N-400, Application for Naturalization

Basis for Filing

Documentation

• LPR Card (Green Card): A copy of your Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card) (both sides)
• Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions: If you have a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment that prevents you from complying with the English language and/or civics requirements for naturalization, submit a completed Form N-648 to request an exception to the English language and/or civics tests.  
• Marital Status: Provide current marriage certificate and any divorce decree, annulment decree, or death certificate showing that your prior marriages were terminated (if applicable).

• Good Moral Character: 

  Documentation of crimes and offenses: If You Have EVER:	You Must Provide:
  Been arrested or detained for any reason anywhere in the world and NO CHARGES WERE FILED.	An arrest report; and An official statement from the arresting agency or applicable court confirming that no charges were filed.
  Been convicted or placed in an alternative sentence program (such as diversion, deferred prosecution, withheld adjudication, deferred adjudication) or rehabilitative program (including a drug treatment or community service program).	The sentencing record for each incident; and Evidence that you completed your alternative sentencing or rehabilitative programs.
  Been arrested or detained for any reason anywhere in the world and CHARGES WERE FILED.	Documentation of all arrest reports, charging documents, court dispositions, sentencing reports, and any other relevant documents; and Any additional evidence that you would like us to consider concerning the circumstances of your arrests or convictions. NOTE: If you were sentenced to jail or prison or received an alternative sentence or probation, you must also provide evidence to show that you completed your period of jail, prison, alternative sentence, or probation.
  Been convicted or placed in an alternative sentence program (such as diversion, deferred prosecution, withheld adjudication, deferred adjudication) or rehabilitative program (including a drug treatment or community service program).	The sentencing record for each incident; and Evidence that you completed your alternative sentencing or rehabilitative programs.
  Been convicted and sentenced (including if your sentence was suspended, or you were placed on probation or parole).	The sentencing record for each incident; and Evidence that you completed your sentence, such as probation or parole records.
  Had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged, or otherwise removed from your record, or received a pardon.	A motion to vacate and court order vacating, setting aside, sealing, expunging, or otherwise removing the arrest or conviction from your record; An application or petition for a pardon and final decision granting your application or petition for a pardon; or A statement from the court that no record exists of your arrest or conviction.
  Been in a traffic incident.	Documentation of traffic incidents only if the incident: Involved alcohol or drugs; Led to an arrest; or Seriously injured another person.
  Been ordered to pay a fine, make restitution, or have your wages garnished.	Documentation of the order to pay a fine, restitution, or garnish wages; and Documentation that you have paid the required sum or evidence of current payment.

  • If taxes are owed, a signed agreement from the IRS or state or local tax office showing you have filed a tax return and have arranged to pay the taxes you owe;
  • Evidence of child support (if applicable):
    • Cancelled checks or money order receipts;
    • A court or agency document showing child support payments;
    • Evidence of wage garnishments; or
    • A notarized letter from the parent or guardian who cares for your children.
• Continuous Residence and Physical Presence: If you have taken any trips outside the United States that lasted more than 6 months but less than 1 year, provide evidence that you maintained your continuous residence in the United States for the required statutory period.  Evidence may include, but is not limited to:
  • Rent or mortgage statements, or pay statements;
  • Bank, credit card, or loan statements showing regular transactions;
  • Proof of car registration and insurance;
  • Your passport showing entry and exit stamps;
  • IRS tax transcripts; and  
  • Any other document that shows that you maintained your residence in the United States. 
• Selective Service: If you were required to but did not register with the Selective Service System before you turned 26 years of age, and you are currently over 26 years of age but under 31 years of age (or under 29 years of age if filing on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen):
  • Status information letter from the Selective Service; and  
  • A statement regarding your reasons for failing to register. 

• Provide a court order authorizing the legal guardian or surrogate to exercise authority over the applicant’s affairs; or  
• Evidence of an authorized designated representative who is the primary custodial caregiver and who takes responsibility for the applicant, such as:  
  • School records, hospital records, income tax returns (records showing that a person is an authorized representative before the IRS in connection with the applicant's federal tax matters); or
  • Social Security documents (for example, enrollment in the US SSA Representative's Payment Program), or affidavits (written sworn statements from other family members or person who have personal knowledge of the familial relationship between the applicant and the person seeking to represent the applicant indicating the person is responsible for the primary custodial care of the applicant); and  
• Documentation of family relationship if the designated representative is not the legal guardian or surrogate;
• Form N-648 certified by medical professional of inability to take the oath;  Note: you may also provide a separate attestation from the medical professional but not necessary if providing the N-648 with the information. 

• Continuous Residence and physical presence documentation for the last 3 years if you have taken any trips outside the United States during the last 3 years that lasted more than 6 months but less than 1 year.  Evidence may include, but is not limited to:  
  • Rent or mortgage statements, or pay statements;
  • Bank, credit card, or loan statements showing regular transactions;
  • Proof of car registration and insurance;
  • Your passport showing entry and exit stamps;
  • IRS  tax transcripts; and  
  • Any other document that shows that you maintained your residence in the United States.
• A copy of your marriage certificate;
• Evidence of U.S. citizenship for spouse for the last 3 years, generally a copy of your spouse’s:  
  • U.S. birth certificate;  
  • Certificate of Naturalization;
  • Certificate of Citizenship;
  • biographical page of their current U.S. passport; or
  • Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form FS-240).
• Evidence of termination of all prior marriages for you and your spouse, such as Divorce decree(s); Annulment(s); Death certificate(s).
• If Spouse of U.S. Citizen in Qualified Employment Outside the United States (Part 1, Question 1.D. on the Form), provide evidence of your U.S. citizen spouse’s employment abroad:
  • The employer’s name and nature of the employer’s business;
  • The nature of the work the U.S. citizen spouse is performing;
  • Documentation to establish the employing entity is:
    1. The U.S. government;
    2. An American Institution of Research recognized as such by the attorney general (see www.uscis.gov/air);
    3. A public international organization in which the United States participates by treaty or statute;
    4. An American firm or corporation that is engaged in whole or in part in the development of U.S. foreign trade and commerce; or
    5. A religious denomination or an interdenominational mission organization and your spouse is performing the ministerial or priestly functions of the religious denomination or is serving as a missionary, brother, nun, or sister for the religious denomination or interdenominational mission.
  • Your U.S. citizen spouse’s travel orders which include your name as a spouse (if applicable);
  • Documentation to establish your spouse’s qualified employment outside the U.S. is scheduled to last for at least 1 year from the date you file Form N-400; and
  • A typed or printed statement of your intent to reside outside the U.S. with your spouse and to live in the U.S. immediately after your spouse’s qualified employment outside the U.S. ends.
• If Spouse of a Member of the U.S. armed forces: 
  • Documentation you are authorized to accompany the member pursuant to the member’s official orders;  
  • Documentation of military service of the member of the U.S. armed forces; and
  • Two passport-style photographs (if you reside outside the United States) 

• Evidence of the spouse’s U.S. citizenship;  
• Evidence of marriage to the U.S. citizen (VAWA applicants do not have to still be married to the U.S. citizen at the time of filing the naturalization application); and
• Divorce or separation or marital union is NOT required if you obtained LPR status as the spouse, former spouse, or intended spouse of a U.S. citizen who subjected you to battery or extreme cruelty. 

• Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, (if currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces);
• DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or discharge orders (if separated from the U.S. Armed Forces);
• A copy of your official military orders (if applicable);
• Two passport-style photographs (if you reside outside the United States); and
• No documentation of continuous residence or physical presence necessary if currently serving during a designated period of hostilities.