Some questions before sending N-400

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Polo5

New Member
Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and well, i been searching and reading some posts and well, I can say that I found some really good information :) and I want to thank you all for that.

I also have some additional questions that I was not able to find, so if anyone can help me I would really appreciate it. I have read the instructions and requirements to apply for citizenship but again, I still have some questions and I wanted to know if someone could help me get some answers / opinions .

1. In what type of envelope should I send the application, money order, copy of resident card and money order??

2. Should I send the envelope express delivery or just regular mail?

3. In part 7 of the application it asks how many times the applicant spent outside of the United States during the past 5 years. My situation is that I live really close to the border and I go to Mexico at least 1 weekend a month I really don't remember the dates but my trips have always been 1 to 2 days (never more than 6 months) what should I put in this section?? I dont want to make up just numbers and dates and add them there. What would be the best thing to put there if I don't remember specific dates or times?

4. In part 10A, it asks if the applicant since becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident has ever failed to file a required federal or local tax return. Before 04 I don't remember filing an income tax (even though I worked a part time job) I filed on 04 and I didn't filed on 05 as I was working part time the University and I didn't make much income on 06 I filed again and will be filing again in this year. Since I didn't file on 05 or before 04 would I check that box on part 10?

5. In part 10D it asks if the applicant has ever been arrested, cited or detained by any law enforcement officer (including USCIS or former INS and military officers) for any reason? I have been given traffic violations. Should I select "yes" and add a list with the 2 traffic (speeding) tickets that I have?

6. In part 10B it asks if the applicant has been a member of or associated with any organization, association, fund foundation, party, club, society. I was part of several societies, clubs and organization when in college. Should I include all of them?

7. Is it recommended to get an attorney for this? or is ok if I do the whole process by myself? does it make a different?

Thanks in advance :)
 
I am responding to your questions as best as I can:

1. Any envelope that is sturdy enough. A regular yellow office envelope would do just fine. Just don't fold the application...

2. Your choice. From what I have heard/read, regular mail works just fine. Do try to use some kind of delivery tracking method.

3. You need to be as accurate as you can possibly be. If you need additional space, use extra sheets that are cleary marked and carry your A#.

4. I would suggest talking with a CPA and getting all your old (unfiled?) taxes in order. Make sure everything is filed and that you don't owe any money to the IRS. Have documentary proof, and you should be fine.

5. Yes. Make sure you carry all proof of payment and such to the interview. The N-400 Instructions tell you exactly what to do. FYI, lots of people don't even mention trafic tickets. This is one of the most discussed topics on here. IF it was DUI related, you might want to check with a lawyer.

6. You should mention all these clubs and such.

7. Aside from your tax thing, I don't see anything that's different from most people that would require a lawyer. Use your best judgement.

Above is just my opinion and not legal advice. Please consult an attorney if you need advice about your case.

Good luck!

Regards.
Sammy
 
I will also do my best Job to answer your Questions !

1. In what type of envelope should I send the application, money order, copy of resident card and money order??
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Send it in one of those brown I think they are 8x10 envelopes and don't forget your 2 pictures.

2. Should I send the envelope express delivery or just regular mail?
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You can send it regular mail but what many people do is also get a return reciept so you know they have recieved it.

3. In part 7 of the application it asks how many times the applicant spent outside of the United States during the past 5 years. My situation is that I live really close to the border and I go to Mexico at least 1 weekend a month I really don't remember the dates but my trips have always been 1 to 2 days (never more than 6 months) what should I put in this section?? I dont want to make up just numbers and dates and add them there. What would be the best thing to put there if I don't remember specific dates or times?
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I agree with Samosa. You need to be as accurate as you can be. But don't make up dates. For example I worked for a few weeks right after I got here but didn't remember the exact dates so I just put down August-September 2001. If you go at least one weekend a month just write the month and the year or something like it and you can explain the rest later during the Interview.

4. In part 10A, it asks if the applicant since becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident has ever failed to file a required federal or local tax return. Before 04 I don't remember filing an income tax (even though I worked a part time job) I filed on 04 and I didn't filed on 05 as I was working part time the University and I didn't make much income on 06 I filed again and will be filing again in this year. Since I didn't file on 05 or before 04 would I check that box on part 10?
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Every person living legally in the US is required to file Taxes even if you think you didn't make enough. I am not sure what the "cutoff" is but I think you can file 3 years back so before you send in your application why don't you take the W-2's from the years you didn't file and go to an accountant or to H&R Block and see if you can file them too and then you don't have to worry about that section. IF you can't do that then yes you have to check that box and that might cause some problems.

