Fillable Form QA Form N-400

What is Form N-400?

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is a legal document that allows people not born in the United States to apply for a US citizenship.

Being a recognized and registered citizen of the US allows a person to do a wide variety of things with more freedom and security, including the right to vote, to hold public office, to social security, to health services, to public education, to permanent residency, to own land, to employ others, to work, and many other things.

How do I fill out Form N-400?

While quite long, Form N-400 is very simple and easy to fill out. Make sure to have the necessary information prepared, and to consult the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) site for details on the documents that you will need to provide alongside the accomplished N-400 form.

Part 1 - Information About Your Eligibility

9-digit A-Number

Enter your 9-digit Alien Registration Number (A-Number) in the space provided. Enter this number in the spaces provided in each of the pages of the document.

Eligibility

Check the box that applies to the reason for why you are eligible for naturalization from the following:

• Have been a lawful, permanent resident of the US for at least 5 years.
• Have been a lawful, permanent resident of the US for at least 3 years, married to a US citizen (who has remained a citizen for the past 3 years) for at least 3 years.
• Have been a lawful, permanent resident of the US and married to a US citizen who often engages in specified employment abroad. If your residential address is outside the US and you are filing under Section 319(b), enter the USCIS Field Office where you would like your naturalization interview to be held.
• Applying on the basis of military service.
• Other (explain in the space provided)

Part 2 - Information About You

Current Legal Name

Enter your full, legal name in the spaces provided without any abbreviations or nicknames.

Name on Permanent Resident Card

Enter the name on your Permanent Resident Card, if applicable.

Other Names

Enter any other names that you used or went by in the past.

Name Change

If you wish to have your name legally changed, check “Yes” and enter the new name that you would like to use in the spaces provided. Otherwise, check “No”.

US Social Security Number

Enter your US Social Security Number, if applicable.

USCIS Online Account Number

Enter your USCIS Online Account Number, if applicable.

Gender

Check the box corresponding to your gender.

Date of Birth

Enter your date of birth.

Date You Became a Lawful Permanent Resident

Enter the date that you became a lawful permanent resident of the US.

Country of Birth

Enter the country that you were born in.

Country of Citizenship or Nationality

Enter the country that you currently have a citizenship in.

Physical or Developmental Disability or Mental Impairment

If you have a condition that prevents you from properly communicating or understanding English or the civics requirements for naturalization, check “Yes” and submit a completed Form N-648 alongside this form. Otherwise, check “No”.

Exemptions from the English Language Test

Check “Yes” for each of the following statements that applies to you, and “No” for each that does not.

• You are 50 years of age or older and have lived in the US as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling 20 years.

• You are 55 years of age or older and have lived in the US as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling 15 years.
• You are 65 years of age or older and have lived in the US as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling 20 years.

Part 3 - Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities and/or Impairments

Request for Accommodation

Check “No” if you are not requesting accommodation for any disabilities and/or impairments. Otherwise, check “Yes”, and proceed to select any box that applies from the following:

• You are deaf or hard of hearing. Enter the accommodation you are requesting in the space provided.
• You are blind or have low vision. Enter the accommodation you are requesting in the space provided.
• You have another type of disability and/or impairment. Describe the nature of your disability and/or impairment and the accommodation you are requesting in the space provided.

Part 4 - Information to Contact You

Enter the following information in the spaces provided:

• Daytime Contact Number
• Work Telephone Number
• Evening Telephone Number
• Mobile Telephone Number
• Email Address

Part 5 - Information About Your Residence

Current Address

Enter the following information about your current address:

• Street Number and Name
• (Check the box that applies) Apartment, Suite, Floor. Then enter the number of your apartment, suite, or floor (if applicable).
• City or Town
• County
• State
• ZIP Code
• Province or Region (if address is foreign)
• Postal Code (if address is foreign)
• County (if address is foreign)
• Dates of Residence (enter the date that you started residing in the above address and when you stopped, if applicable).

Mailing Address

If your mailing address is different from the address written above, enter the following information about it:

• Street Number and Name
• (Check the box that applies) Apartment, Suite, Floor. Then enter the number of your apartment, suite, or floor (if applicable).
• City or Town
• County
• State
• ZIP Code
• Province or Region (if address is foreign)
• Postal Code (if address is foreign)
• Country (if address is foreign)

Previous Address(es)

Enter the following information about your previous residences:

• Street Number and Name
• (Check the box that applies) Apartment, Suite, Floor. Then enter the number of your apartment, suite, or floor (if applicable).
• City or Town
• County
• State
• ZIP Code
• Province or Region (if address is foreign)
• Postal Code (if address is foreign)
• Country (if address is foreign)
• Dates of Residence (enter the date that you started residing in the above address and when you stopped, if applicable).

