Applying next month...

[Patriciaclaude]

Dear forum members,

1st I would like to congratulate you for the quality of the information that I already found on this forum. I have been browsing around to find a good one and... it was not easy to find one that contained actually valuable info. So much junk out there. Anyways, thanks again!

Here is my situation: My spouse and I have our GC since 12/4/2000 and we are planning to apply for N400 next month (5 years - 90 days + a little extra days just in case... ).

We have reviewed already a lot (from INS web site, 100 questions, forums, books, etc), but I still have a couple of questions that I could not find response for.
If I missed some threads in this forum that talk about it, please accept my apologizes.

Here are my questions:
1/ 5 years - 90 days
In the N400 form, 1st page, you have to mention your current situation. Do you say "I have been a lawful permanent resident in the US for at least 5 years" ? or do you check the "Others" box and say: “I have been.... for 4 years and 9 months"?

2/ Previous marriages
I have been married twice (nobody's perfect... ) to non US citizens, however my N400 application is not based on marriage to a USC. Should I still attach the divorce papers for the 1st marriage?

3/ Spouse and I N400 applications
Since my spouse and I got the green card on the same day, we are planning to apply for N400 at the same time. We will file 2 N400, pay 2 times the fees, etc. But: should we send all in one envelope or 2? Should we make 2 cover letters or one? Is this choice going to influence our ability to have the interview and/or the oath ceremony at the same time or not?

4/ Cover letters
I have seen in this forum that a cover letter is highly recommended (we dont plan to use a lawyer. Why should we, we don't even have a traffic ticket to declare. Not even a parking one ). Would you guys be nice to shoot me an example for a cover letter? Even you own one is fine (delete the A# and else). I could not find a good one on the web or else.

5/ Associations
In the last pages of the N400, we you go through all your associations membership. The only one I can think of is "AAA" (American Automobile Association) and my school alumni. Is that worth mentioning (which has the drawback to check a “yes” box where you just want to see a bunch of “no” boxes checked)?

6/ Wife work
My wife has been taking care of our 3 little kids for most of the time in the past 5 years. In the N400 page where you describe your employment, do we put "Homemaker" for her or nothing?

I am sure other questions will pop as I will actually bug you again.
Thanks in advance for all the help you can provide to a newbie like me.

Have a wonderful day.
Cheers

Claude

 

[Anahit]

See below:

1/ 5 years - 90 days
In the N400 form, 1st page, you have to mention your current situation. Do you say "I have been a lawful permanent resident in the US for at least 5 years" ? or do you check the "Others" box and say: “I have been.... for 4 years and 9 months"?

Check the 1st box - 5 years.

2/ Previous marriages
I have been married twice (nobody's perfect... ) to non US citizens, however my N400 application is not based on marriage to a USC. Should I still attach the divorce papers for the 1st marriage?

YES.

3/ Spouse and I N400 applications
Since my spouse and I got the green card on the same day, we are planning to apply for N400 at the same time. We will file 2 N400, pay 2 times the fees, etc. But: should we send all in one envelope or 2? Should we make 2 cover letters or one? Is this choice going to influence our ability to have the interview and/or the oath ceremony at the same time or not?

Send them in one envelope. I did not send a cover letter, but I am assuming it should be one for each.

4/ Cover letters
I have seen in this forum that a cover letter is highly recommended (we dont plan to use a lawyer. Why should we, we don't even have a traffic ticket to declare. Not even a parking one ). Would you guys be nice to shoot me an example for a cover letter? Even you own one is fine (delete the A# and else). I could not find a good one on the web or else.

-------

5/ Associations
In the last pages of the N400, we you go through all your associations membership. The only one I can think of is "AAA" (American Automobile Association) and my school alumni. Is that worth mentioning (which has the drawback to check a “yes” box where you just want to see a bunch of “no” boxes checked)?

You don't need to mention them.

6/ Wife work
My wife has been taking care of our 3 little kids for most of the time in the past 5 years. In the N400 page where you describe your employment, do we put "Homemaker" for her or nothing?

N/A

Good luck!

 

[g]

I dont think it matters if you send cover letter or not. It probably increases their workload to have to read the cover letter. I did not send any cover letter and I have my interview next month after just 4.5 months of applying.

-g

 

[Patriciaclaude]

Thanks a bunch guys, I will go with your advices.
CB

 

[JohnnyCash]

6/ Wife work
My wife has been taking care of our 3 little kids for most of the time in the past 5 years. In the N400 page where you describe your employment, do we put "Homemaker" for her or nothing?

The right and appropriate answer to this question is-Homemaker as she has been taking care of 3 kids of both of you being a housewife. Since each application is handled individually, and each applicant is interviewed separately even though parties are married and send their N-400 together, thereby if your wife would mention-N/A as to her employment/occupation then adjudication officer will be compelled to ask more questions from her, such as how she has been supporting herself if she has not worked or if she is not working. And officer might also demand for tax returns, and etc. Though I know that she can easily answer to all the questions that officer may ask her, but why would she like to open another can of worms when she can rest all the curiosity of officer by just saying that she is a Homemaker, which is true in itself?