Introduction: Your Roadmap to U.S. Citizenship
Embarking on the journey to U.S. citizenship is deeply personal—a dream shaped by hope and hard work, and fueled by the desire to belong. Completing Form N-400 is the crucial step that transforms those dreams into reality. Yet the process can seem daunting, and one small mistake can delay or jeopardize your future. Delays could mean months of waiting, missed opportunities for jobs or travel, and prolonged uncertainty for you and your family.
We understand the pride, the anxieties, and the excitement that accompany your application. That’s why we’ve created this guide—not just to give you instructions, but to walk beside you through every detail. Our goal is to empower you to complete Form N-400 correctly and confidently, removing the guesswork and the worry.
With clear, step-by-step guidance, insider tips, and encouragement at each stage, we’ll help ensure your application is error-free and positioned for success. Your story matters, and your path to citizenship deserves more than just a form—it deserves support, respect, and expertise.
Take charge of your future today. Let’s make your application stand out and open the door to all the opportunities that U.S. citizenship brings.
Understanding Form N-400: What You Need to Know
Form N-400, officially called the “Application for Naturalization,” is your key to beginning the journey toward becoming a U.S. citizen. If you are a green card holder meeting specific eligibility criteria, this form is the first step in officially applying for naturalization through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). See our guide on “U.S. Citizenship Eligibility” to learn the full requirements, exceptions, and steps you must meet before applying for naturalization.
Completing the N-400 accurately is essential, because it collects all the details USCIS needs to decide if you meet every requirement for citizenship. Mistakes or missing information can cause delays, uncertainty, or even setbacks—so giving it your careful attention is crucial.
When you file Form N-400, you’ll need to provide information about:
- Your personal details and immigration background
- Your residency and employment history
- Trips taken outside the United States
- Your family members
- Your moral character and legal history
After you submit the form, USCIS will schedule you for biometrics (fingerprinting), and later, a naturalization interview, civics test and oath ceremony.
It’s important to use the most recent version of the form and carefully follow instructions. You can file online or by mail, and must attach necessary documents and fees. Done right, filing Form N-400 is the first real step in embracing your future as a U.S. citizen—and enjoying all the benefits that citizenship brings.
Every detail you provide brings you closer to the oath ceremony, where your journey becomes official. Filing correctly and without delay means fewer setbacks, faster approval, and peace of mind for you and your family. The sooner you file correctly, the sooner you can take the oath and proudly call yourself a U.S. citizen.
Before starting your naturalization journey, it’s essential to confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements for U.S. citizenship.
Eligibility Requirements for Naturalization
It is necessary to fulfill specific eligibility requirements to become a U.S. citizen. While the requirements can vary slightly based on your individual situation, the most common eligibility factors include:
- Being at least 18 years old at the time of application
- Having been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 5 years, or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen
- Demonstrating continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S. for the required period (usually 3-5 years)
- Showing good moral character and attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution
- Being able to read, write, and speak basic English
- Passing a civics test covering U.S. history and government
- Registering for Selective Service if you are a male between 18 and 25
These requirements form the foundation of your naturalization application. If you want a detailed understanding of each factor and any exceptions that may apply, please refer to our dedicated guide on eligibility requirements for naturalization.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Completing Form N-400
Completing Form N-400 correctly is crucial to avoid delays or denials in your naturalization process. This form has 16 parts, each gathering specific information USCIS needs to determine your eligibility for U.S. citizenship. Below is a simplified guide to help you navigate the form confidently and accurately.
Part 1: Information about your eligibility
This section identifies the reason you qualify to apply for U.S. citizenship. There are six categories under which you can apply for U.S. citizenship. Choose the one that best fits your situation, such as:
- General Applicant (5 years Lawful Permanent Residents).
- Spouse of U.S. citizen (3 years Lawful Permanent Residents).
- VAWA (LPR status as the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen).
- Spouse of U.S. Citizen in Qualified Employment Outside the United States.
- Military Service during Period of Hostilities.
- At Least One Year of Honorable Military Service at Any Time.
Part 2: Information about you
This section is straightforward—it covers your personal details so USCIS can match your application with its records.
Current Legal Name
- Enter your full legal name as shown on your birth certificate, or as changed by marriage, divorce, or court order.
- Submit proof of name changes (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
- Do not use nicknames or shortened versions.
Other Names Used
- List all names you have ever used: maiden names, aliases, nicknames, alternate spellings, or names used in immigration, criminal, or legal records.
- If a government record shows a name you never used, explain in Part 14, Additional Information.
Name Change (Optional)
- You may request a legal name change during naturalization if judicial oath ceremonies are available in your district.
- Not available for military applicants or their spouses naturalizing overseas.
- The name change becomes official only when the court grants naturalization.
USCIS Online Account Number (OAN)
- Enter your OAN if you have one (found on receipts beginning with “IOE” or on your Account Access Notice).
- If none, write “N/A.”
Sex / Gender
- Select Male, Female, or X (Another Gender Identity) as shown on Form N-400.
