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N400 Instructions
N400 Instructions
Form N-400
Department of Homeland Security OMB No. 1615-0052
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Expires 03/31/2019
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is an application to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
If your biological or legal adoptive mother or father is a U.S. citizen by birth, or was naturalized before you reached
your 18th birthday, you may already be a U.S. citizen. Before you consider filing this application, please visit the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at www.uscis.gov for more information on this topic and to
review the instructions for Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and Form N-600K, Application for
Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322.
If either of your parents is a United States citizen, complete Part 6. Information About Your Parents as part of this
application. If neither of your parents is a United States citizen, skip Part 6. and complete Part 7. Biographical
Information.
A Guide to Naturalization
To help you understand the naturalization process, USCIS developed A Guide to Naturalization (M-476). This guide
provides information on eligibility requirements and naturalization procedures. If you do not already have a photocopy of
M-476, you can view the guide on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.
You may visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/N-400 for filing tips and additional resources to assist you during the
naturalization process.
You may apply for naturalization when you meet all the requirements to become a U.S. citizen. General eligibility
requirements are the following:
1. You are at least 18 years of age at the time of filing (except active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces);
2. You are a permanent resident of the United States for a required period of time;
3. You have lived within the state or USCIS district where you claim residence for at least 3 months prior to filing;
4. You have demonstrated physical presence within the United States for a required period of time;
5. You have demonstrated continuous residence for a required period of time;
6. You demonstrate good moral character;
7. You demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution;
8. 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
9. You take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States. Some applicants may be eligible for a modified oath.
One of the requirements for naturalization is to take the naturalization test to demonstrate that you are able to read, write,
and speak basic English and that you have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (civics).
General Instructions
USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS website. In order to view, print, or fill out our forms, you should
use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not
have Internet access, you may call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 and ask that we mail
a form to you. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call 1-800-767-1833.
Filing Fee. Each application must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee and biometric services fee (if applicable).
(See the What Is the Filing Fee section of these Instructions.)
Evidence. At the time of filing, you must submit all evidence and supporting documentation listed in the Required
Evidence section of these Instructions.
Biometrics Services Appointment. USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide 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. After USCIS receives your application and ensures it is complete,
we will inform you in writing if you need to attend a biometric services appointment. If an appointment is necessary, the
notice will provide you the location of your local or designated USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) and the date
and time of your appointment or, if you are currently overseas, instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or
USCIS office outside the United States to set up an appointment.
If you are required to provide biometrics, at your appointment you must sign an oath reaffirming that:
1. You provided or authorized all information in the application; and
2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your application; and
3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.
If you fail to attend your biometric services appointment, USCIS may deny your application.
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you
must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during
processing of an application, petition, or request. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to
you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when not required or requested by USCIS, your original documents may be
immediately destroyed upon receipt.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English
translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and that
he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.
Early Filing. An applicant filing under the general naturalization provision (section 316(a) of the INA) may file his or
her application up to 90 days before he or she would first meet the required 5-year period of continuous residence as a
lawful permanent resident (LPR). An applicant filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen under section 319(a) of the INA may
file up to 90 days before meeting the required 3-year period of continuous residence as an LPR. Although an applicant
may file early according to the 90-day early filing provision, the applicant is not eligible for naturalization until he or she
has reached the required 3- or 5-year period of continuous residence as an LPR. 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. For example, an applicant filing under section 319(a) of the INA must meet all other requirements as the
spouse of a U.S. citizen at the time of filing.
Specific Instructions
Item Number 1. Your Current Legal Name. Your current legal name is the name on your birth certificate unless it
changed after birth by a legal action such as a marriage or court order. Do not provide a nickname.
Item Number 2. Your Name Exactly As It Appears on Your Permanent Resident Card (if applicable). Type or
print your name exactly as it appears on your Permanent Resident Card even if it is misspelled or has changed through
marriage, divorce, or other court order since you received your card. Type or print N/A if you do not have a Permanent
Resident Card.
