N-400, Application for Naturalization

You generally have two options for filing your Form N-400 with USCIS:

• Online; or
• By mail (paper).

Filing Your Form N-400 Online

You must create a USCIS online account to file your Form N-400 online. Having an online account will also allow you to:

• Pay your filing fee online;
• Check the status of your case;
• Receive notifications and case updates;
• View personalized case completion date estimates;
• Respond to requests for evidence; and
• Manage your contact information, including updating your address.

Attorneys and Accredited Representatives: You can also create an online account, which will allow you to manage all of your clients’ applications in one place.

Filing Your Form N-400 by Mail

If you submit Form N-400 on paper, we will mail you a USCIS Account Acceptance Notice with instructions on how to create an online account to track and manage your case. We will process your application even if you do not create an online account, but we encourage you to create and access your online account. We will continue to mail you copies of notifications about your case. Please check our Direct Filing Addresses for Form N-400 page for information on where to mail your application. Applications that are not submitted to the appropriate direct filing address may experience processing delays.

You may file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, 90 calendar days before you complete your continuous residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a:

• Permanent resident for at least 5 years; or
• Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a US citizen.

Please see our USCIS Early Filing Calculator page for additional information. 

Please do not submit this checklist with your Form N-400. It is an optional tool to use as you prepare your form, but does not replace statutory, regulatory, and form instruction requirements. We recommend that you review these requirements before completing and submitting your form. Do not send original documents unless specifically requested in the form instructions or applicable regulations.

If you submit any documents (copies or original documents, if requested) in a foreign language, you must include a full English translation along with a certification from the translator verifying that the translation is complete and accurate, and that the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language to English.

Did you provide the following?

• A copy of your Permanent Resident Card (commonly called a Green Card);
• A copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable);
• Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service (if you are applying for naturalization based on military service);
• DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or discharge orders (if applying for naturalization based on military service and are separated from service);
• A copy of your official military orders (if you are applying for naturalization based on military service and are currently serving);
• Evidence of your citizen spouse’s employment abroad (if applying under INA 319(b)); and
• Two passport-style photographs (if you reside outside the United States).

Filing Tips: Go to our Tips for Filing Forms by Mail page for information on how to help ensure we will accept your application.

Don’t forget to sign your form. We will reject any unsigned form.

• Read A Guide to Naturalization (Form M-476) carefully before filing this form. The Form N-400 Instructions often refer to information in the guide, and it provides important information about U.S. citizenship eligibility requirements and processing procedures.
• Biometrics: Applicants who file Form N-400 must generally submit biometrics unless the requirement is waived. An applicant who is required to appear at an Application Support Center (ASC) to submit biometrics will receive a notice of their scheduled appointment. If we determine you are eligible for naturalization, we may use the photograph taken at the ASC on your Certificate of Naturalization. Therefore, we recommend that on the day of your ASC appointment, you dress in clothing that is acceptable for display on your Certificate of Naturalization. We will not reject a photograph based solely upon your desire to modify the photograph shown on your certificate.
• Photographs: Based on processing needs, you may need to submit physical passport photographs after you have already filed your Form N-400. We will send you a request for physical photographs with instructions on how to submit them.
• Attorney or accredited representative: You may be represented, at no expense to the U.S. government, by an attorney or other duly authorized or accredited representative. Your representative must submit Form G-28, Notice of Entry or Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, with your Form N-400. They may also submit Form G-28 at the time of your interview.
• Lost or Expiring Permanent Resident Card (Green Card): Effective Dec. 12, 2022, after you properly file Form N-400, you will receive a Form N-400 receipt notice that automatically extends your Green Card for 2 years from the “Card Expires” date on your Green Card. This notice will serve as proof that your Green Card, which is evidence of your lawful permanent resident status, has been extended. The notice should be presented together with your Green Card. If you lose your Green Card, you generally must still file Form I-90 even if you have applied for naturalization. If you have been issued a Form N-400 receipt notice that automatically extends the validity of your Green Card, but your notice has been destroyed or lost, then you generally must file Form I-90 to renew your expiring Green Card.

Biometrics for Service Members

We will review your application and conduct required background and security checks, which include you providing us with your fingerprints. This can be done in one of the following ways:

• If you were fingerprinted for a previous immigration application, we will use these fingerprints, if available.
• If you are stationed outside the United States, you may submit two properly completed FD-258 fingerprint cards and two passport-style photos taken by the military police or officials with the Department of Homeland Security at a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.
• You may also submit your fingerprints at an Application Support Center (ASC) before or after you file your Form N-400. Be sure to include your A-Number and show your unexpired military ID card or Delayed Entry Program ID card.

If you have case specific questions, you can contact the Military Help Line at 877-CIS-4MIL (877-247-4645, TTY: 800-877-8339) or militaryinfo@uscis.dhs.gov.

E-Notification: If you want to receive an email and/or text message when we accept your form at a USCIS lockbox, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and clip it to the first page of your application.