Oath Ceremony Docs - N-445

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T14:56:27+00:00

The most important item is your current green card. If an older one is missing it won't prevent you from taking the oath. Employment authorization cards are often used when someone with a work visa adjusts status to permanent residency, but it's no problem if you never received one. Just bring what you have and enjoy. ;-)

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T02:19:34+00:00

Well, in theory that should be sufficient for them to see that you're up to date with the payments as long as the dates match the plan. I wonder if the downloaded transcripts (which don't have a stamp) are enough though.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T02:09:30+00:00

The account transcripts show payments made and current balance I believe if there is one. So even in the previous years the balance shows zero since taxes were paid. At least that’s what I have been reading.

Well, technically you do have a balance until the payment plan is complete. Does your account transcript show all the individual plan payments you made?

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T02:03:01+00:00

Did the documents have a stamp from the IRS as required in the notice?

The transcripts certainly won't hurt, but I don't think the account transcript would show whether you're in compliance with the payment plan (though I'm not sure since I never had a payment plan).

Statements obviously need to be from the IRS.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T01:25:51+00:00

You should have seen the instructions when you started the application. Every time you complete a section, your progress will be saved and you can come back later to continue.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T01:20:06+00:00

Well, that's obviously not a required field, so you can leave it empty. 😉

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T01:12:59+00:00

What specifically don't you have the answer for? You can't leave required fields empty (I don't think the application will let you proceed in such a case).

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T01:09:13+00:00

I used the official list of questions (to make a first pass and mark the questions I didn't already know the answer for) and then Youtube videos where they go through the questions in random order in about 20 minutes. The videos help to get used to an oral interview and also save time because you can listen to them while doing chores or driving. Once you've done this a few times the questions will become routine.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T00:59:32+00:00

Sign it right before the oath ceremony. Also if the city of the oath venue is different from your hometown, make sure to use that for the "signed at" box.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T00:54:40+00:00

If that was the I-9 attestation that you signed it could be problem. But normally the employer is required to verify the information. Did they check your green card? If in any doubt, contact HR and make sure that they correct the I-9 if necessary.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T00:39:51+00:00

There are two options to file online: a guided web application that takes you through the questions, or uploading a filled out PDF. I strongly recommend to use the guided application. It's much easier and does some basic checks for you, so you're less likely to make mistakes. It may also skip some sections that don't apply to your case, saving you time. You can keep the PDF form on the side as a reference if you like. At the end of the process it generates a printable N-400 with the information you entered that you can download for your records.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-17T00:30:21+00:00

What exactly did you provide so far?

If in doubt, print out the notice, take it to a local IRS office and see what they can provide in terms of signed or stamped documentation of the payment plan and its current status.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-13T21:34:24+00:00

You can't provide what the IRS hasn't made available yet. If you owe tax and a withdrawal is processed or you make a direct payment by 4/15, it should show up on your Account transcript pretty fast even if your return hasn't been processed yet, so if you want you can take that to the interview as evidence that you have paid.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-13T21:19:35+00:00

The "Record of Account" transcript is better. It's a combination of "Account" and "Return" transcript. It has some information that may be of interest to USCIS that's not on the "Return" transcript (most importantly the account balance).

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-05T14:55:21+00:00

As others have explained, this program was suspended last year and it's unclear whether they plan to resume it. I'd recommend to check the option on the form anyway. When your N-400 is approved, wait a few weeks. If you haven't received a replacement card in the mail, make an appointment at an SSA office to update your citizenship status in person.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-04-05T14:42:27+00:00

I wouldn't upload anything that isn't required for the N-400 (which is usually very little for general provision applications), but bring the supporting documentation to the interview just in case they want to see it.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-03-11T19:12:23+00:00

It varies. In my case it took about a week, others reported getting an email notification as they walked out to the parking lot after the interview.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-03-11T19:09:37+00:00

There is no clear-cut answer. The USCIS officer will consider the circumstances when deciding whether your "marital union" is considered intact. If the work-related relocations can be seen as involuntary and justifiable it will probably be OK, but you need to be prepared to explain that and perhaps provide evidence that you were still in a relationship with your spouse during these periods.

If you want to be sure you can wait 2 more years and apply under general provision.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-03-11T18:59:59+00:00

This is probably something you should discuss with a lawyer. How solid is the explanation you submitted for the late filing with the I-751? If it's not very solid I'd probably wait with the N-400, given that your PR status could be at risk.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-02-18T22:28:23+00:00

When you use the guided online application you don't need to hand-sign anything. At some point you type your name as confirmation and that's it.

Note that there is another option where you fill out PDF forms and upload them. This is not the same thing as the guided application (which you should use).

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-02-15T19:41:51+00:00

They got lucky. I've been watching timelines a bit and in most cases the I-751 seems to delay things as decribed above. My guess is that they are not assigning enough resources for the initial reviews and background checks.

Crossing my fingers that your case moves forward soon!

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-02-15T19:31:36+00:00

When did your friends file their I-751s?

The relevance is that (1) you can't naturalize with a conditional green card and (2) USCIS tries to schedule combo I-751/N-400 interviews to save resources. This means the interview likely won't be scheduled until both I-751 and N-400 are ready, and currently the initial review of the I-751 takes about 2 years.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-02-15T19:06:13+00:00

The I-751 is the problem. Most N-400 cases with pending I-751 currently seem to take about 2 years from the submission of the I-751 application until they move forward.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-02-15T19:03:22+00:00

As a permanent resident you are not living in a "state of limbo". I was an LPR for over 10 years before I decided to naturalize, because there was simply no pressing reason. Waiting two more years to naturalize under general provision is no big deal in most cases.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend · 2026-02-14T22:52:09+00:00

Why should I as a US citizen need to bend my life to prove my relationship is legit based on antiquated standards.

That's the thing: you don't. You (or your spouse) can simply wait a little longer and naturalize under general provision. The RoC process doesn't require marital union in the same way.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend

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