- No supporting evidence is required, and it does not need to match prior documents.
- You may later update your Certificate of Naturalization if needed.
Date of Birth
- Write in MM/DD/YYYY format.
- If you have ever used another date of birth, list it in Part 14.
Date Became a Lawful Permanent Resident
- Enter the official date from your Green Card.
- This confirms you meet the residency requirement for naturalization.
Country of Birth
- Enter the country name at the time of your birth, even if it has since changed (example: Yugoslavia).
Country of Citizenship or Nationality
- Enter your current country of citizenship or nationality (using today’s name).
- If stateless, list the last country where you held citizenship.
- If you have multiple nationalities, list the one from your most recent passport here and add others in Part 14.
Parents’ Citizenship
- Indicate if either parent was a U.S. citizen before you turned 18.
- If yes, you may already be a citizen and not need to naturalize—seek guidance before filing.
Disability Exceptions to Testing
- Select “Yes” if applying for an exemption from the English or civics tests due to a qualifying disability.
- Submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions with your application.
Social Security Card / SSA Notification
- You may request USCIS to share your information with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to:
- Issue an original or replacement SSN card.
- Update your citizenship status after you take the Oath of Allegiance.
- To do this:
- Answer “Yes” to Items 12.a and 12.c.
- Provide your SSN in 12.b if requesting a replacement card.
- USCIS will also update SSA if you request a name change.
- Use only your true SSN—never provide false or borrowed numbers.
Part 3. Biographic Information
In this section, you provide details about your ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye color, and hair color. Supplying this information may help reduce time at your USCIS biometrics appointment.
- Ethnicity and Race: Select the exact categories that best describe you (check the below table)
- Height: Enter in feet and inches only (e.g., 5 ft. 09 in.).
- Weight: Enter in pounds. If unknown or outside 30–699 lbs., enter “000.”
- Eye Color: Select the option that matches your eyes.
- Hair Color: Select the option that matches your hair.
Categories and Definitions for Ethnicity and Race
| Category | Definition |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | Person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin (regardless of race). Note: Only listed under Ethnicity. |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | Person with origins in the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. |
| Asian | Person with origins in the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent (e.g., China, India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam). |
| Black or African American | Person with origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | Person with origins in the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. |
| White | Person with origins in the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. |
Part 4. Information About Your Residence
Physical Address: Provide your current physical address so USCIS can schedule biometrics and interviews correctly. If homeless, write “homeless” but include your city, state, and ZIP (or province/country if abroad). Victims of domestic violence in shelters/safe houses may list only city and state.
Mailing Address: If different from your physical address, provide a complete mailing address where you can reliably receive notices. If unsafe to use your home, you may use a P.O. Box, friend, attorney, or organization (“safe address”).
Applicants Abroad (INA 319(b)): If living outside the U.S. but requesting biometrics here, provide a U.S. mailing address so USCIS can notify you of the appointment.
Residence History based on eligibility category
| Eligibility Category | Residence History |
|---|---|
| Filing as green card holder | List every location where you have lived in the last 5 years |
| Filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen | List every location where you have lived in the last 3 years |
| Filing as spouse, former spouse, or child of U.S. citizen under VAWA | List every location where you have lived in the last 3 years |
| Filing as spouse of a U.S. citizen in qualified employment abroad | List only your current residence |
| Filing as military service during hostilities | List only your current residence |
| Filing as honorable military service (at least 1 year anytime) | List every location where you have lived in the last 5 years |
| Filing as other reasons (not listed above) | List every location where you have lived in the last 5 years |
Part 5. Information About Your Marital History
You must report all marriages—including your current marriage, any previous marriages, annulled marriages, civil, customary, or religious marriages, whether or not they were registered with a government. If you married the same person more than once, count each marriage separately.
- Your Marriages: Provide the total number of times you have been married. List your current spouse’s full legal name, date of birth, date of marriage, and whether your spouse lives at the same address as you. Indicate when your spouse became a U.S. citizen (if applicable).
- Your Spouse’s Marriages: Report all of your spouse’s marriages (past and present), including those in the U.S. or abroad, whether annulled, civil, or religious.
- Employment Information (if applicable): If you are applying as the spouse of a U.S. citizen working abroad in qualified employment, provide your current spouse’s employer or company details.
Part 6. Information About Your Children
In this section, you must list the total number of children you have under the age of 18. Be sure to include:
- Children born in the United States or abroad
- Children living with you or living elsewhere
- Current stepchildren
- Legally adopted children
- Missing children
- Children born outside of marriage, civil marriage, or customary/religious marriage
USCIS requires you to count all children under 18, no matter their living situation or how they were born.
Part 7. Information About Your Employment and Schools You Attended
In this section you must provide more information about the
- Continuous residence and physical presence.
