ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General Discussiondid anybody lose their "born"citizenship??
Many countries do allow dual citizenship, you may have to contact the embassy here to find out if they allow it and what's the process for it. Most info is available online. I know that India allows dual citizenship, you have to fill out some forms and send your info along with $250. Sometimes they take as long as one year (my sister is still waiting to hear from them). My gut feeling is - this process (if allowed by your birth country) is fairly easy to do.
Some countries simply 'ignore' the other citizenship - which means that they insist you enter your 'birth' country with your 'birth' passport (you leave with your US passport so you end up carrying both when you travel) - Colombia and some other countries fall into this category - the downside is - you must serve the national military if required regardless of your new citizenship - so Iran will arrest you if you are a male of a certain age etc. - so one must be aware of these rules (yes that means you can't go back home!) Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-07 10:20:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMissing Evidence
Congratulations. Good that your oath is schedules pretty soon. Best wishes
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-08 14:15:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionInterview date coming and in fight with my wife
I saw this one on "As The World Turns or was it "All My Children"!
To meet the requirements of the 3 year rule - you must be living with her up to the day of the oath ceremony! Or else, you can wait another 2 -years and apply under the 5 year rule. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-12 11:25:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMother filing for Citizenship - has daughter over 18
QUOTE (queendlee @ May 12 2009, 04:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i would think that as well but at my local office they had teenagers taking the oath with their parents, so i thought they needed to be apart of the application.
plus the uscis.gov site says that the child act applies to adoptions on one page
however now i wonder about the oath taken by kids that they showed on tv when my local office opened last year

That's easily explainable. Any body can pledge allegiance to the flag and many schools do this - the kids present at the ceremony are free to take the pledge - that doess not make them citizens. For example my wife's friends who are greencard holders want to come to her ceremony - they can also stand up and take the oath - I will do it too (I am a USCitizen and can do it whenever I want!).
I think you are confused by a very common act done by teenagers and others. This not because they are becoming citizens by this act - they are just affirming their allegiance.

Edited by motu, 13 May 2009 - 10:40 AM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-13 10:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMother filing for Citizenship - has daughter over 18
Thanks Lucy - I was sure the 13 year old just needs to go and get her US passport once the mom gets her citizenship, but I can see nowhere that the 20 year old has any choice other than waiting for 2 more years. She believes that the over 18 but under 21 rule for K2 (which she used for her visa on her mom's K1) might be available somehow for this also. Thanks:
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-12 13:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMother filing for Citizenship - has daughter over 18
Oops can't delete this. Sorry

Edited by motu, 12 May 2009 - 01:19 PM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-12 13:15:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMother filing for Citizenship - has daughter over 18
My wife's friend is filing for her citizenship based on 3 years marriage to a USC. From searching the forum it seems that the mother's 13 year old is automatically a citizen when the mother gets her citizenship; but what happens to her 20 year old daughter? Does she have to wait the 5 years (2 more years) or is there some provision for children under 21? All I found was the one for children under 18. Thanks:

Edited by motu, 11 May 2009 - 08:36 PM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-11 20:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFiling N-400 - Questions
QUOTE (sweetpea1 @ May 13 2009, 02:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is it okay to make a copy of my wife's Certificate of Naturalization to attach to my N-400?

Yes - we have all done this. And I have done it many times - for my wife's K1, AOS, citizenship etc. Good Luck

Edited by motu, 14 May 2009 - 10:41 AM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-14 10:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFiling N-400 - Questions
I sent in the tax returns I had - you can't send a copy if you haven't filed it yet (and are not required to file yet). AT the interview my wife took tax returns for 2006, 2007, 2008 and the interviewer took the 2007 and 08 returns. It's not a big deal - we had no rfe or anything for that. Your other two questions are simple - Yes! By the way - this is the easiest of all processes - don't worry about it biggrin.gif (unless you have illegal acts in your background! unsure.gif ) Good Luck

motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-13 10:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPassport - Walk In
Interesting - though when I went to the Denver website they say this:
"The Colorado Passport Agency only serves customers who are traveling, or submitting their passports for foreign visas, within 14 days. To apply at the Agency, you must schedule an appointment by calling toll-free at 1-877-487-2778, 24 hours/day. If you are not traveling, or needing to submit your passport for foreign visas within 14 days, you must apply at a Passport Application Acceptance Facility."
There is no exception for newly naturalized applicants. Does the letter somehow grant the new citizen an exception? May be worth trying when the time comes. Thanks:

Edited by motu, 14 May 2009 - 10:38 AM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-14 10:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCopying of Naturalization Certificate
I have included copies of my naturalization certificate several times in this process (for my wife) - K1, AOS, citizenship etc. - as long as its official its supposed to be OK. I am also not too afraid of this particular rule - seems to be it falls under the do not remove under penalty of law - labels on mattresses! biggrin.gif: Don't be afraid, go ahead make copies and use them - I have.
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-14 10:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCopies for the Application
You should just send copies and keep the originals for the interview if asked. My wife did the same - she was not asked for originals but she had them with her when we went for the interview. We didn't include originals for birth certificate or marriage certificate or the citizenship certificate etc. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-16 15:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionApplying for Citizenship
Just submit last three years tax returns - its not an issue if you have paid the taxes or not - having filed is what they want to see. You can carry the payment docs with you for the interview, but I doubt they will ask for it. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-17 11:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionName not on Mortgage/Utility bills.
Hey Bituin:
No need to worry about the mortgage being in both names. I never added my wife to ours and that didn't matter. Also, they are less likely to ask for evidence of co-mingled lives at the citizenship interview - however, we did send bank statements, tax returns, credit card statement, insurance (home and car with both names on it) and a utility bill. The lady who teaches citizenship classes also looked at my wife's package and thought it was very good - she did tell my wife to take recent bank and utility statements to the interview (none were asked for) but I think she has had some students who had to produce these (This happened at the Denver Office (now Centennial)) - so, it's up to you.
1) Send what you have
2) take what you can
Whatever makes you feel comfortable - that's the key - worse case would be you have to produce another piece of evidence - best would be you didn't need it. Either way, its not a big deal.Good Luck

Edited by motu, 18 May 2009 - 10:35 AM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-18 10:33:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontraffic citations
Generally - the interviewer just writes "TRAFFIC" when you report these on your N-400. I would assume since you do not know the dates or citations - you could mention these on a separate piece of paper that - You had a few tickets for speeding etc. but do not recall the dates and offenses, but were all under $500 or some such wording- Or just disregard them and do not report anything. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-19 10:05:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionApplying for citizenship while married but living separately
QUOTE (Old Dominion @ May 17 2009, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You are OK to file for citizenship. In this economy, lots more couples are "separated" for job reasons. Why is a lawyer needed?

I disagree. You are not living together - just living together a fraction of the time. If they see two different addresses - one for you and one for your wife - that shows you are not living together. If you claim that you are living together and do not show the two different addresses - you are lying - even if the lawyer tells you to do it- don't. You can just wait two years to apply for citizenship - why is it so critical? Why can't you wait? Good Luck with you financial situation and married life, citizenship is minor.
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-17 14:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTravel to Canada on GC
QUOTE (zoony @ May 19 2009, 09:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you very much for your reply . Much appreciated....hope you had fun on your dates in canada.

I did! Drinking age in Canada was 18 - in Detroit 21 - so she could drink there, making me very special for getting her drunk rofl.gif several times!
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-19 14:21:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTravel to Canada on GC
QUOTE (zoony @ May 19 2009, 07:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you for your reply . I was a little concerned about this and did not have any idea about next steps. I hold an Indian passport .. should that matter .

Hey Zoony:
I lived in Michigan for 3+ years and went to Canda for Pizza, gas, golf or on dates - never carried a passport - it wasn't required. - Many Indians lived in Windsor and studied in Detroit - they used to commute daily (it was only 75cents for crossing the bridge or tunnel in those days) - So, do not worry about this. ALso, when you file for citizenship - you can jus tmention that you went to Canda many times for short durations of time during such and such periods - you do not need to provide actual dates - I could never have done that if they asked for actual dates - its all cool! Don't worry. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-19 10:02:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual Ctizen got married to US what to write in US Citzenship form
QUOTE (MsAnn @ May 8 2009, 07:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
If you are a citizen or national of more than one country, write the name of the foreign country that issued your last passport.


This is directly from the N-400 instructions.

So, if he became a citizen of Canada but didn't get a passport from Canada - he writes Pakistan? Interesting!
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-09 10:54:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionQUESTION
You get to keep your old passport - I have mine. Remember some countries allow dual citizenship - so you retain your old citizenship and will need to use your passport (especially to travel to your home country if that's the case) - my wife is from Colombia and will need both her passports from now on when traveling to Colombia. You need to find out what your old/current country allows or requires (some countries you need to re-register or something like that). Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-24 12:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNeed help on some n-400 questions: already dual
I crossed out Five on these questions and wrote 'Three' and gave info based on 3 years - no questions or issues. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-24 12:58:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFiling N-400 soon, just realized I may have made a mistake
QUOTE (onwa @ May 25 2009, 01:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We have moved three times since the K1 visa and are now applying for citizenship. We never once sent in any change of address and we have not had any problems.

