Is it ok not to disclose my previous marriage?

[Al Southner]

So if he did get rid of divorce papers, he has created a permanent bar to citizenship? Gee. That really sucks.

Little nugget we forget, his ex-wife got a greencard through his petitions. So, how does getting rid of his divorce papers abdicate him from disclosing this information? Triple is right, USCIS already know that he was married and what they don't know is that he's divorced, which they would like to be updated.

Just refrain from offering people advice that will come back to screw them...

 

[WBH]

Bad advice..you shouldn't decide whether to disclose something important based on the USCIS's ability to find out or not, but rather on the principle of full sworn disclosure.

This is only right in theory in practice it won't hold. My feeling is majority do not disclose traffic tickets and most if not all do not disclose traffic ticket they get before coming to the states. It is up to each individual to decide. If USCIS can publish statistics about all N400 question answer, you will find everyone is a saint before coming to teh USA and a small percent got corrupted by America

 

[Triple Citizen]

Please do not compare disclosure/non-disclosure of traffic citations with marriages/divorces. Not even in the same league.

My feeling is majority do not disclose traffic tickets and most if not all do not disclose traffic ticket they get before coming to the states.

 

[WBH]

Little nugget we forget, his ex-wife got a greencard through his petitions. So, how does getting rid of his divorce papers abdicate him from disclosing this information? Triple is right, USCIS already know that he was married and what they don't know is that he's divorced, which they would like to be updated.

Just refrain from offering people advice that will come back to screw them...

Did I ever say please do not reply to my post.

 

[Bobsmyth]

This is only right in theory in practice it won't hold. My feeling is majority do not disclose traffic tickets and most if not all do not disclose traffic ticket they get before coming to the states. It is up to each individual to decide. If USCIS can publish statistics about all N400 question answer, you will find everyone is a saint before coming to teh USA and a small percent got corrupted by America

Like I said, not disclosing something important based on USCIS ability to find out is not a good idea. Traffic tickets and past marriages are not the same thing.

 

[WBH]

Traffic tickets and past marriages are not the same thing.

Many disclose traffic tickets because they are not important. It is kind of hypocritical honesty. If traffic tickets are important you wouid see fewer people disclose outside USA traffic tickets.

I only say if someone lost divorce paper that was 10 years ago in some
small country and is unable to be re-issued such papers but no where USCIS know about it. most likely this person will not disclose it.

If anyone on this board is in such shoes, it is up to him to decide.

 

[sunks]

Little nugget we forget, his ex-wife got a greencard through his petitions. So, how does getting rid of his divorce papers abdicate him from disclosing this information? Triple is right, USCIS already know that he was married and what they don't know is that he's divorced, which they would like to be updated.

Just refrain from offering people advice that will come back to screw them...

Did I ever say please do not reply to my post.

Not sure I have seen some people are taking things too personal here. This is a public forum and every one wants to take help from others as well as provide help to others. I think these kinds of posts showing some kind of one-manship over others does not go well for the forum. All of you are VERY SENIOR MEMBERS and I think it is better if we try to avoid these kind of posts with personal references. This is my personal thinking and every one can decide what they think is right and good for them. Thanks

 

[Bobsmyth]

I only say if someone lost divorce paper that was 10 years ago in some
small country and is unable to be re-issued such papers but no where USCIS know about it. most likely this person will not disclose it.

USCIS would not deny a naturalization application based on not being able to produce a past marriage certificate or divorce decree despite an applicant's best attempts. The same goes for birth certificates. Sworn affidavits from authorities stating that no record can be found from are accepted in such instances.
However, they can deny and even revoke your citizenship later if you failed to disclose something important, regardless of if you think they can or can't find out about it.

 

[Auscal]

One more reason that I want to hide this marriage, besides that it really hurted me, is that I want to start a new life --- I never told this to my friends here about my previous marriage.

You don't want anyone to know about your previous marriage, so you are considering not diclosing on your N-400, yet, you have no problem posting your query on a forum where it will be read by hundreds?

You need to disclose this marriage on your USCIS application, then it will only be mentioned, probably briefly, by the IO at your interview. If you don't out it on your application, you will end up having to discuss this in detail at your interview, then, potentially, explain to family & friends why your citizenship was denied. Not a tough choice. However, while you don't really have a choice on the N-400, the choice not to tell anyone in your personal life about your previous marriage is your own.

