Apply for U.S. Citizenship (N-400) · United States

Bring these documents

• Green card (Permanent Resident Card, both sides photocopy)[1]Required
• Two passport-style photos (only for some applicants abroad)[1]If applicable

  Most applicants in the U.S. do not include photos — biometrics are captured at the appointment.

• List of every trip outside the U.S. in the last 5 years (3 if married to a U.S. citizen)[7]Required

  Dates of departure, dates of return, countries visited. USCIS uses this to verify continuous residence and physical presence.

• Tax records for the last 5 years (3 if married to U.S. citizen)[8]Required

  IRS account transcripts are best. Free at irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.

• Marriage certificate, divorce decrees, prior spouses' naturalization certificates[1]If applicable

  Required if applying under 3-year rule (spouse of U.S. citizen) or if you've ever been married.

• Selective Service registration (males 18–25 who lived in U.S.)[9]If applicable
• Filing fee (or Form I-912 fee waiver request)[2]Required

Step by step

1. 1

   Confirm eligibility before paying[4]

   Default: 5+ years as a green-card holder, 30+ months physical presence, no disqualifying conduct. 3-year rule if married to a U.S. citizen and living together. Use the official eligibility tool.

   Naturalization self-test → Source: uscis.gov
2. 2

   Create a free myUSCIS account and file N-400 online[1]

   Online filing is faster, lets you upload evidence, see status, and respond to requests for evidence in one place. Paper filing is still allowed but slower.

   Open myUSCIS → Source: uscis.gov
3. 3

   Pay the fee at the current rate[2]

   Fees changed May 6, 2026. The Fee Calculator gives the exact amount based on filing method and your situation. Wrong fee = automatic rejection.

   Open Fee Calculator → Source: uscis.gov
4. 4

   Attend your biometrics appointment[10]

   USCIS will send a notice for fingerprints, usually 3–5 weeks after filing. Bring the notice + photo ID.

   Open official page Source: uscis.gov
5. 5

   Pass the naturalization interview + English/civics tests[4]

   Scheduled 6–14 months after filing. Tests cover speaking/reading/writing English and 10 civics questions (must answer 6 correctly).

   Free study materials → Source: uscis.gov
6. 6

   Take the Oath of Allegiance[11]

   Same-day for some field offices; for others, scheduled separately. You become a U.S. citizen at the oath, not at the interview.

   Open official page Source: uscis.gov

Common reasons this gets rejected

• Wrong fee amount (post-May-2026 change)

  Any cached number on the internet is suspect. ALWAYS confirm the current N-400 fee at uscis.gov/feecalculator the day you file — wrong amount = full rejection.

• Trip list incomplete or doesn't match passport stamps

  Officers cross-check your N-400 trip list against passport stamps and CBP records. Even short trips count. Build the list from your passport before filing.

• Continuous-residence gap from a single long trip

  A single trip of 6+ months can break continuous residence. 1+ year almost always does, unless you filed N-470 in advance. Get an immigration attorney if your trip log shows long absences.

• Unpaid taxes or unfiled returns

  Even small unpaid balances can lead to a denial on 'good moral character' grounds. Pay or set up an IRS payment plan BEFORE the interview.

• Failing to disclose arrests — even dismissed ones

  You must list every arrest, citation, detention — even ones expunged or dismissed. Failure to disclose is a separate ground for denial.

Talk to a human

Sources

1. [1]Form N-400 — USCIS
2. [2]USCIS Fee Calculator (always check)
3. [3]myUSCIS online filing
4. [4]Civics test study materials
5. [5]Find a USCIS Field Office
6. [6]Form I-912 Fee Waiver Request
7. [7]https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization
8. [8]https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-f-chapter-3
9. [9]https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-7
10. [10]https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/preparing-for-your-biometric-services-appointment
11. [11]https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/the-naturalization-interview-and-test