To apply as 5 year resident or 3 year marriage based?

C

Ceekay70

New Member
HI All,

I just discovered this website and I have learned so much about the N-400 process. Thank you all for you input.

I was wondering, since I've been a GC holder since 2000 (married a citizen and got GC through marriage), shall I apply based on the 5 year PR residence or marriage based? From what I've been reading, the process is much easier (less required paperwork) for the 5 year category. I was initially going to apply via the marriage category, but having re-read the option boxes given, I think I could apply as the 5 year category. We have always filed jointly for taxes, though. I have a mail order business which doesn't make money and definitely could not support our family! (main income is spouse).

I am gathering all the "required" documents for the past 3 years in prep for the 3 year category - so far I've got 1040s, car insurance, health & life insurance, bank statements (the house and utility bills are in spouse's name; I do have ConEd in both our names but it's only from Jan. 09), kids' birth certs. Do you think these are enough? LOL! I haven't even send in my form yet and I'm already planning for something months ahead!

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Ceekay70 said:
HI All,

I just discovered this website and I have learned so much about the N-400 process. Thank you all for you input.

I was wondering, since I've been a GC holder since 2000 (married a citizen and got GC through marriage), shall I apply based on the 5 year PR residence or marriage based? From what I've been reading, the process is much easier (less required paperwork) for the 5 year category. I was initially going to apply via the marriage category, but having re-read the option boxes given, I think I could apply as the 5 year category. We have always filed jointly for taxes, though. I have a mail order business which doesn't make money and definitely could not support our family! (main income is spouse).

I am gathering all the "required" documents for the past 3 years in prep for the 3 year category - so far I've got 1040s, car insurance, health & life insurance, bank statements (the house and utility bills are in spouse's name; I do have ConEd in both our names but it's only from Jan. 09), kids' birth certs. Do you think these are enough? LOL! I haven't even send in my form yet and I'm already planning for something months ahead!

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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5 years is better. If 5 years based, you probably don't have to provide documents that are used to prove marriage (Of course you should still get them ready in case especially they may still need to
re-examine how you got the GC).

When one has 5 years on GC, one should choose 3 year marriage based application only if one has something bad betweeb 3-5 years ago that can be used to detemine moral character
 
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