Bad idea to bring too many documents to naturalization interview?

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Idwib

New Member
I have found answers to most of my questions about preparing for the naturalization interview in other threads on this forum, but there seems to be disagreement about whether it is best to bring only the things listed on Interview Appointment Notice, or to bring every document that the naturalization officer might possibly ask for. Can anyone clarify this? Assuming I have nothing to hide, is there a good reason NOT to bring federal and state tax transcripts, birth certificates, documents showing residency, etc.? Has bringing documents that weren't requested caused delays or problems for anybody?
 
What you bring and what you show aren't the same thing. Bring a lot, but be selective about what you show. If you show too much too soon, they might decide to put your case on hold to review the large pile of documents, or may find what they think is a discrepancy in one of the documents.

Bring as much as you can without having to carry a big briefcase or backpack (which may not be allowed into the building), but only show the things that are specifically requested, or the items you think you need to support your answer to a specific question.
 
I remember I brought every single document they chould ask for even the letter I got years ago from KCC showing that I won the greencard lottery but did not need to show any single one, good to be prepared but dont show or mention unless you were asked for.
 
I too am wondering what I need to bring to the interview. The letter says to bring identification. Do I really need to bring a pile of crap with me? And if so, what do I need to bring?
 
If your case is simple (no arrests, not too much travel, etc.), don't bring extra documents. If you suspect that something in your case might raise questions, bring documents to support your claim.
 
I would agree with Jackolantern. A friend of mine asked his immigration attorney and he said that same thing. Why do we want to complicate the case when there is no need to. Bring everything that should cover the obvious questions but don't show unless asked to.
 
cafeconleche said:
If your case is simple (no arrests, not too much travel, etc.), don't bring extra documents. If you suspect that something in your case might raise questions, bring documents to support your claim.
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Taking all the documents with you to the interview is not only when you have any arrest or too much travel, but all those documents could be asked to present even in a simple case as well. Do not forget that files/applications do loose documents within USCIS while transiting from one dept. to another. Besides, some officers do want to ask some documents again. So I don't think that people should take with them only those documents that are mentioned on interview letter because interview letters are sent by another dept. than the assigned officer on the case. Plus, interview letters are generic letters than a case-specific.

Keep it in mind that not taking all the relevant documents with you doesn't mean you will not given an opportunity to submit those documents if those are required by the adjudication officer, but it will certainly delay the case. For how long, then nobody can say it....could be a few weeks or even few months or even a year or two.....

Having a document to present upon ask could also help many ways. For example, there was a case wherein applicant had a criminal charges filed against him but he was never arrested. A few years later charges were dismissed but that person was never been arrested, fingerprinted or appeared in the court. He was charged in Las Vegas for writing a bad check (casino marker) and he lives in NJ. A few years later he paid the money and charges were dismissed but he did disclose this incident on his citizenship application.

During the interview officer demanded CERTIFIED copy of court-disposition which applicant did submit. Office took a review and stated that applicant was arrested but applicant was kept refusing by saying that he was never arrested nor the court disposition was saying anywhere about the arrest but officer was kept insisting to him that he was arrested. Officer didn't make the decision that day and called the applicant a few times in two months period to admit as if he was arrested but applicant stood by his truth that he was never arrested. After 3 months later his case got approved.

I believe that applicant had the opportunity to say his side of the story on the interpretation officer made on his criminal case after producing that document in person which he might not have if he would have just mailed to the officer later on because then officer might just have denied his case based on how that document was interpreted. Then applicant would have spent time, money, energy and efforts to filing all kinds of motions for reconsideration and appeal to say his side of the story. So its better to have all the documents at the time of interview in my opinion.
 
JohnnyCash, what you just said refers to someone who might NOT have a cut and dry situation. If someone had a run in with the law, that person would need to keep that in mind with relation to naturalisation and documents. What I meant was if someone is essentially squeaky-clean, then they need not go crazy with documents. And, if for some reason there are charges against them that they DO NOT KNOW ABOUT, how would they even go about getting documents JUST IN CASE?
 
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