Part 6 - Information About Your Parents

If neither of your parents is a US citizen, skip this part and proceed immediately to Part 7.

Parents’ Marriage

Check “Yes” if your parents were married before your 18th birthday. Otherwise, check “No”.

Information About Your Mother

If your mother is a US Citizen, check “Yes” and provide the following information about her:

• Current Full Legal Name
• Country of Birth
• Date of Birth
• Date Mother became a US Citizen (if known)
• Mother’s A-Number (if applicable).

Otherwise, check “No” and proceed to the next item.

Information About Your Father

If your father is a US Citizen, check “Yes” and provide the following information about him:

• Current Full Legal Name
• Country of Birth
• Date of Birth
• Date Father became a US Citizen (if known)
• Father’s A-Number (if applicable).

Otherwise, check “No” and proceed to Part 7.

Part 7 - Biographic Information

For each of the items in this section, check the box that applies.

Ethnicity

Check only one box that applies from the following:

• Hispanic or Latino
• Not Hispanic or Latino

Race

Select all applicable items from the following:

• White
• Asian
• Black or African American
• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Height

Enter your height in feet and inches.

Weight

Enter your weight in pounds.

Eye Color

Select only one box from the following:

• Black
• Blue
• Brown
• Gray
• Green
• Hazel
• Maroon
• Pink
• Unknown/Other

Hair Color

Select only one box from the following:

• Bald
• Black
• Brown
• Gray
• Red
• Sandy
• White
• Unknown/Other

Part 8 - Information About Your Employment and Schools You Attended

Enter the following information about each school you attended and each employer you’ve worked for. If you require more space to enter more details, you may use a separate sheet of paper, labeled clearly.

• Employer or School Name
• Street Number and Name
• Apartment/Suite/Floor and Number
• City or Town
• State
• ZIP Code
• Province or Region (foreign address only)
• Postal Code (foreign address only)
• Country (foreign address only)
• Date Working/Studying (Date started and date ended)
• Occupation

Part 9 - Time Outside the United States

Days Spent Outside in Total

Enter the total number of days you have spent outside of the United States in the last 5 years.

Trips, 24 Hours or Longer

Enter the total number of trips you have taken outside the US in the last 5 years that lasted 24 hours or longer. Then, in the table provided below or in a separate and clearly labeled sheet of paper, enter the following details about each trip:

• Date You Left the US
• Date You Returned to the US
• Did the Trip Last 6 Months or More?
• Countries to Which You Traveled
• Total Days Spent Outside the United States

Part 10 - Information About Your Marital History

Marital Status

Check the box that applies to your marital status:

• Single, Never Married
• Married
• Divorced
• Widowed
• Separated
• Marriage Annulled

If you are single and have never married, skip the rest of this section and proceed to Part 11.

Military Spouse

Check “Yes” if your spouse is a current member of the US armed forces. Otherwise, check “No”.

Number of Times Married

Enter the number of times that you have been married.

Information About Current Spouse

Enter the following information about your current spouse:

• Current Full Legal Name
• Previous Legal Name
• Any Other Names Used by Current Spouse
• Birthday
• Date of Marriage
• Street Number and Name
• Apartment/Suite/Floor and Number
• City or Town
• County
• State
• ZIP Code
• Province or Region (foreign address only)
• Postal Code (foreign address only)
• Country (foreign address only)
• Current Employer or Company

Spouse’s US Citizenship

If your spouse is currently a US Citizen, check “Yes”. Otherwise, check “No” and proceed to Item 7.

US Citizenship Information

If your spouse was a US Citizen since birth, check the relevant box and proceed to Item 8. Otherwise, check “Other”, and enter the date that your spouse became a US citizen.

Information on Current Spouse (Non-Citizen)

Enter the current spouse’s country of citizenship or nationality, then enter their A-number (if applicable). Then check the “Lawful Permanent Resident” if your spouse is a lawful permanent resident of the US. Otherwise, check “Other” and provide an explanation in the space provided.

