• A-Number: Enter the A-number from your green card.
• Citizenship Eligibility: Check the appropriate box (most choose Box A for 5 years of permanent residence; spouses of U.S. citizens check Box B or C; military service members check Box D).Check the box that applies to your eligibility:
  • Lawful Permanent Resident for at least 5 years.
  • Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (3 years as LPR).
  • VAWA self-petitioner.
  • Spouse of a U.S. Citizen employed abroad.
  • Military service during hostilities.
  • At least 1 year of honorable military service.

• Question 1: Current Legal Name Enter your full name as it appears on your birth certificate or recent civil document, even if it’s different from your green card. Include legal documents for any name changes.Provide your current legal name as it appears on your birth certificate unless changed by marriage, divorce, or court order. Ensure consistency with names used in previous immigration records.
• Question 2: Alternate Names Provide alternate names from past marriages, common names or misspelled names on official documents. If unsure, include the nickname.List all names you have ever used, including maiden names, aliases, and nickname
• Question 3: Name Change (Optional) If you want to change your name, enter your new name. This requires a judicial swearing-in ceremony which may delay your citizenship process.
  • What You Should Know:
    • Name Change at Naturalization Ceremony: You can request a name change during your naturalization process. The change will only take effect once the court approves it at your naturalization ceremony.
    • When Not to Request a Name Change: If your legal name has already changed due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, you don’t need to request it here.
    • Restrictions:
      • Military Members and Spouses: If you are applying for naturalization while stationed outside the U.S., name change requests cannot be processed.
    • Action Steps:
      • Select “Yes” if you want to change your name and complete the required fields.
    • Disability Modifications
      • Request accommodations by following instructions on your appointment notice or visiting www.uscis.gov/accommodationsinfo.
      • Examples include:
        • Sign language interpreters.
        • Extended time during interviews.
• Question 4: USCIS Online Account Number (OAN). If none, write “N/A”.
  • What Is an OAN?
    • Eligibility: You have an OAN if you filed a form with a receipt number starting with “IOE.”
    • Where to Find It:
      • If you filed online: Check your account profile.
      • If you mailed your form: Look at the Account Access Notice.
  • Important Note:
    • If your receipt number doesn’t start with “IOE,” you don’t have an OAN.
    • OAN vs. A-Number: These are different. Make sure not to confuse them.
• Question 5: Gender Choose “male”, “female” or “another gender identity” (X).Indicate your gender identity:
  • M: Male
  • F: Female
  • X: Another gender identity
  • This choice will be reflected on your secure documents upon approval.
• Question 6: Date of Birth Enter your date of birth.
  • How to Complete:
    • Enter your date of birth in this format: MM/DD/YYYY.
    • Include any other dates of birth you have used legally or unofficially. Use Part 14 (Additional Information) for these.
  • Critical Reminder:
    • Your form will be rejected if you don’t provide your date of birth.
• Question 7: Permanent Resident Date Find this date on your green card.
  • What to Include:
    • Enter the exact date (MM/DD/YYYY) shown on your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
  • Why It Matters:
    • This date proves your lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.
    • Missing or incorrect information may result in delays or rejection.
  • Proving LPR Status:
    • What You Need:
      • A-Number (USCIS Number)
      • Date of permanent residence
• Question 8: Country of Birth Enter the official name of the country at the time of your birth.Provide the name of the country as it was at the time of your birth, even if the country’s name has since changed.
• Question 9: Country of Citizenship or Nationality. Enter the name of your current country of citizenship or nationality.
  • For stateless individuals:
    • Enter the name of the country where you were last a citizen or national.
    • If you hold multiple citizenships, list the country that issued your most recent passport.
• Question 10: Parents’ U.S. Citizenship If your parents transmitted U.S. citizenship to you, you don’t need to file Form N-400.
• Question 11: Disabilities If you have any physical or mental disabilities and are requesting a waiver for the English and civics tests, you’ll need to submit USCIS Form N-648 from a doctor.
  • Action Steps:
    • Answer “Yes” to Item 11 if requesting an exception.
    • Submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.
• Question 12: Social Security Update Consent to share information with the SSA, but be prepared to follow up if needed. You can request USCIS to update your Social Security status after naturalization.
  • How to Complete:
    • Answer “Yes” to:
      • Item 12.a. if you need an original or replacement Social Security card.
      • Item 12.c. to allow USCIS to share your information with the SSA.
    • Provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in Item 12.b.
  • Additional Notes:
    • If you request a name change, USCIS will send the updated name to the SSA.
    • An SSN is required to work legally in the U.S.