5. In part 10D it asks if the applicant has ever been arrested, cited or detained by any law enforcement officer (including USCIS or former INS and military officers) for any reason? I have been given traffic violations. Should I select "yes" and add a list with the 2 traffic (speeding) tickets that I have?
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Samosa is right this is one of the most digussed subjects on this forum. I would say check yes, go to the courthouse if you have not already gotten a reciept or proof of payment and you are set to go. Many people don't mention it but others do because they see a Traffic or Speeding Ticket as a citation. If there was no DUI or anything like it you have nothing to worry about. Just make sure you get proof of payment.

6. In part 10B it asks if the applicant has been a member of or associated with any organization, association, fund foundation, party, club, society. I was part of several societies, clubs and organization when in college. Should I include all of them?
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Yes you should. It might help you in the Interview showing you have been involved in many things during college unless they are "bad" societies.

7. Is it recommended to get an attorney for this? or is ok if I do the whole process by myself? does it make a different?
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Hmmm, see if you can file your Taxes from your Years you didn't file first and if you can't I suggest you get one for the following reason. I actually mentioned it before. You are required to file Taxes as a LPR or as a US Citizen every Year. Even if you live outside the US. If you can't "backfile" them I would seek a lawyer but again like I said. Try to file them first before you send in your N-400.

I have to go with "Sammy" and also tell you that this is my personal advice. I am not a lawyer and just go by what I have been reading the past 16+ month on this board
 
Thank you samosa1, Ladybuggy and desihai

I will go ahead and probably go with an attorney.

All of my questions go answered, except for the one of the income tax.

In previous years, my parents put me as a dependent, and I believe that is the reason why I didn't bother to file and also, at that time i made like 3 or 4k in a whole year. I remember that if I had file, i was going to receive 300 dollars back or something like that so I really didn't bother filing. I know that's not the best thing to do, but that is how I saw it back in those days. Never thought it would affect me now.

I just hope that doesn't bring me any problems :(

The citations I only have 2, both of them speeding tickets. one in 03 and the other one in 04. I don't have receipts or anything, so I think i would need to ask an attorney about that as well.

Thank you very much for the advise, I wanted to do this by myself, but it seems that I will need to get an attorney to help me with the issue of those years I didn't file for taxes.
 
Polo5:

1. Make a checklist of things to send. At a minimum, you have to send -
- fully filled-in application, signed and dated,
- enclose 2 passport-size photos, sign with pencil on the back of both photos, check for required amount, copy of both sides of green card, status letter from selective service (check out http://www.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?t=197782),
- send by USPS Priority Mail (with tracking) or USPS Express Mail (do not fold documents).

2. Before you do this, you have to bring your tax filing current. Check out http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=108327,00.html for advice on how to file past year returns. You may want to get the help of H&R Block or similar tax return assistance firms, or simply get help from IRS to become legit on the IRS front.

3. If all you have are a couple of speeding tickets, you are OK there.

With this, you may not need an attorney to file your N400.

Good luck.
 
Polo5 said:
3. In part 7 of the application it asks how many times the applicant spent outside of the United States during the past 5 years. My situation is that I live really close to the border and I go to Mexico at least 1 weekend a month I really don't remember the dates but my trips have always been 1 to 2 days (never more than 6 months) what should I put in this section?? I dont want to make up just numbers and dates and add them there. What would be the best thing to put there if I don't remember specific dates or times?
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I wondered the same thing as you when I was filing my husband's application. We also live very close to the Mexican border and both of us have family in border towns and visit constantly-weekends mostly. I finally asked a lawyer and he told me what I was planning to say and finally wrote on there was fine, as long as I didn't lie.
I wrote on there the last trips I could remember and explained to them that there were constant visits for the reasons mentioned above and that most of those visits I could not remember, but that he never stayed for more than 1 week, much less 6 mos. He had no problems, they didn't even question it at his interview.
We mailed the application in May '07, he's going to his Oath ceremony on the 14th-this Friday!;)
I plan on using the same explanation on my application. I think most IO's are understanding of our(Mexicans) situation.
 
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