N-400 - Application For Naturalization Filling and Packaging Customer Instructions

This step requires you to print a copy of your application (Form N-400, Application for Employment Authorization) on paper, measuring approximately: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches.

Once the form has been carefully reviewed and there are no errors or misleading information, please sign and date it as follows:

• Go to page 17 of the Form and find Part 13 #3;

• Sign your full name (as it appears in your passport) in the box labeled “Applicant’s Signature”;

• Write down the date in the box labeled “Date” using the Month/Day/Year format

Example: If you are signing your application on April 25, 2017, you should write 04/25/2017 in the designated box;

Required Supporting Evidence:

• A Photocopy, front and back, of your Green Card. Please note that the copy may be in black and white, but the information must be clear and readable.

  • If you have lost your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), please attach a photocopy of any other entry document, or of a receipt showing that you have filed Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

• Photocopy of your current legal marital status document (if applicable), e.g.; marriage certificate, divorce, annulment decree, or death certificate of a former spouse.

Required Evidence for Military Personnel (if applicable):

• Form N-426 Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service - If you are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, please submit a complete and certified Form N-426. If you are separated from the military, provide an uncertified Form N-426.

• Evidence of Military Service: If you ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces, provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214, for all periods of service. If you are currently in active duty within the U.S. or abroad, please submit a copy of your official military orders.

If you are required to submit Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, you can complete and download Form N-426 here.

If you do not have a required document and are unable to obtain a certified copy of the original, please send a certification from the person or authority that originally issued the document explaining why it cannot be provided. The USCIS will consider documents such as notarized affidavits in such cases.

Please consider the following before submitting supporting evidence:

• If either you or the person you are filing for is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents, you must provide evidence of the legal change along with your application, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.

• Provide legal copies of all required documentation, unless originals are specifically required. If you submit an unrequired original document it will be added to your application record and may never be returned.

• All documents submitted in a foreign language must be accompanied by an English translation certified as complete and accurate by the translator. It must also include the translator’s name, address, signature and date of the translation.

Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions - Form N-648

Do you have a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment that prevents you from demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of the English language and/or civics requirements for naturalization?

If the answer is "Yes," you are required to submit a completed Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, when you file your Form N-400.

All parts of this form, except the “Applicant Attestation,” and “Interpreter’s Certification,” must be certified by a licensed medical professional.

If you are eligible for Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions complete Form N-648 here.

The filing fee for Form N-400 is $640. A biometric services fee of $85 is required for all applicants under 75 years of age, regardless of place of residence, or if filing from within the U.S. or abroad. However, DHS will charge naturalization applicants a reduced fee of $320 if their family income is greater than 150% and under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If the total household income is lower than 150% of the FPG, the service fee will be waived.

Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) explained

• Case 1: If <200% FPG, the full amount of $725 ($640 + $85) to be paid

• Case 2: If <150% - 200% FPG, half of the total fee amount to be paid - $405 ($320 + $85)

• Case 3: If >150% FPG, payable fee is waived (See Fee Waiver Form instructions below)

Biometric Services Fee Exceptions:

You do not have to pay a biometric services fee if:

• You are 75 years of age or older; or

• You are filing under a military provisions, Section 328 or 329 of the INA.

USCIS cannot accept a biometric services fee if you are not required to pay a biometric services fee.

Pay for each application using a single payment method (personal, attorney or business check) and not a combination of methods. Use the same payment method for all applications that are mailed together.

Payments by Check:

• The personal, attorney or business checks must be drawn from a U.S. bank, or financial institution, and must be payable in U.S. currency;

• Make the check payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (checks using initials like “USDHS” or “DHS” will not be accepted);

• Write your A-Number in the Memo section as follows: ARN#xxxxxxxxx - N-400 Fees;

• Make payment amount for: $725.00

• Have the account holder sign the check using their legal signature.

Form I-912 Request for Fee Waiver

You may request a fee waiver if you are unable to pay the filing fees or biometric services fee. When you request a fee waiver, you must provide proof that you are unable to pay the fees.

You are eligible to file Form I-912 if:

• You, your spouse, or the head of household living with you, are currently receiving a means-tested benefit;

• Your household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time you file;

• You are currently experiencing financial hardship that prevents you from paying the filing fee, including unexpected medical bills or emergencies.

If you are eligible for a Fee Waiver please complete Form I-912 here.

To complete this step, you will need your signed Form N-400 application, all supporting documentation, personal, attorney or business check, and photographs (if applicable). You will also need a large envelope or folder for all your documents, to keep them organized and in one place. It is important to keep a copy of everything you send.

• Make a copy of each page of your signed Form N-400 application

• Staple all pages together

• Make a copy of your photographs

• Make a copy of the check (front and back). Be sure that you have written your A-Number in the Memo section

• Make a copy of each supporting document, including original-language and translated documents, if applicable

Place all copies in a large envelope/folder and keep them in a safe place, away from fire. These copies are for your personal records. They may be useful at a later stage.