NOTE: USCIS cannot process name change requests for members of the military, or their spouses, who are naturalizing
overseas.
Item Number 5. U.S. Social Security Number (if applicable). Provide your U.S. Social Security number. Type or print
N/A if you do not have one.
Item Number 6. USCIS Online Account Number (if any). If you have previously filed an application, petition, or
request using the USCIS online filing system (previously called USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS)),
provide the USCIS Online Account Number you were issued by the system. You can find your USCIS Online Account
Number by logging in to your account and going to the profile page. If you previously filed certain applications, petitions,
or requests on a paper form via a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may have received a USCIS Online Account Access Notice
issuing you a USCIS Online Account Number. If you received such a notice, your USCIS Online Account Number can be
found at the top of the notice. If you were issued a USCIS Online Account Number, enter it in the space provided. The
USCIS Online Account Number is not the same as an A-Number.
Item Number 7. Gender. Indicate if you are male or female.
Item Number 8. Date of Birth. Always use eight numbers to show your date of birth. Type or print the date in this
order: Month, Day, Year. For example, type or print May 1, 1958, as 05/01/1958. USCIS will reject your Form N-400 if
you do not provide your date of birth.
Item Number 9. Date You Became a Lawful Permanent Resident (if applicable). Provide the official date when your
permanent residence began as shown on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as the Alien Registration Card).
Provide the date in this order: Month, Day, Year. For example, type or print August 9, 1988, as 08/09/1988. USCIS may
reject your application if you are a lawful permanent resident and do not provide the date you became a lawful permanent
resident.
NOTE: You need both your USCIS A-Number and your permanent resident date to file Form N-400. Where applicable,
if you do not have this information, you should schedule an appointment to obtain this information before you file your
Form N-400.
Item Number 10. Country of Birth. Type or print the name of the country in which you were born. Use the name of
the country at the time of your birth, even if the name of the country has changed.
Item Number 11. Country of Citizenship or Nationality. Type or print the name of the country as it currently exists,
where you are currently a citizen or national. If the country no longer exists, type or print the current name of the country
with current authority.
1. If you are stateless, type or print the name of the country, as it currently exists, where you were last a citizen or national.
2. If you are a citizen or national of more than one country, type or print the name of the foreign country that issued your
last passport.
Item Number 12. Do you have a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment that prevents you
from demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of the English language and/or civics requirements for
naturalization? Select Yes if you are requesting an exception to the English language and/or civics tests based on a
physical or developmental disability or mental impairment that prevents you from complying with the English language
and/or civics requirements for naturalization. Submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, as an
attachment to your Form N-400.
If neither one of your parents is a United States citizen, skip this part and go to Part 7.
Citizenship of Parents. Complete Item Numbers 1., 2., and 3. in Part 6. Select No if your mother or father are not
U.S. citizens and proceed to the next Item Number or Part as directed on the form.
If one or both of your parents is a U.S. citizen, select Yes and complete Items A. - E. in Item Number 2. (mothers
citizenship) and Items A. - E. in Item Number 3. (fathers citizenship) in Part 6.
Part 12. Additional Information About You (Person Applying for Naturalization)
Item Numbers 1. - 50. Answer each question by selecting Yes or No, where applicable. If any part of a question
applies to you or has ever applied to you, you must answer Yes. If you answer Yes to any of the questions in Item
Numbers 1. - 44. in this part, include a typed or printed explanation on a separate sheet of paper. You may also provide
evidence to support your answers. If you answer No to any question in Item Numbers 45. - 50., include a typed or
printed explanation on a separate sheet of paper. Your answers, whether Yes or No, will not automatically cause your
application to be denied.
Part 15. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Application, if Other Than
the Applicant
Item Numbers 1. - 8. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your application, if other
than you, the applicant. If the same individual acted as your interpreter and your preparer, that person should complete
both Part 14. and Part 15. If the person who completed this application is associated with a business or organization,
that person should complete the business or organization name and address information. Anyone who helped you
complete this application MUST sign and date the application. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is
not acceptable. If the person who helped you prepare your application is an attorney or accredited representative whose
representation extends beyond preparation of the application, he or she may be obliged to also submit a completed Form
G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, along with your application. USCIS will
reject your Form N-400 if it is not signed by the preparer you used to prepare the questions on the application.
