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N-400, Application For Naturalization
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is an application to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Naturalization is the process you take to voluntarily become a U.S. citizen if you were born outside of
the United States.
Before You Start Your Application
Eligibility
You will need to select your basis for eligibility a er you start your application. There is
more information about specific eligibility requirements a er the general eligibility
requirements.
In general, you may apply for naturalization when you meet all the requirements to
become a U.S. citizen. The following general eligibility requirements apply to most
naturalization applicants:
You are at least 18 years of age when you file;
You have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years;
You have demonstrated continuous residence in the United States for at least 5 years;
You have lived in the U.S. state or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
district where you claim residence for at least 3 months before filing;
You have demonstrated physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months
(913 days);
You demonstrate good moral character;
You demonstrate an attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution;
You demonstrate a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (also known as
“civics”) as well as an ability to read, write, speak, and understand basic English; and
You are willing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, and you are well
disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.
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Lawful Admission for Permanent Residence
Eligibility Based on Marriage to a U.S. Citizen
Eligibility for the Spouse, Former Spouse, or Child of a U.S. Citizen
under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Eligibility for the Spouse of a U.S. Citizen Working for a Qualified
Employer Outside the United States
Eligibility for the Spouse of a Member of the U.S. Armed Forces
Eligibility for Current and Former Members of the U.S. Armed
Forces
Physical Presence Requirements
Good Moral Character
Naturalization Testing and Exceptions
Oath of Allegiance
Early Filing
If you are applying based on lawful permanent residence for 5 years, you may generally
file your application up to 90 days before meeting the required 5-year period of
continuous residence as a lawful permanent resident. If you are applying based on your
marriage to a U.S. citizen, you may generally file up to 90 days before meeting the
required 3-year period of continuous residence as a lawful permanent resident.
However, applicants filing up to 90 days before meeting the continuous residence
requirement must still meet all other requirements for naturalization at the time of filing
Form N-400. If these requirements are not met at the 90-day period, the applicant must
wait to file until the requirement is met, otherwise, the application will be rejected or
denied. For example:
If you are applying under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 319(a) as the
spouse of a U.S. citizen, you must have been married to a U.S. citizen for at least 3
years at the time you file Form N-400; or
If you request an exception to the English testing requirements, you must meet the
requirements for the exception (age and years as a lawful permanent resident) when
you file Form N-400.
Use the USCIS Early Filing Calculator to ensure that you file your Form N-400 no earlier
than 90 days before you complete the required period.
Note: We will reject your application if you submit it too early.
Fee
We will automatically calculate the cost for you before you submit your request. For
specific information about fees applicable to this form, see Form G-1055.
Note: Current and former members of the U.S. armed forces filing under INA section 328
or 329 are not required to pay the filing fee or the biometric services fee.
Fee reduction: If you are requesting a fee reduction, you cannot file online. You must file
a paper version of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Fee waiver: If you are requesting a fee waiver, you cannot file online. You must file a
paper version of both the Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, and Form N-400,
Application for Naturalization. You can review the fee waiver guidance at www.uscis.gov/
feewaiver.
Refund policy: USCIS does not refund fees, regardless of any action we take on your
application, petition or request, or how long USCIS takes to reach a decision. By
continuing this transaction, you acknowledge that you must submit fees in the exact
amount and that you are paying the fees for a government service.
Please refer to the instructions for the form(s) you are filing for additional information or
you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing)
800-767-1833.
Filing online
Submitting your application online is the same as mailing in a completed paper form.
They both gather the same information and cost the same.
Documents you may need
We will automatically determine which documents you need to provide us as you fill out
your application. At the time of filing, you must submit all evidence and supporting
documentation listed.
The other documents you need will depend on the information you provide in the
application, such as your personal history, family, and circumstances.
Biometric services appointment
USCIS may require you to appear for an interview and provide biometrics (fingerprints,
photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional
information, and conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal
history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), before making a
decision on your application or petition. If we determine that a biometric services
appointment is necessary, we will send you an appointment notice with the date, time,
and location of your appointment. If you are currently overseas, your notice will instruct
you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office outside the United States
to set up an appointment.
At your biometrics appointment, you must sign an oath reaffirming that:
You provided or authorized all information in the application;
You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted
with, the application; and
All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.
If you do not attend your biometric services appointment, we may deny your application.
A er You Submit Your Application
Track your case online
A er you submit your form, you can track its status through your USCIS account. Sign
into your account o en to check your case status and read any important messages from
USCIS.
Respond to requests for information
If we need more information from you, we will send you a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a
Request for Information (RFI). You can respond to our request and upload your
documents through your USCIS account.
Provide your biometrics
We will contact you to schedule an appointment at an Application Support Center near
you. At the appointment, we will get your fingerprints, photograph, and signature.
Attend the interview
A er your biometrics appointment, we will schedule your interview at a local USCIS field
office (unless you qualify for a special accommodation). At the interview, you will answer
questions about your application and take the civics and English tests as required.
Take the Oath of Allegiance
Once your application is approved, you will be ready to take the Oath of Allegiance. At
your naturalization ceremony, you will return your Permanent Resident Card (Green
Card), answer questions about your activity since the interview, take the Oath of
Allegiance, and get your Certificate of Naturalization.
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| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Modified | 2024-01-26 |
| File Created | 2024-01-26 |