Error on N400: reporting length of trip/destination

H

hoping4citz

New Member
I've been a green card holder for 12 years but applied for naturalization about three months ago. Today I received my interview date and this prompted me to re-read my N-400 application form, where I realized that I made a mistake when completing it.

Although the past five years are what count in making sure that you meet the residency eligibility requirements, you still have to report every trip since you became a resident. So, I did this but quickly filled-in the info on the trips from over five years ago, then really concentrated on ensuring accuracy for these last five years.

On the last trip that I took before the most recent five years, I wrote down that it was a two week trip to New Zealand, instead of a four month trip to a number of countries, including NZ. The last two weeks of the four months were there and I wrote it that way intending to come back to it later with full details, as I knew it was going to take time (the other trips during that first five years were very straightforward). Only thing is I forgot to go back and correct it, and mailed the application with the error. One thing to note: I obviously told the truth when returning to the US as the immigration guy wrote "out four months" on my passport.

What should I do? Has anyone had this, or something similar happen? I'm not worried about it affecting the residency requirement since it was over five years ago, but I'm worried about this whole "moral character" thing as I signed the application form saying everything was true and correct. I'm thinking I should immediately bring it up at my interview and not simply hope that it won't be noticed.

Thanks for any help.

Kay
 
From my exprience, there should be nothing for you to worry about. You are allowed to make changes to your application after you have submitted it; just be frank with the officer and indicate your mistake...s/he would be glad to correct it.

I went to my interview today and also had to change the number of days that I spent outside the US (but mined was a difference of 1 day). She made more changes based on the answers I gave her to some of the questions that she asked...concerning mostly those moral character questions where most people are expected to answer NO and a YES would want more information.

She found for a example that I had lied to an officer in the past when I got into the country but I paid a fine for that a long time ago and that was it. She said that even though I paid a fine as my file also notes, I needed to indicated that I had lied to an officer and as such she changed my answer to YES from a NO. I passed the interview and it only took less than 30mins (the bulk of the time being focused on my name change). She recommended my application for approval and said that I should hear something soon about when my Oath ceremony would be. She gave me the letter which indicates that I have passed the interview and that she recommends it for approval.

Be yourself and be truthful with the officer; if there are things to be corrected or more information is needed, s/he would tell you how to proceed and they will see that you been very open with them. I'll recommend that you take your original documents to the interview and also bring along your birth certificate (even though it was not mentioned as being a requirement).
 
From my reading, it sounds like a honest mistake and very minor in nature, therefore this should be considered as moral issue. You would not benefit from this anyway.

I would suggest to list all your past trips in a separate spreadsheet, and bring it your interview. This will show your intention to get it corrected even it's a minor error.
 
This is not a big deal unless the trip(s) that you did not report makes you ineligible for Naturalization. You can provide the information at the time of interview.

Don't sweat over this.
 
Nothing you said on your application is final until the Officer reviews them with you and you sign the application. You will be able to make any changes necessary of the application at the time if the interview.


Cheers,

Newly
 
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