• Ethnicity:
  • Hispanic or Latino:
  • Race:
  • American Indian or Alaska Native:
  • Asian:
    • Includes people originating from the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. Examples:
      • Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam.
  • Black or African American:
    • Includes individuals with origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander:
    • Includes people originating from Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.
  • White:
    • Includes individuals with origins in Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
  • Height:
  • Weight:
    • Enter weight in pounds.
    • If unsure, or if under 30 pounds or over 699 pounds, enter “000.” Do not use kilograms.
  • Eye Color:
    • Choose the color that best describes your eyes from the provided list.
  • Hair Color:
    • Choose the color that best describes your hair from the provided list.
  • Personal Details:
    • Provide details to help USCIS conduct background checks. Be truthful about any criminal history to avoid jeopardizing your application.

• Current and Previous Addresses: List all addresses for the past 5 years to prove continuous residence. If your home address isn’t secure, provide a different mailing address.
• Why This Matters:
  • The information you provide here helps USCIS determine if you meet the requirements for:
    • Continuous residence.
    • Physical presence.
    • Residency in a USCIS district or U.S. state for 3 months.

How to Complete:

• Physical Addresses:
  • List all places you have lived during the required period based on your eligibility:
    • General applicants: Last 5 years.
    • Spouse of a U.S. citizen: Last 3 years.
    • VAWA applicants: Last 3 years.
    • Military service (hostilities): Current location only.
    • Other applicants: Last 5 years.
  • If homeless:
    • Indicate “homeless” in the address field but include the city, state, ZIP code, and country.
    • Use Form G-1145 for notification by text or email.
  • Victims of domestic violence:
    • You may use only the city and state of a shelter or safe house.
    • Confidential addresses will not be disclosed.
• Mailing Address:
  • Provide your current mailing address if different from your physical address.
  • If in a shelter or using a “safe address,” you may provide:
    • A P.O. box.
    • The address of a trusted friend, attorney, or community organization.
  • Military applicants applying under INA section 319(b) must provide a U.S. mailing address for biometric appointments.

• Marriage Details: Include all marriages, even customary and religious ones. Explain if your spouse doesn’t live with you.
• Spouse’s Citizenship: Provide information about your spouse’s citizenship or permanent residence.
• Previous Marriages: List your and your spouse’s previous marriages to rule out bigamy and confirm eligibility.
• Marital Status:
  • Indicate your current marital status by selecting the appropriate box:
    • Single, married, divorced, widowed, or annulled.
• For Military Spouses:
  • If your spouse is a member of the U.S. armed forces:
    • Select “Yes” and provide documentation, including:
      1. Proof you are authorized to accompany them under their official orders.
      2. Evidence of their military service.
• Marriage History:
  • Previous Marriages:
  • Current Spouse Information:
    • Provide their:
      • Legal name.
      • Date of birth.
      • Date of marriage.
      • Physical address (if different from yours).
  • Spouse’s Citizenship:

Eligibility Based on Marriage to a U.S. Citizen:

• To qualify for naturalization, you must meet the following:
  1. Be legally married to a U.S. citizen who resides in the U.S.
  2. Maintain the marriage until the Oath of Allegiance.
  3. Have lived in marital union for at least 3 years.
  4. Your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years.
  5. You must have been a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least 3 years.

Required Evidence:

1. Proof of Spouse’s Citizenship:
   • Examples:
     • U.S. birth certificate.
     • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.
     • U.S. passport (biographical page).
     • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240).
2. Marriage Documentation:
   • Provide your marriage certificate.
   • Include divorce decrees, annulments, or death certificates for prior marriages (if applicable).
3. Evidence of Marital Union:
   • Examples:
     • Joint bank or credit card statements.
     • Shared leases or mortgages.
     • Birth or adoption certificates of children.
     • Joint insurance policies.
     • IRS tax transcripts for the past 3 years.

• List All Children: Include every child, regardless of residency status, birth circumstances, or custody arrangements. Omitting a child may raise suspicion of fraud.

• Employment and Education History: List your work and education for the past 5 years, including periods of unemployment, self-employment, disability, retirement, or homemaking.
• Residency and Employment HistoryApplicants must detail their residency and employment:
  • VAWA Applicants:
    • Provide a three-year history.
  • Spouses of U.S. Citizens Abroad:
    • Provide a three-year history unless filing under military service provisions.