Prior Marriages (Current Spouse)

Enter the number of times your spouse has been married, then provide the following information about their previous partners:

• Full Legal Name of Prior Spouse
• Immigration Status of Prior Spouse (Check one of the following)
  • US Citizen
  • Lawful permanent resident
  • Other (explain in the space provided)
• Date of Birth
• Country of Birth
• Country of Citizenship or Nationality
• Date of Marriage
• Date that Marriage ended
• How Marriage Ended (Check one of the following)
  • Annulled
  • Divorced
  • Spouse Deceased
  • Other (Explain in the space provided)

Prior Marriages (Personal)

• Full Legal Name of Prior Spouse
• Immigration Status of Prior Spouse (Check one of the following)
  • US Citizen
  • Lawful permanent resident
  • Other (explain in the space provided)
• Date of Birth
• Country of Birth
• Country of Citizenship or Nationality
• Date of Marriage
• Date that Marriage ended
• How Marriage Ended (Check one of the following)
  • Annulled
  • Divorced
  • Spouse Deceased
  • Other (Explain in the space provided)

Part 11 - Information About Your Children

Number of Children

Enter the number of children you have.

Information on Children

For each child, enter the following information. If you require more space, use an appropriately labeled sheet of paper.

• Current Legal Name

• A-Number if applicable
• Date of Birth
• Country of Birth
• Street Number and Name
• Apartment/Suite/Floor and Number
• City or Town
• County
• State
• ZIP Code
• Province or Region (foreign address only)
• Postal Code (foreign address only)
• Country (foreign address only)
• Child’s Relationship to You (Enter in the space provided if your child is your biological child, adopted child, etc.

Part 12 - Additional Information About You

Answer each of the following questions with “Yes” or “No” by marking the appropriate box. If any of the questions are answered with “Yes”, attach a written explanation of your answer with this form.

Questions 1-21

1. Have you ever claimed to be a US person?
2. Have you ever registered to vote in any federal, state, or local election in the US?
3. Have you ever voted in any federal, state, or local election in the US?
4. Do you have a hereditary title or an order of nobility in any foreign country?
   • Are you willing to give up any inherited titles or orders of nobility during your naturalization ceremony?
5. Have you ever been declared legally incompetent or been confined to a mental institution?
6. Do you owe any overdue federal, state, or local taxes?
7. Have you ever neglected to file a federal, state, or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident of the US?
   • Did you consider yourself a non-US resident?
8. Have you ever claimed to be a non-US resident on a federal, state, or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident?
9. Have you ever been a member of or involved in any organization, association, fund, foundation, party, club, society, or similar group in the US or in any other location in the world?
   • If “Yes”, provide the following details in the table provided:
     • Name of the Group
     • Purpose of the Group
     • Membership in Group (Start and End dates)
10. Have you ever been a member of or associated with any of the following groups?
    • Communist Party
    • Any other totalitarian party
    • Terrorist organization
11. Have you ever advocated (directly or indirectly) the overthrow of any government by force or violence?
12. Have you ever persecuted (directly or indirectly) any person because of race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion?
13. Between March 23,1933 and May 8, 1945, did you work for or associate in any way with any of the following?
    • The Nazi government of Germany
    • Any government in any area occupied by, allied with, or established with the help of the Nazi government of Germany
    • Any German, Nazi, or SS military unit, paramilitary unit, self-defense unit, vigilante unit, citizen unit, police unit, government agency or office, extermination camp, concentration camp, prisoner of war camp, prison, labor camp, or transit camp?
14. Have you ever been involved with any of the following?
    • Genocide
    • Torture
    • Killing or trying to kill someone
    • Badly hurting or trying to hurt a person on purpose
    • Forcing or trying to force someone to have any kind of sexual contact or relations
    • Not letting someone practice their religion
15. Were you ever a member of, served in, helped, or otherwise participated in any of the following?
    • Military unit
    • Paramilitary unit
    • Police unit
    • Self-defense unit
    • Vigilante unit
    • Rebel group
    • Guerrilla group
    • Militia
    • Insurgent organization
16. Were you ever a worker, volunteer, or soldier, or did you otherwise ever serve in any of the following?
    • Prison or jail
    • Prison camp
    • Detention facility
    • Labor camp
    • Any other place people were forced to stay in
17. Were you ever a part of any group, or did you ever help any group, unit, or organization that used a weapon against any person or threatened to do so?
    • If Yes, did you ever use a weapon against another person?
    • If Yes, did you ever tell a person that you would use a weapon against them?
18. Did you ever sell, give, or provide weapons to any person or help another person sell, give, or provide weapons to others?
    • If Yes, did you know that the weapons would be used against another person?
    • If Yes, did you know that the person was going to sell or give the weapons to someone who was going to use them against another person?
19. Did you ever receive any type of military, paramilitary, or weapons training?
20. Did you ever recruit, enlist, conscript, or use any person under 15 years of age to serve in or help an armed force or group?
21. Did you ever use any person under 15 years of age to do anything that helped or supported people in combat?

