How to Apply for American Citizenship With Form N-400

Form N-400 is a simple task to complete for those who qualify.

If you are qualified to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization with form N-400, the process is fairly simple. An application form, supporting documents and a processing fee are the only items needed for the application, after which an interview and ceremony complete the process. However, though N-400 may be quick to complete, it is not quick to process. Some applications can take up to two years to be completed. For this, it is best to begin N-400 as soon as you possibly can.

Things You'll Need

• Form N-400
• 2 passport size photographs
• $675 application and biometrics fee
• Supplemental forms

Instructions

1. Qualify for U.S. naturalization before applying for citizenship. Those who are eligible have lawfully lived in the U.S. for five years or more, or are married to a U.S. citizen and have resided in the U.S. for a minimum of three years.

2. Download and print form N-400 from the Forms section of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov. Complete the form in black ink, and answer all questions, even those that are not applicable to your case. In those cases, write "N/A" or "None".

3. Write your USCIS A-number, which is found on your green card, on the top right-hand corner of each page. It must be on every page for the application to be valid.

4. Sign and date Part 11. Do not sign Parts 13 and 14, even though a signature is requested. These sections are reserved to be completed during your interview.

5. Attach two passport size photographs with your application. In the same envelope, include one photocopy of both sides of your permanent residency card, or green card. For those applying for naturalization based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, include one photocopy of the citizen spouse's birth certificate or citizenship certificate, copy of marriage certificate and a document that "refers" to you and your spouse such as a home lease, tax returns, bank statements or birth certificates of children.

   The document checklist extends for particular cases such as documents required for convicted felons. For detailed requirements for this case, refer to the "N-400 Document Checklist" provided by the USCIS (uscis.gov).

6. Include the processing and biometrics fee of $675 in the form of check or money order made payable to the Department of Homeland Security.

7. Send the application form, documents and fee to the appropriate USCS filing center. For those residing in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas Michigan, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, send your application to:

   USCIS
   P.O. Box 21251
   Phoenix, AZ 85936

   For residents of all other states, send application to:

   USCIS
   P.O. Box 660060
   Dallas, TX 75266

References

• USCIS: N-400 Instructions
• USCIS: N-400 Document Check List