Citizenship Document Assistance

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

Naturalization is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen if you were born outside of the United States. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you use Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to apply.

Basic Eligibility and When to File

You may generally file Form N-400 90 calendar days before you complete your continuous residence requirement if your eligibility is based on being a permanent resident for at least 5 years, or a permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.

How to Apply

If you are eligible to apply, the general steps are: create a USCIS online account at myaccount.uscis.gov, then prepare your Form N-400 and submit your application to USCIS. An online account also lets you pay your filing fee online, check your case status, receive notifications and case updates, view personalized case completion date estimates, respond to requests for evidence, and manage your contact information.

You generally have two options for filing Form N-400: online, or by mail (paper). If you are requesting a reduced fee or a fee waiver, you cannot file online — you must file a paper Form N-400 along with the appropriate waiver request and required evidence. If you file by mail, USCIS will mail you an Account Acceptance Notice with instructions on creating an online account to track your case; your application will still be processed even if you do not create one.

Filing Fee (Form N-400)

You cannot request a fee waiver or reduced fee when filing online — both require a paper Form N-400. Fees are current as of the USCIS G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 05/29/26) and are subject to change; always confirm the current fee on uscis.gov before filing.

English and Civics Testing

Alert: USCIS is implementing the 2025 naturalization civics test to align with Executive Order 14161. Applicants who file Form N-400 before October 20, 2025, take the 2008 naturalization civics test. Applicants who file on or after October 20, 2025, take the 2025 naturalization civics test, which is based on the 2020 test with some modifications.

For the English portion of the test, you must demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English. Your ability to speak and understand English is assessed by a USCIS officer during your eligibility interview. For the reading test, you must correctly read aloud 1 of 3 sentences; for the writing test, you must correctly write 1 of 3 sentences.

The 2008 civics test is an oral test in which the officer asks up to 10 questions from a list of 100 civics questions; you must answer 6 correctly to pass, and officers stop asking once you answer 6 correctly or 5 incorrectly. The 2025 civics test consists of 20 questions drawn from a list of 128 civics questions; you must answer 12 correctly to pass, and officers stop once you answer 12 correctly or 9 incorrectly.

If you are 65 years of age or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years, USCIS will administer a test with 10 questions from a specially selected bank of 20 questions (marked with an asterisk) from either the 2008 or 2025 test list, and you may take the test in the language of your choice.

Biometrics

Applicants who file Form N-400 must generally submit biometrics unless USCIS waives the requirement. If required, you will receive a notice of your scheduled Application Support Center (ASC) appointment. If USCIS determines you are eligible for naturalization, it may use the photograph taken at your ASC appointment on your Certificate of Naturalization, so it's recommended you dress appropriately for that photo on the day of your appointment.

At your ASC appointment, bring your appointment notice (Form I-797C) and valid photo identification, such as your Green Card, passport, or driver's license. Federal law prohibits weapons such as firearms, knives, pepper spray, and ammunition at any USCIS facility, even with a valid permit.

Good Moral Character Documentation

As part of your N-400 filing, you generally need to document your good moral character. If you have ever been arrested, detained, charged, or convicted anywhere in the world — even if no charges were filed or the record was later vacated, sealed, or expunged — you will generally need to provide supporting documentation such as arrest reports, charging documents, court dispositions, sentencing records, and evidence that any sentence, probation, or alternative program was completed.

After You File

Effective December 12, 2022, after you properly file Form N-400, you will receive a receipt notice that automatically extends your Green Card for 2 years from its expiration date, which serves as evidence of your continued lawful permanent resident status when presented together with your Green Card.