Questions 22-28

For each of these questions, you must answer “Yes” even if any records relating to that question have been sealed, expunged, or otherwise cleared.

1. Have you ever committed, assisted in committing, or attempted to commit, a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?
2. Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason?
3. Have you ever been charged with committing, attempting to commit, or assisting in committing a crime or offense?
4. Have you ever been convicted of a crime or offense?
5. Have you ever been placed in an alternative sentencing or rehabilitative program?
6. Have you ever received a suspended sentence, been placed on rotation, or been paroled?
   • If Yes, have you completed probation or parole?
7. Have you ever been in jail or prison?
   • If Yes, how long were you in jail or prison?

Question 29

If you answered “No’ to numbers 23-28, skip this item and proceed to Question 30.

If you answered “Yes” to any question from numbers 23-28, enter the following information in the table below for each question. You may use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.

• Why were you arrested, cited, detained, or charged?
• Date arrested/cited/detained/charged
• Where were you arrested, cited, detained, or charged?
• Outcome or disposition of the arrest, citation, detention, or charge.

Question 30-46

Answer each of the following questions with “Yes” or “No” by marking the appropriate box. If any of the questions are answered with “Yes”, attach a written explanation of your answer with this form.

1. Have you ever been or done any of the following?
   • Habitual Drunkard
   • Prostitute/Procured anyone for prostitution
   • Sold or smuggled controlled substances, illegal drugs, or narcotics
   • Been married to more than one person at the same time
   • Married someone in order to obtain an immigration benefit
   • Helped anyone to enter or try to enter the US illegally
   • Gambled illegally or received income from illegal gambling
   • Failed to support your dependents or to pay alimony
   • Made any misrepresentation to obtain any public benefit in the US
2. Have you ever given false information to any US government officials?
3. Have you ever lied to any US government official in order to gain entry into the US or obtain immigration benefits while in the US?
4. Have you ever been removed, excluded, or deported from the US?
5. Have you ever been ordered removed, excluded, or deported from the US?
6. Have you ever been placed in removal, exclusion, rescission, or deportation proceedings?
7. Are removal, exclusion, rescission, or deportation proceedings currently pending against you?
8. Have you ever served in the US armed forces?
9. Are you currently a member of the US armed forces?
   • If Yes, are you scheduled to deploy overseas within the next three months?
   • If Yes, are you currently stationed overseas?
10. Have you ever been court-martialed, administratively separated, or disciplined, or have you been discharged from the US armed forces for any other reason besides an honorable discharge?
11. Have you ever been discharged from training or service in the US armed forces because you were an alien?
12. Have you ever left the US to avoid being drafted in the US armed forces?
13. Have you ever applied for any kind of exemption from military service in the US armed forces?
14. Have you ever deserted from the US armed forces?
15. Are you a male who lived in the US at any time between your 18th and 26th birthdays?
    • If Yes, when did you register for the selective service?
    • If Yes, but you did not register with the selective service system:
      • If you are still under 26 years of age, you must apply for naturalization and complete the selective service information above
      • If you are now 26 to 31 years of age but did not register with the selective service, you must attach a statement explaining why you did not register and provide a status information letter from the selective service.

Questions 45-50

If you answer “No” to any of the following questions, include a typed or printed explanation and provide any evidence to support your answers.

1. Do you support the Constitution and form of Government of the US?
2. Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the US?
3. Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance to the US?
4. If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms on behalf of the US?
5. If the law requires it, are you willing to perform noncombatant services in the US armed forces?
6. If the law requires it, are you willing to perform work of national importance under civilian direction?

Part 13 - Applicant’s Statement, Certification, and Signature

Applicant’s Statement

Select the box that applies:

• I can read and understand English and I have read and understood every question and instruction on this application and my answer to every question
• The interpreter named in Part 14 read to me every question and instruction on this application and my answer to every question in a language in which I am fluent, and I understood everything (enter the language you are fluent in in the space provided)

Item Number 2

Check this box if, at your request, the preparer named in Part 15 prepared this application for you based only upon information you provided or authorized. Enter the name of the preparer in the space provided.

Applicant’s Certification

This section serves to confirm that the applicant understands how all documents and information will be sent and used by the USCIS, and that they will be required to appear for an appointment for interview and biometrics.

Applicant’s Signature

Sign the form in the space provided, then enter the date that the form was signed.

Part 14 - Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

Interpreter’s Full Name

Enter the Interpreter’s full name and the name of the business or organization they work for, if any.