We recommend that you print or save a photocopy of your completed application to review in the future and
for your records.
Required Evidence
Below is a list of documents to bring with you to your Form N-400 interview.
1. Permanent Resident Card.
2. State-Issued Identification. Bring a valid State-issued identification, such as a drivers license.
3. Passports and Travel Documents. Bring valid and expired passports, as well as any travel documents issued by
USCIS.
4. Evidence of Your Current Legal Marital Status. Bring the original of all marriage certificates, divorce or
annulment decrees, death certificates, and other official records to confirm your marital history and your current legal
marital status.
5. Evidence of the Termination of Your Spouses Prior Marriage(s). Bring the original of your current spouses
divorce certificate. If your spouse is widowed, bring the original of his or her former spouses death certificate. If
neither of these are available, bring any other evidence that indicates the termination of your spouses marriage for
consideration.
6. Name Change(s). If you have changed your name at any time, bring the document(s) that legally changed your
name(s), such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, name change petition, or other official record if you ever
changed your name.
7. Other Documents. Depending on the circumstances, you should bring certain documents to your interview. You
may also submit copies of these documents with your application. For example:
A. Spouse of a U.S. Citizen. Bring the following items to your interview if you are applying for naturalization on
the basis of your marriage to a U.S. citizen:
(1) Evidence that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years at the time you file your Form N-400.
Such evidence may include: a birth certificate (if your spouse never lost U.S. citizenship since birth),
Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Form FS-240 Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen
of the United States of America;
(2) Evidence of the termination of all your prior marriages; and
(3) Evidence that you and your spouse have lived in marital union for at least 3 years at the time you file your
Form N-400. Such evidence may include:
(a) Joint bank and credit card statements;
(b) Leases or mortgages;
(c) Birth certificates of children;
(d) Insurance policies; and
(e) Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you and your spouse filed for
the past 3 years (or an IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years).
B. Spouse of a U.S. Citizen Who is Regularly Stationed Abroad. Bring evidence demonstrating your U.S. citizen
spouses qualifying employment abroad if you are filing under section 319(b). Such evidence may include:
(1) The employer name and nature of the employers business;
The filing fee for Form N-400 is $640. A biometric services fee of $85 is also required for applicants under 75 years of age
when filing Form N-400 regardless of where the applicant lives and whether the applicant is filing from within the United
States or abroad.
NOTE: No filing fee is required for military applicants filing under section 328 or 329 of the INA.
Rejected Applications
USCIS will reject your Form N-400 if you submit the incorrect fee or an incorrect payment method. USCIS also
will reject your Form N-400 if you include payment for more than what you are required to pay.
In the event USCIS rejects your application, we will return any filing fees with your application.
Use the following guidelines when you are paying for your application. You must:
1. Pay for each application using a single payment method (check, money order, or credit card) and not a combination of
methods; and
2. Use the same payment method for all applications that are mailed together.
NOTE: You must submit all fees in the exact amounts. The filing fee and biometric services fee are not refundable,
regardless of any action USCIS takes on this application. DO NOT MAIL CASH.
Fee Reduction
You may be eligible for a fee reduction. To qualify for the reduced fee, your household income must be greater than 150
percent and not more than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, at the time of filing, based on your household
size. The Federal Poverty Guidelines are established by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
annually. To obtain information on the current Federal Poverty Guidelines, visit our website at www.uscis.gov/I-942P
and review Form I-942P, Income Guidelines for Reduced Fees.
Fee Waiver
You may be eligible for a fee waiver under 8 CFR 103.7(c). If you believe you are eligible for a fee waiver, complete
Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver (or a written request) and submit it and any required evidence of your inability to pay
the filing fee with this application. You can review the fee waiver guidance at www.uscis.gov/feewaiver.
Where To File?