 

[music_fan]

they need to know the facts, it doesn't matter how you feel about it. No divorce is really a happy experience.

 

[Jackolantern]

Wait a minute ... his wife got a green card through being married to him, but he thinks USCIS doesn't already know about the marriage even though USCIS was previously provided with the marriage certificate and a bunch of other forms related to the marriage?

The marriage has to be disclosed, and the divorce decree (or non-availability certificate) should be brought to the interview. Failing to do those things will result in delays or denial.

 

[Triple Citizen]

All of this under the pretense of "even mentioning it hurts me". If I do not buy it, USCIS certainly not either.

Wait a minute ... his wife got a green card through being married to him, but he thinks USCIS doesn't already know about the marriage even though USCIS was previously provided with the marriage certificate and a bunch of other forms related to the marriage?

 

[Al Southner]

All of this under the pretense of "even mentioning it hurts me". If I do not buy it, USCIS certainly not either.

Triple,

The OP wants to take a simple and straightforward case and complicate it by "being hurt" to mention the fact that he was married. I smell a raccoon the offering for him if he mistakely think that he can hide this fact. His wife has a greencard through him, so now all of a sudden he too hurt to even mention his divorce?

He should mention it and get this citizenship, and never tell his future wife that he was married, at least there won't be any dire consequences, at least for the 1st two weeks into his marriage and honeymoon. Whatever happens in the future if his second wife finds out he was married before is his business.

 

[VisaNutz]

Wow... how is this even a question?

 

[Al Southner]

Wow... how is this even a question?

Vizanutz,

You send me a PM? If so, I read it but my head is hurting, I just yelled at our CEO. So, I am a little bit mad at him, but he knows that he screwed up, so all will be well. I will re-read and hopefully re-send later in the evening.

 

[DreamUSA]

Add my 2 cents...For all practical purposes ..he should disclose it...it will take 2 seconds for USCIS to pull that info via their system....

This is like to telling US IRS that you did not have dependants when you had listed them before in your returns....

Regardless how ugly that relationship was or is with his former wife, not disclosing such a material fact may in fact create suspicion by USCIS there is something OP is trying to hide here....

 

[johntlc]

Wow... how is this even a question?

I share your opinion in this...i dont know how this should even be a question. It's like a man who went to have spahetti and stained his white shirt with the sauce but still plan to tell his co-worker or whoever will listen "I have not eaten a thing today"...yeah right, they will beleive you.

I know we all come here to get help and give some help to others but sometimes we just have to apply tough love - period! Dont just tell someone what they want to hear. It doesnt help, lets all be honest as we try to help people so that we dont lead someone into a ditch.

Cheers!

 

[kulaOleg]

I really appreciate the kind replies from you all, REALLY!

After carefully going through all your replies, I decided that I should/must disclose my previous marriage. As most of you said, it's so easy for IO to find out my previous marriage. My ex-wife got her GC by that I put on her name when I was filing I-485. Though she only came to U.S once after getting her GC and now stay in my home country.

In addition, asnwering a question here "why you don't want to write down your previous marriage at N-400 but posting that here' --- My concern is that in the interview the IO most likely will ask me why you get divorce, blahblah... and I dont' want to retell the whole unhappy story. Posting my previous marriage here is that I don't have to answer why I get divorce and listen to your suggestions here about hiding it.

 

[saf]

I really appreciate the kind replies from you all, REALLY!

After carefully going through all your replies, I decided that I should/must disclose my previous marriage. As most of you said, it's so easy for IO to find out my previous marriage. My ex-wife got her GC by that I put on her name when I was filing I-485. Though she only came to U.S once after getting her GC and now stay in my home country.

In addition, asnwering a question here "why you don't want to write down your previous marriage at N-400 but posting that here' --- My concern is that in the interview the IO most likely will ask me why you get divorce, blahblah... and I dont' want to retell the whole unhappy story. Posting my previous marriage here is that I don't have to answer why I get divorce and listen to your suggestions here about hiding it.

USCIS won't ask you why you got divorced. no details. USCIS just wanted to see your divorce decree as a part of formality so USCIS knows that you are a honest person and then approves your citizenship application.

 

[sanjoseaug20]

I read it in another thread last week, and am pointing you there

http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?t=304471

Not only does CIS know you got married, you also provided them an affidavit of support saying you will support your ex-wife come what may (sickness or divorce). You probably do not even remember what all have you signed on her behalf. However much it hurts, GO clean the house (in terms of paperwork).