Interpreter’s Mailing Address

Enter the following information about the interpreter’s mailing address:

• Street Number and Name
• Apartment/Suite/Floor and Number
• City or Town
• County
• State
• ZIP Code
• Province or Region (foreign address only)
• Postal Code (foreign address only)
• Country (foreign address only)

Interpreter’s Contact Information

Enter the interpreter’s daytime telephone number, mobile phone number ,and email address.

Interpreter’s Certification

Enter the language that the interpreter shares with the applicant, that they used in order to interpret the questions and answers of the applicant for the purposes of filing this form.

Interpreter’s Signature

Have the interpreter sign the form in the space provided then enter the date that the form was signed.

Part 15 - Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing This Application, if Other Than the Applicant.

Preparer’s Full Name

Enter the preparer’s full name and the name of the business or organization they work for, if any.

Preparer’s Mailing Address

Enter the following information about the preparer’s mailing address:

• Street Number and Name
• Apartment/Suite/Floor and Number
• City or Town
• County
• State
• ZIP Code
• Province or Region (foreign address only)
• Postal Code (foreign address only)
• Country (foreign address only)

Preparer’s Contact Information

Enter the preparer’s daytime telephone number, mobile phone number, and email address.

Preparer’s Statement

Check the box that applies between the following:

• I am not an attorney or accredited representative but have prepared this application on behalf of the applicant and with the applicant’s consent
• I am an attorney or accredited representative, and my representation of the applicant in this case extends/does not extend (check as appropriate) beyond the preparation of this application.

Preparer’s Certification

This section confirms that the preparer prepared this application at the request of the applicant, with their explicit consent and understanding of all of the information contained in it.

Preparer’s Signature

Have the preparer sign the form in the space provided, then enter the date that the form was signed.

Parts 16 to 18

Sign these sections only as appropriate and instructed by the USCIS officer during your interview.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much is the fee for filing Form N-400?

The total cost of the application is roughly $725.

Do I need a lawyer to apply for US Citizenship?

No, you do not need a lawyer to use Form N-400 to apply for naturalization. You may file USCIS forms on your own, though having a lawyer or other legal professional to consult may prove beneficial.

Does USCIS publish the naturalization test questions?

Yes, USCIS does publish a complete list of the civics tests from 2008 and 2020. Copies of these tests can be found on their site.

Does the USCIS provide study materials for the naturalization test?
Yes. These materials are available for free on their site, with separate sets of study materials for the 2008 and 2020 tests.

Does the USCIS change the questions on the test frequently?

No. However, some answers may change based on recent elections or political appointments, so it is best to keep track of the current information whenever possible.

Will all of the questions in the civics tests be asked during the interview?

No, but it is important to review them all regardless in order to ensure that you are fully prepared regardless of what questions the interviewer chooses to ask.

Can I live in both my home country and the US at the same time before submitting Form N-400?

Not entirely. Submitting Form N-400 requires that you have lived in the US for at least 5 years before submitting Form N-400. You may still travel to another country as long as you are not legally disallowed from doing so, but if the trip lasts 180 days or longer, the USCIS may determine that you no longer meet the requirements to be eligible for naturalization.

Will the USCIS approve my Form N-400 when I pass the reading, writing, and civics parts of the test?

No. There remains the speaking portion of the test, as well as all other requirements for the naturalization process.

Can I legally change my name while my naturalization application is pending?

Yes. However, you must immediately provide USCIS with the documents that legally changed your name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other official legal record. Make sure to mention your name change and bring the related documents when you come in for your interview.

Do I need to bring original documents to the naturalization interview?

Yes. Consult the USCIS site on what documents you need to bring original copies of. This is done in order to prevent fraud.

What do I do if I have already applied for naturalization, but my Green Card is expiring?

Any naturalization applicant who properly submits Form N-400 after Dec 12, 2022 will receive a Form N-400 receipt notice that automatically extends the validity of a person’s Green Card for 24 months from the card expiry date. This receipt notice must be presented to show that your Green Card has been extended. Otherwise, you must file Form I-90 in order to renew your Green Card.

Will I be allowed to retake the test if I fail portions of it?

You will be given two opportunities to meet the English and Civics requirements. Failure to pass any portion of these assignments will require that you be retested on that portion or portions during a new interview between 60 to 90 days from the date of your initial interview.

How many times can I apply for naturalization?

There is no limit to the number of times you can file for naturalization, but there is a fee that must be paid per Form N-400 that you submit to the USCIS.

Can I file for naturalization before I have lived in the US for 5 years?

Yes, but only if you have lived in the US for at least 3 years and are married to a US citizen.

Am I ineligible for naturalization if I receive public assistance?

No. As long as these benefits were received lawfully, they will not have any bearing on your eligibility for naturalization.