Basic guidance to start Citizenship process

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MushyBushy

Registered Users (C)
Gurus,

This forum has provided good information to learn about citizenship. I am starting this process and want to make sure I don't goof up. Please help me with the basic information,

1) Is N400 the only form required?
2) Do I need to fill separate forms for myself and my wife?
3) Do I need to fill up any form for my son who is minor?
4) What documents I need to provide when I send the application?
5) Which is the best way to pay - check or cashier's check? Should I pay for my wife and I with one check or separate checks?

I very much appreciate your help.

Thanks
 
Guidance Answer!

This forum has provided good information to learn about citizenship. I am starting this process and want to make sure I don't goof up. Please help me with the basic information,

1) Is N400 the only form required?
Yes.
2) Do I need to fill separate forms for myself and my wife?
Yes.
3) Do I need to fill up any form for my son who is minor?
Not until you are naturalized. Then you can file form N600.4) What documents I need to provide when I send the application?
5) Which is the best way to pay - check or cashier's check?
Personal Check...it is easier to track!

Should I pay for my wife and I with one check or separate checks?
You and your wife need to fill out the applications separately.
Place them in separate envelopes with separate checks with the correct amounts for both.

I very much appreciate your help.
My pleasure! May the force be with you! :)
 
1) Yes
2) Yes
3) No. I assume he has a green card. In that case he'll become a citizen when either you or your wife become a citizen. Look in the internet for child citizenship act of 2000 for complete details and corner cases
4) The basic ones are photocopy of green card and two passport pictures.
5) Best thing to do is to put each application and cheque in its own envelope. Some people put them inside a third envelope. Definitely separate cheques. I used personal cheque and didn't have any issue. Some people prefer money order.
 
Thanks and you guys are great and prompt. Good luck to you all and will keep checking this forum for information. I will come back to you experts if have more questions.
 
Guys, some more help from you.

1) I got a speeding ticket around 4 yrs back with fine less than $500 and no DUI. Should I mention this in the form?

2) Should I send the applications by registered post or ordinary post?

Thanks.
 
MushyBushy said:
Guys, some more help from you.

1) I got a speeding ticket around 4 yrs back with fine less than $500 and no DUI. Should I mention this in the form?
Click to expand...
Lots of discussion about this. The wisest is to list your tickets and bring either the court dispositions/payment receipts or your DMV record which shows that your license was not suspended for non-payment of tickets.
MushyBushy said:
2) Should I send the applications by registered post or ordinary post?
Click to expand...
Under normal circumstances, ordinary first-class mail would be OK but... with the surge of N-400 applications, the USCIS will send you a Notice of Action within 90 days of your filing, and you may start getting nervous if you see nothing for 13 long weeks (BTW it is a good training because the wait for the Interview Letter can take longer). So if you feel you can get cranky by getting nothing in the mail for 13 weeks, you may opt at least for Priority Mail + Delivery Confirmation or if you like to receive a signed USPS receipt in your mailbox you can go for return receipt. The choice is yours.

WIth First class Mail, you can also track how quickly your check gets cashed - it gives you a confirmation that your application was received, but it still can take 3-4 weeks before your check gets cashed.
 
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Hi MushyBushy,

I mentioned it, providing "yes" answers to the appropriate questions and attaching a writen explanation. I got an original copy of the receipt from the court, made my own copies and sent the original with the application. This varies both from applicant to applicant and IO to IO. Hope this helps!

Best Wishes,
-Jedi.Knight
 
I put my wife's application and mine in the same envelope and had no problems.

I see many ppl recommending separate envelopes but I see no evidence to suggest that is required.
 
Hello Gurus, I have another question.

I have a minor son, do I need to fill separate form for him?

If yes, which form?

If I need separate form, what documents are requirement to be sent?

Thanks
 
If your son is over 18 years old and meets the eligibility requirements, he would apply through a separate N-400.

If your son is under 18 and resides with you in the United States, he would automatically become a US citizen as soon as you become a citizen according to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. By then, you could request a certificate of citizenship for him using form N-600.

If your son is under 18 and resides outside the United States, he would become citizen as soon as he enters the United States on a Green Card. The form to use for the Certificate of Citizenship would be the N-600K.
 
Great Thanks, McMahon.

This is very helpful. My son is 13 so I will only apply for myself and my wife. Then apply for his certificate with Form N600.
 
With your help, I sent out my application on September 17th via USPS certified mail and got the receipt back. However, the checkes are still not cashed, is this normal? I have seen various people porting that after 10 days the checks are usually cashed. Please enlighten me.
 
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