- List all the places where you worked, or attended school, full-time or part-time (Check the below table)
Work or School History Requirements
| Eligibility Category | Time Period to List Work/School |
|---|---|
| Filing as green card holder | Last 5 years |
| Filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen | Last 3 years |
| Filing as spouse, former spouse, or child of U.S. citizen under VAWA | Last 3 years |
| Filing as spouse of a U.S. citizen in qualified employment abroad | Last 3 years |
| Filing as military service during hostilities | Last 1 year |
| Filing as honorable military service (at least 1 year anytime) | Last 5 years |
| Filing as other reasons (not listed above) | Last 5 years |
Part 8. Time Outside the United States
In this section you must provide more information about the
- Continuous residence & physical presence, and 3-month residency in a USCIS district or state.
- List all the trips that you have taken place (Check the below table)
Trip Reporting Requirements
| Eligibility Category | Trips Outside the U.S. to Report |
|---|---|
| Filing as green card holder | List all trips taken in the last 5 years |
| Filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen | List all trips taken in the last 3 years |
| Filing as spouse, former spouse, or child of U.S. citizen under VAWA | List all trips taken in the last 3 years |
| Filing as spouse of a U.S. citizen in qualified employment abroad | No trips required |
| Filing as military service during hostilities | No trips required |
| Filing as honorable military service (at least 1 year anytime) | List all trips taken in the last 5 years |
| Filing as other reasons (not listed above) | List all trips taken in the last 5 years |
Part 9. Additional Information About You
In this section, you must answer questions about your background, including:
- Memberships: If you’ve ever been part of organizations, associations, foundations, or parties in the U.S. or abroad.
- Military/Police: Whether you’ve served in the military, paramilitary, police, self-defense, or vigilante groups.
- Weapons & Training: Any experience with weapons, military training, or combat.
- Legal Issues: If you’ve ever been arrested, cited, detained, charged, convicted, or imprisoned.
- Immigration Violations: Any false information given to U.S. officials, misuse of visas/green cards, or removal proceedings.
- Security & Terrorism: Involvement in terrorist activities, genocide, torture, persecution, or crimes against humanity.
- Other Issues: Participation in totalitarian parties (Communist, Nazi, etc.), forced labor, or withholding religious freedom.
- Taxes & Support: Whether you owe taxes or failed to support dependents.
- Oath of Allegiance: Questions about willingness to bear arms, perform noncombat service, or work of national importance if required.
Part 10. Request for a Fee Reduction
You may qualify for a reduced filing fee if your household income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size, as set each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Explore our detailed guide on how to qualify for the USCIS reduced fee.
Part 11. Applicant’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature
Provide your phone numbers, email, and signature. If you cannot sign due to a disability, a legal guardian, surrogate, or designated representative may sign for you. Stamped or typed signatures are not accepted.
Part 12. Interpreter’s Information
If an interpreter helped you understand the form, they must provide their contact details, sign, and date the application.
Part 13. Preparer’s Information
If someone other than you completed the application, they must sign here. If the same person was both interpreter and preparer, they must complete both sections. No stamped or typed signatures allowed.
Part 14. Additional Information
Use this section for extra details that did not fit elsewhere on the form.
Part 15. Signature at Interview
Leave blank. You will sign this at your USCIS interview.
Part 16. Oath of Allegiance
Leave blank. You will complete this part at the naturalization ceremony if your application is approved.
N-400 Filing Checklist: Before & After Submission
Filing Form N-400 is a big step, and small mistakes can cause delays. Use this checklist as a guide to make sure you’re prepared before you file—and to stay on track after submission.
Before Filing
- Confirm your eligibility (green card duration, continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, selective service, etc.).
- Collect personal information: addresses for the past 5 years, employment history, trips outside the U.S., family details, children’s info.
- Gather supporting documents:
- Green card (front and back copy)
- State ID or driver’s license copy
- Marriage/divorce certificates (if applicable)
- Court documents (if you had arrests, charges, or citations)
- Selective Service proof (for male applicants ages 18–26 at time of residency)
- Tax returns or IRS transcripts
- Double-check English language and civics test exemptions (age + residency or medical waiver).
- Decide on fee payment: filing fee or fee waiver (Form I-912) or reduced fee (Formerly called Form I-942).
- Review your answers for accuracy and consistency (mistakes can cause delays or denial).
After Filing
- Keep your receipt notice (Form I-797C) safe — it proves USCIS accepted your application.
- Track your case online using the USCIS case number.
- Wait for the biometrics appointment notice and attend it on time.
- Keep copies of everything you submitted — application + evidence.
- Prepare for the naturalization interview:
- Review your N-400 answers.
- Study for the English and civics tests.
- Bring all required originals and copies to the interview.
- Respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
- Watch for the decision notice. If approved, get ready for your Oath of Allegiance ceremony.
- After taking the oath, apply for a U.S. passport and update your Social Security record.
Conclusion: Stepping Into Your Future—Let Us Help You
You’ve taken the time to understand every step of the Form N-400 process. You know what’s needed, you feel prepared, and your goal of U.S. citizenship is in sight.
Now, let us make this next step easier and stress-free. ImmigrationDirect offers immigration lawyer consultations and full support you from start to finish—helping you avoid mistakes, speed up the process, and giving you confidence that your application is complete and correct.
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