Do not send any of the copies to USCIS

For this step, you will need your signed Form N-400 application, a personal, attorney or business check your supporting evidence, and two (2) photographs in a small envelope (if applicable). Additionally, you will need a large envelope that can hold all of these documents.

The mailing location depends on your state of residence. Please refer to the Filing Addresses for U.S. Citizenship Application below for the correct mailing address.:

If you live in...

U.S.Postal Service:

USCIS

P.O. Box 21251

Phoenix, AZ 85036

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: N-400

1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S

Suite 100

Phoenix, AZ 85034

If you live in...

U.S.Postal Service:

USCIS

P.O. Box 660060

Dallas, TX 75266

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: N-400

2501 S State Hwy 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

If you live in...

U.S.Postal Service:

USCIS

P.O. Box 4380

Chicago, IL 60680-4380

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: N-400

131 S. Dearborn, 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60603-5517

If you live in...

Applications from Current or Former Members of the Military, Spouses of Current Members of the Military, and Close Relatives of Deceased Members of the Military

U.S.Postal Service:

USCIS

P.O. Box 4446 Chicago,

IL 60680-4446

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: Military N-400

131 S. Dearborn, 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60603-5517

• Write the given address above in the middle of the large envelope;

• Write your return address in the upper left corner of the large envelope (please note that applicants are required to notify USCIS of any change of address that may occur while an application is pending);

• Using a paper clip, attach payment to your N-400 application;

• Place your completed N-400 form in the large envelope along with the payment fee (if applicable);

• Place the two (2) photographs in a small envelope and then in the large envelope (if applicable);

• Mail your application by certified mail, express mail, or courier service, and request a return receipt.

Please read the given instructions carefully; not signing your complete Form N-400; providing incorrect information or omitting information, and not sending the correct fee, may result in a delay and may cause your application to be rejected.

The processing time for Form N-400 ranges between 9-12 months.

Once the USCIS receives your application, it will be reviewed for completeness.

Once it is accepted for processing, you will receive Form I-797 Receipt Notice, along with your Receipt Number that you can use to get additional information regarding the status of your application.

After you receive the Receipt Notice, you will receive an Appointment Notice requesting your presence at your local Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken. Failure to appear to be fingerprinted or for other biometric services may result in the rejection of your request.

Interview:

• The USCIS will send you an Appointment Letter with the location, date and time of your interview.

• You will be required to provide the following documentation at the time of your interview:

  • Your Permanent Resident Card;

  • Any State-Issued identification, such as a driver’s license;

  • Your current and any expired passport(s);

  • Any travel documents issued by the USCIS;

  • Evidence of your current legal marital status: bring the original of all marriage certificates, divorce or annulment decrees, or death certificates;

  • Evidence of the termination of your spouse’s prior marriage(s), such as divorce decrees, or death certificates.

  • Name(s) Change(s): You will be required to bring the document(s) that legally changed your name(s), e.g.; marriage certificate, divorce decree, name change petition.

• You will be required to take an English and Civics Test:

  • All applicants must show that they can understand English, as well as, being able to read, write, and speak in basic English;

  • The civics exam will test the applicants’ knowledge and understanding of the history, principles, and structure of the U.S. Government;

The interview consists of four (4) parts:

• Reading: You will be asked to read parts of your Form N-400 application out loud; or a set of your civics questions and answer them; or read simple sentences;

• Writing: You will be required to write a few simple sentences;

• Speaking: You will be required to answer questions about yourself and your application during your interview;

• Civics: You will be required to verbally answer a set of civics questions or take a multiple-choice written test of around ten (10) questions.

The USCIS offers a variety of study materials and resources to help you prepare for the Citizenship test.

Some people are exempt from taking the English language test, depending on age, length of time residing in the U.S., and/or disability.

Oath of Allegiance:

To complete the naturalization process, you will be required to take the Oath of Allegiance. You will receive a letter from the USCIS with the time, location, and date of the ceremony.

You will be required to turn in your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), and you may be asked a few simple questions about what you have done since your interview.

An applicant may request a modification to the oath due to religious objection or an inability or unwillingness to take an oath or recite the words “under God.”​

An applicant or designated representative may request an oath waiver if the applicant is unable to understand the meaning of the oath.​

If deemed necessary, the USCIS may request further information or evidence, or they may require you to appear at a USCIS office for an interview, which may include the collection of biometric information such as fingerprints, photographs, and signature. In the unlikely event that your application cannot be granted, your Form N-400 will be returned along with any fees, and you will receive a written explanation for the denial.

Before submitting your application make sure you have completed all of the steps:

1. Did you answer each question on Form N-400 accurately?

2. Did you sign and date your application using black ink?

3. Did you enclose the correct filing fee for your application (if applicable)?

4. Did you enclose the two (2) identical photographs?

5. Did you submit the required supporting evidence?

Please send your signed N-400 application, supporting evidence, two (2) photographs (if applicable), and your personal, attorney or business check in a large envelope. (Do not forget to sign and date Form N-400)