 application for citizenship.

Finally, you must bring a written statement of your intent to keep living with your spouse as long as he or she is employed abroad, and then to immediately move back to the United States.

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Dual Citizenship Or Nationality

Dual citizenship means a person may be a citizen of the United States and another country at the same time. U.S. law does not require a person to choose one citizenship or another.

If you’re a citizen of another country, contact that country’s embassy or consulate for information about its:

  • Laws and policies, including those about dual nationality

  • Mandatory military service

If you have dual citizenship and plan to travel to or from the United States, you must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States.

A licensed attorney skilled in citizenship matters can assist you with questions about your situation. A local bar association can often provide a good referral.

You may also want to learn about giving up or losing your U.S. citizenship.

What To Bring To The Citizenship Interview

  • Letter of summons to the interview.
  • Identification document: This can be your driver’s license or state identification card.
  • Passports: You must carry all your passports since you became a permanent resident.
  • If you are applying for citizenship for being married to a U.S. citizen or resident, you must bring proof that your spouse is a citizen or resident. You must show a marriage certificate and evidence that your marriage is legitimate. Examples are tax returns, bank accounts, and birth certificates for joint children.
  • Arrests: If you have been arrested, you should bring arrest reports, court sentences, probation reports, and all legal documents related to your case.
  • Taxes: If you have a payment agreement with the I.R.S. or haven’t filed a tax return because you are not a resident, bring all the documents that explain these situations.
  • Selective service: If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 31, bring proof that you registered with the Selective Service System between 18 and 26.
  • Loyalty oath: If you cannot take the oath of allegiance for religious reasons, bring a letter from your church that explains why your religious beliefs prevent you from taking the oath.
  • Minor children: If you have minor children who do not live with you, bring proof that you pay alimony to them.

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Documents To Prepare For Your Citizenship Application

When you file your immigration application, think of it as arguing a case in court. You must prove to the government that you deserve the immigration benefit you are requesting. In a courtroom, you prove a case with supporting evidence.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services states there are three documents you need to support your Form N-400:

  • A photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card . If you have lost the card, submit a photocopy of the receipt of your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
  • A check or money order for the application fee and biometrics fee. You should write your A-number on the back of the check or money order.
  • If you reside outside the United States, submit two identical color photographs, with your name and Alien Registration Number written lightly in pencil on the back of each photo.
  • The USCIS will usually accept photocopies of original documents unless they specifically ask for you to send the original document.

    After The Test: Result Interview And Next Steps

    Nail Art

    After the test, youll meet with a citizenship official for an interview. During the interview, the citizenship official will:

    • give you the results of your test, if you had one
    • check your language skills, if youre between 18 and 54 years of age
    • verify your application and original documents
    • ask any questions we may have about your application
    • make sure you meet all the requirements for citizenship

    If you pass and meet the other requirements for citizenship, we may:

    • give you a ceremony date at the same time we give you the test results or
    • email or send you a letter with the date and time of your ceremony

    Check your junk folder for our emails

    • If you gave us your email address in your application, well contact you by email.
    • To avoid missing our emails, check your junk or spam folder.
    • Look for messages from email addresses ending in @cic.gc.ca.

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