APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION FORM N-400

WHO MAY FILE N-400?

Before you apply for naturalization, you must meet a few requirements. Depending on your situation, there are different requirements that may apply to you. However, generally, an applicant for naturalization must:

• Be 18 years old or older at the time of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
• Be a lawful permanent resident (have a “green card”).
• Demonstrate continuous permanent residence in the United States for at least 5 years 🔎(In some cases, this may be 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen 🔎)
• Show that you have been physically present in the United States for 30 months. (In some cases, this may be 18 months if you are married to a U.S. citizen.)
• Show that you have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you claim residence.

DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

All applicants must send the following 3 items with their N-400 application:

• A photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card
• Birth certificate, with certified translation, if written in a foreign language
• Marriage certificate (if ever married), with certified translation, if written in a foreign language
• Color passport photos with your name and “A-number” written lightly in pencil on the back of each photo
• If your current legal name is different from the name on your Permanent Resident Card, bring the document(s) that legally changed your name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court document)

If you are applying for US citizenship based upon marriage to a US citizen bring:

• Proof your spouse had been a citizen for the past 3 years (spouse’s birth certificate, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, US passport, or form FS 240)
• Current marriage certificate;
• Proof of termination of all prior marriages of your spouse (divorce decree(s), annulment(s), or death certificate(s));
• Document showing that you and your spouse are still living together (examples: tax returns, bank statements, leases, mortgages, birth certificates of your children, IRS-certified copies of income taxes for the past three years or IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years).

Visit Form N-440 Naturalization Document Checklist here.