• Travel History: Provide details of all trips outside the U.S. to prove you meet the physical presence requirement. Estimate dates if necessary and explain them in Part 14.
• The information required about time spent abroad depends on your eligibility basis:
  • General Provision (Item 1.A.): List all trips outside the U.S. in the last five years.
  • Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (Item 1.B.): List trips taken in the last three years.
  • VAWA Applicants (Item 1.C.): List trips taken in the last three years.
  • Spouses of Citizens Employed Abroad (Item 1.D.): No need to list trips outside the U.S.
  • Military Service in Hostilities (Item 1.E.): No need to list trips outside the U.S.
  • Honorable Military Service (Item 1.F.): Include all trips outside the U.S. in the last five years.
  • Other Reasons (Item 1.G.): Include all trips outside the U.S. in the last five years.

• Criminal and Moral History: Answer questions about your eligibility, moral character, and criminal history honestly. Consult an attorney if you have doubts.

• Fee Reduction or Waiver: If eligible, request a reduced fee. File by mail if requesting a full fee waiver and include Form I-912.

• Contact Details: Provide your phone numbers and email. Confirm the accuracy of your information. If you’re disabled, a legal guardian can sign for you.

• Interpreter Details: Fill this out if you’re requesting an English waiver. Otherwise, using an interpreter might raise concerns about your English proficiency.

• Preparer Information: If someone helped you complete the form, they must sign here.

• Supplementary Information: Use this space for any additional information that doesn’t fit elsewhere on the form.

• Leave Blank: Do not fill this out until your USCIS interview.

• Leave Blank: This section will be completed during your interview with a USCIS officer.

Disability Accommodations: Contact USCIS directly for any needed disability accommodations instead of requesting them on Form N-400.

• Requirement: If you hold a hereditary title or order of nobility from a foreign country, U.S. law requires you to renounce it during your naturalization ceremony.
• Form N-400: In Item 30.b., confirm your willingness to renounce any such title to meet this requirement.

Key Topics on Form N-400

• Questions 31-37: These sections test your understanding of the U.S. Constitution, government structure, and your commitment to the Oath of Allegiance.

Oath of Allegiance

• Final Step: To become a U.S. citizen, you must take the Oath of Allegiance, which signifies your loyalty to the United States.
• Modified Oaths: You may request adjustments to the Oath based on religious or conscientious objections.
  • Objection to Bearing Arms: If you object to bearing arms or performing noncombatant service due to religious beliefs, you must provide evidence supporting your request.
  • Affirmation Option: Replace “solemnly swear” with “solemnly affirm” and omit “so help me God” without requiring documentation.
  • Waivers: Individuals unable to understand or communicate the Oath due to physical, developmental, or mental impairments may be eligible for a waiver.

For further details, see the USCIS Policy Manual Volume 12.

Eligibility

• Income Threshold: To qualify, your household income must not exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Check the current guidelines for details.
• Head of Household: This is typically the person who filed the most recent federal tax return on which you were listed as a dependent.

Required Evidence

Provide proof of income through one or more of the following:

1. Federal Tax Returns: Include a copy of each household member’s most recent federal tax return.
2. Income Documentation: If tax returns don’t reflect current income, submit pay stubs, W-2 forms, or employer statements.
3. Students: If you are a full-time student and not dependent on your parents, provide proof of your income or documentation showing you are not required to file taxes.

Part 1: Applicant’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

• Your Responsibilities: Sign and date the application, and provide your phone number and email address.
• Disabilities: If you cannot complete the process due to a physical, developmental, or mental impairment, a legal guardian or designated representative may sign on your behalf.

Part 2: Interpreter’s Information

• When Needed: If someone helps you understand the form in your language, they must complete this section and provide their contact information and signature.

Part 3: Preparer’s Information

• Third-Party Assistance: If someone else completed the application for you, they must fill out this section. If they also served as your interpreter, they need to complete both Parts 12 and 13.

Part 4: Additional Information

• Extra Details: Use this section to provide additional information that didn’t fit in earlier sections.

Part 1: Signature at Interview

• Leave Blank: You will sign this section during your interview with the USCIS officer.

Part 2: Oath of Allegiance

• Final Steps: This section will also be completed during the interview process. Your signature here signifies your readiness to take the Oath, which will be administered at a naturalization ceremony.

Address Changes

• Notify USCIS promptly: If you move, you must report your new address within 10 days.
• How to update your address:
  • Use the USCIS online tool at www.uscis.gov/addresschange.
  • Call the USCIS Contact Center for assistance.
• Important Note: Do not send address change requests to the USCIS Lockbox.

Military Applicants

• Special Assistance: Active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who relocate or deploy after filing Form N-400 should call the Military Help Line at 877-247-4645 for guidance.

• Severe Consequences: If you knowingly falsify information or submit false documents, USCIS will deny your application and potentially bar you from other immigration benefits.
• Criminal Penalties: Such actions may lead to legal prosecution and significant penalties under U.S. law.