See our website at www.uscis.gov/N-400 or call our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 for the most
current information about where to file this application. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call 1-800-767-1833.
Address Change
An applicant, petitioner, or requester who is not a U.S. citizen must notify USCIS of his or her new address within 10 days
of moving from his or her previous residence. For information on filing a change of address, go to the USCIS website at
www.uscis.gov/addresschange or contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. For TTY
(deaf or hard of hearing) call 1-800-767-1833.
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to USCIS Lockbox facilities because these facilities do not process
change of address requests.
Processing Information
Any Form N-400 that is not signed or accompanied by the correct filing fee and biometric services fee will be
rejected. Any application that is not completed in accordance with these Instructions, is missing pages, or
otherwise not executed in its entirety, or is not accompanied by the required initial evidence, may also be rejected.
If your Form N-400 is rejected, the application and any fees will be returned to you and you will be notified why
the application is considered deficient. You may correct the deficiency and resubmit Form N-400. An application is
not considered properly filed until accepted by USCIS.
Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your application, we will check it for completeness. If you do not completely
fill out this application, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and USCIS may reject or deny your application.
Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your application.
At the time of any interview or other appearance at a USCIS office, we may require that you provide your fingerprints,
photograph, and/or signature to verify your identity and/or update background and security checks.
Decision. The decision on Form N-400 involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the
immigration benefit you are seeking. USCIS will notify you of the decision in writing.
Attorney or Representative
You may be represented, at no expense to the U.S. Government, by an attorney or other duly accredited representative.
Your attorney or representative must submit a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative,
with your Form N-400. Your attorney or representative may also submit the Form G-28 at the time of your interview.
Form G-28 can be obtained by visiting the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/G-28, calling the USCIS Forms Request
Line at 1-800-870-3676, or by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or
hard of hearing) call 1-800-767-1833.
To ensure you are using the latest version of this application, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can
obtain the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information. If you do not have Internet access, you may order
USCIS forms by calling the Forms Request Line at 1-800-870-3676. You may also obtain forms and information by calling
the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call 1-800-767-1833.
Instead of waiting in line for assistance at your local USCIS office, you can schedule an appointment online at
www.uscis.gov. Select Schedule an appointment online and follow the screen prompts to set up your appointment.
Once you finish scheduling an appointment, the system will generate an appointment notice for you.
Penalties
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with this Form N-400, USCIS
can deny your Form N-400 and may deny any other immigration benefit. In addition, you may face criminal prosecution
and penalties provided by law.
By signing this application, you have stated under penalty of perjury (28 U.S.C. section 1746) that all information and
documentation submitted with this application is complete, true, and correct. You also authorize the release of any
information from your records that USCIS may need to determine your eligibility for the immigration benefit you are
seeking and consent to USCIS verifying such information.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the authority to verify any information you submit to establish
eligibility for the immigration benefit you are seeking at any time. USCIS legal authority to verify this information is in
8 U.S.C. sections 1103, 1155, and 1184; and 8 CFR Parts 103, 204, 205, 214, 316, and 336. To ensure compliance with
applicable laws and authorities, USCIS may verify information before or after your case is decided.
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this application, and the associated evidence, is collected under the
Immigration and Nationality Act section 334 [8 U.S.C. 1445].
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this application is to determine if you have
established eligibility for naturalization. USCIS requests the applicant to provide their Social Security number (SSN)
to facilitate and expedite the adjudication of the applicants request. The SSN is used to establish and corroborate the
applicants identity to complete a sufficient background check. DHS will use the information you provide to grant or deny
the immigration benefit you are seeking.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information,
including the SSN, and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision in your case or result in denial of your
application.
ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application with other Federal, state, local,
and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the
associated published system of records notices [DHS-USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System and DHS-USCIS-001
- Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records] which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS
may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public
reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 9 hours and 17 minutes per response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the application, preparing
statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the application. The collection of biometrics is estimated
to require 1 hour and 10 minutes. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Regulatory
Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 20 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140; OMB
No. 1615-0052. Do not mail your completed Form N-400 to this address.