Onwa: You could have a big problem. You have violated the terms of your residency and can be deported/denied etc. - I would suggest file an AR11 at once. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-25 16:29:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFiling N-400 soon, just realized I may have made a mistake
Not a big deal - Relax.
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-24 12:53:00
US Citizenship General Discussionquestio
His info says K3. Should be moved to the K3 forum. Seems like he was stuck in administrative review and now he has been denied. Pleas emove to K3 forum where someone might help him. Thanks
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-26 13:43:00
US Citizenship General Discussionfiling for n400
First of all - Look at your greencard - when you receive it - it will say Resident since - that's the day you became a resident. You will need to be a resident for 3 years and married to a US citizen for the same three years to apply (90 days before the 3 years) for citizenship. If not married to a US citizen - then you have to wait for 5 years (less 90 days). Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-25 16:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPassports
My wife took her two passports and one greencard to the interview - she was only asked for the greencard but was returned. For the oath she just has to take her greencard which will be turned over (if you have AP you need to take that also). Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-26 13:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBest way to study for citizenship test?
My wife has been using the flashcards and sometimes bats 100% - her English is weak but she is taking English communication classes (she is also taking citizenship classes) - none of these is expensive - the flashcards were $13; the citizenship classes are $60 (one time fee - good till you pass your test); the English classes are $80 per month. So, my suggestion - have her do as much as she can - every little bit helps. And from not understanding the question at first to being able to answer all answers to the questions - was done in about 2 months by my wife. Now it seems that the citizenship interview is too far - she wishes it was today. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-27 12:05:00
US Citizenship General Discussionfiling n400
Yes - go ahead and file for citizenship - it will force USCIS to deal with both issues. Others have done it before you - not unusual. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-27 10:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionInterview Letter questions
It's standard wording. My wife was done in 20 minutes. No one looked at anything other than the greencard - only asked for tax returns 2008, and 2007. Don't worry about it. Just carry what you think you want to. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-27 10:37:00
US Citizenship General Discussion2 more questions about the n-400
Write all names used in the names used boxes - also put your maiden name there. You can just send in a copy of your 1040 and w-2s - you don't have to get the IRS transcripts, but if you have the time, you can request these from the phone line (they are free). Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-26 13:41:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCan I apply for citizenship after divorce?
Just download the N400 and its instructions and read it. You can apply 90 days before the 5 year period. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-02 17:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMarried to U.S. citizen - Can I file n-400 already?
If you download the N400 (application for naturalization) and its instructions - you will see that an LPR married to a US citizen is eligible after 3 years. And they do let you file 90 days prior to the 3 year period - so yes; you can do it. this is exactly what hundreds of thousands of people do including the ones on VJ - look at their signatures and timelines, including mine. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-02 17:10:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 Question - Part 7 A.
QUOTE (l.j./1999 @ Jun 6 2009, 10:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We did as others here have suggested and crossed out the word "five" and replaced it with "three" since it just didn't make sense to use 5 years when my husband was not even living in the U.S. 5 years ago.

Still waiting to receive an interview appointment so can't be sure this approach won't cause any issues, but we've seen many other posters here who did the same and didn't encounter any problems.

I did this and have also told others to do it - I crossed out the five and wrote three - There was never any question about this in my wife's interview. Her oath is on June 10th. If you do not cross out five and or do describe the 5 years then make sure to explain that you are using the three years rule and the first two years were out of the country. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-06 12:27:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionResidency and Taxes
Good News - if you live and work abroad - generally you can exclude approximately $87,000 a year - so, unless you are in a high paying job - you will not have a tax liability - But you must still file taxes. Generally all income (from everywhere) is taxed by the US Govt. but there are exclusions that apply (as mentioned above among others) and almost any time you pay taxes to another country - you can take a credit for taxes paid (so, technically - you never pay double taxes on the same income). When you fall under this category - try and carefully navigate through Turbo tax or any other tax program either on CD or online - and they will walk you through it. Many of us will eventually move out of USA, as many others have already done and do pay taxes or at least file taxes, especially since our pension or social security is US based. In addition you may also have to file documents informing the US Govt of your foreign bank accounts - (generally if you have more than $10,000 in it). Basically, once you move out - try and get more info through The IRS website; the Treasury website or from other expatriates residing where you do - Many countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama have expatriate websites helping each other out (like Visa Journey)- it's quite common. Several thousand US citizens live in Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica among all the other countries of the world. My sister lives in India (she is a US citizen); my friend just moved to Colombia (Also a US resident) among others that I personally know of. Another good thing - your US money generally goes twice as far as in USA! So, suddenly, you are pretty rich! Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-07 14:47:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNaturalization Inverview Checklist
Take your passport - they sometimes check dates in it. Also take a recent Utility statement, my wife's citizenship class teacher suggested this - but she was not asked for it, others have been asked. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-07 14:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNew Denver USCIS Office
Which office did you go to - the Centennial office near Arapahoe? We went there for my wife's interview and it seems to be only partially being used - the parking lot had only 25-30 cars and there were hardly any people in the waiting area - maybe 12 or 15.
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-08 11:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionOur oath letter came - This Friday's the day!
If something has changed since your interview - bring documents related to that - for example if you traveled out of the country - bring your passport to show the dates you were out; if you got arrested - bring documents to explain it; got divorced or any thing of that nature. Other than that, Just carry your greencard and your passport application with pictures if you intend to do it at the ceremony. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-07 14:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionQuestion
You can also get it corrected at the interview. And I have seen the name changed even at the oath ceremony - so you still have 2 more chances. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-09 14:31:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionGoing back to the US after almost 6 months of absence
As long as you didn't visit some terrorist camps or supported such activities you are OK. Tell them that you have moved out of USA for the time being and may not live in USA again - its perfectly legal to do that (some of my friends have already done this - moved out of USA). Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-09 14:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionChanging name through citizenship application
Lots of people do the name change on the N400 - its part of the 'freebie' you get. No sweat. Good Luck to Ganna I mean Anna.
motuNot TellingColombia2009-06-10 16:15:00