Understanding Part 10: Information About Your Marital History in the N-400 Form (3)

I. Introduction

The N-400 form stands as a pivotal document in the journey toward naturalization within the United States. Serving as the Application for Naturalization, this form encapsulates a wealth of crucial information necessary for individuals seeking citizenship. Among its various sections, Part 10 holds significant weight, focusing specifically on divulging intricate details about an applicant’s marital history.

As an essential segment of the naturalization process, Part 10 of the N-400 form requires diligent attention and precision. In this section, applicants are tasked with providing an exhaustive account of their marital journey, including their current spouse’s previous marriages, if any, as well as their own past marital unions. The accuracy and completeness of the information provided in this section hold profound implications for the naturalization proceedings.

Part 10 – Information About Your Marital History

Explanation of Specific Questions in Part 10

Question 8: Details about the Current Spouse’s Prior Marriages

• A. Legal Name of My Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse:
  • This requires the legal name (Family Name, Given Name, Middle Name if applicable) of your current spouse’s previous spouse.
• B. Immigration Status of My Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse (if known):
  • Determine the immigration status of your current spouse’s prior spouse, if available.
• C. Date of Birth of My Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse:
  • Enter the date of birth of your current spouse’s previous spouse in month/day/year format.
• D. Country of Birth of My Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse:
  • Specify the country where your current spouse’s previous spouse was born.
• E. Country of Citizenship or Nationality of My Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse:
  • Indicate the country of citizenship or nationality of your current spouse’s prior spouse.
• F. My Current Spouse’s Date of Marriage with Prior Spouse:
  • Provide the date of marriage between your current spouse and their previous spouse.
• G. Date My Current Spouse’s Marriage Ended with Prior Spouse:
  • Enter the date when the marriage between your current spouse and their prior spouse ended.
• H. How My Current Spouse’s Marriage Ended with Prior Spouse:
  • Choose the appropriate reason for the dissolution of the marriage.

Question 9: Information about the Applicant’s Prior Marriages

• A. My Prior Spouse’s Legal Name:
  • Enter the legal name (Family Name, Given Name, Middle Name if applicable) of your previous spouse.
• B. My Prior Spouse’s Immigration Status When My Marriage Ended (if known):
  • If available, indicate your prior spouse’s immigration status at the conclusion of the marriage.
• C. My Prior Spouse’s Date of Birth:
  • Provide the date of birth of your previous spouse in month/day/year format.
• D. My Prior Spouse’s Country of Birth:
  • Specify the country where your previous spouse was born.
• E. My Prior Spouse’s Country of Citizenship or Nationality:
  • Indicate the country of citizenship or nationality of your previous spouse.
• F. Date of Marriage with My Prior Spouse:
  • Enter the date when you were married to your previous spouse.
• G. Date Marriage Ended with My Prior Spouse:
  • Specify the date when the marriage with your previous spouse ended.
• H. How Marriage Ended with My Prior Spouse:
  • Select the appropriate reason for the termination of the marriage.

These explanations offer a detailed breakdown of the questions in Part 10 of the N-400 form, outlining the specific information required for both the current spouse’s prior marriages and the applicant’s own previous marital relationships.

III. Sample Persona: A Fictitious Example

Name: Maria Santos

Background Information:
Maria Santos is a 38-year-old individual from the Philippines who has been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for over seven years. She is currently married to John Smith, a U.S. citizen.

Current Spouse’s Prior Marriages:

• A. Legal Name of Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse:
  • Maria’s current spouse, John Smith, was previously married to Jessica Williams.
• B. Immigration Status of Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse:
  • Jessica Williams’ immigration status was that of a U.S. Citizen.
• C. Date of Birth of Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse:
  • Jessica Williams was born on 03/15/1980.
• D. Country of Birth of Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse:
  • Jessica Williams was born in the United States.
• E. Country of Citizenship or Nationality of Current Spouse’s Prior Spouse:
  • Jessica Williams was a U.S. citizen by birth.
• F. Date of Marriage between Current Spouse and Prior Spouse:
  • John Smith and Jessica Williams were married on 06/20/2005.
• G. Date Current Spouse’s Marriage Ended with Prior Spouse:
  • The marriage between John Smith and Jessica Williams ended on 12/5/2012, due to divorce.
• H. How Current Spouse’s Marriage Ended with Prior Spouse:
  • The marriage was dissolved through divorce proceedings.

Applicant’s Prior Marriages:

• A. My Prior Spouse’s Legal Name:
  • Maria Santos was previously married to David Rodriguez.
• B. My Prior Spouse’s Immigration Status When My Marriage Ended:
  • David Rodriguez was a Lawful Permanent Resident at the time of the marriage dissolution.
• C. My Prior Spouse’s Date of Birth:
  • David Rodriguez was born on 01/10/1979.
• D. My Prior Spouse’s Country of Birth:
  • David Rodriguez was born in the Philippines.
• E. My Prior Spouse’s Country of Citizenship or Nationality:
  • David Rodriguez was a Filipino citizen (Philippines).
• F. Date of Marriage with My Prior Spouse:
  • Maria Santos and David Rodriguez were married on 09/08/2002.
• G. Date Marriage Ended with My Prior Spouse:
  • The marriage between Maria Santos and David Rodriguez ended on 04/30/2010, through divorce proceedings.
• H. How Marriage Ended with My Prior Spouse:
  • The marriage was dissolved through divorce proceedings.

This fictitious example of Maria Santos provides a detailed breakdown of information for both current and prior spouses, illustrating how an applicant might complete Part 10 of the N-400 form regarding marital history.

V. Eligibility Timeline for Filing Form N-400

The eligibility for filing Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, depends on an applicant’s residency status:

• Permanent Resident for at Least 5 Years:
  • Individuals who have been lawful permanent residents for at least five years are eligible to file Form N-400.
• Permanent Resident for at Least 3 Years (Married to a U.S. Citizen):
  • Permanent residents married to a U.S. citizen and have been in this status for a minimum of three years are also eligible to apply for naturalization.

Different Filing Timelines:
Clarification on the distinct timelines for eligibility based on residency status, emphasizing the importance of meeting these requirements before initiating the naturalization process.