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General instructions on filling out the N-400

Form N-400: Application for Naturalization
Purpose of Form :
To apply for U.S. citizenship.

Where to File :
Send your N-400 application and supporting documents to the Service Center at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services having jurisdiction over your place of residence.

If you live in AZ, CA, HI, NV, Territory of Guam, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, send your N-400 application to:
California Service Center
PO Box 10400
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1040

If you live in AK, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MO, MN, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI or WY, send your N-400 application to:
Nebraska Service Center
PO Box 87400
Lincoln, NE 68501-7400

If you live in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN or TX, send your N-400 application to:
Texas Service Center
PO Box 851204
Mesquite, TX 75185-1204

If you live in CT, DE, District of Columbia, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, send your N-400 application to:
Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden St
St. Albans, VT 05479-9400

All naturalization applicants filing under the military provisions, section 328 or 329, should file their application at the Nebraska Service Center regardless of geographic location or jurisdiction. Please send your application to:
Nebraska Service Center P.O. Box 87426 Lincoln, NE 68501-7426

Fees are accepted in the form of money order, personal check or cashiers check only. Checks should be made payable to Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

General Instructions

Step 1. Fill Out Form N-400

1. Type or print legibly in black ink.

2. If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a continuation sheet, indicate the item number, and date and sign each sheet.

3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is none, write "none."

4. Write your USCIS (or former INS) "A"- number on the top right hand corner of each page. Use your ''A''- number on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as the Alien Registration or ''Green'' Card). To locate your ''A''- number, see the sample Permanent Resident Cards in the Guide. The ''A'' number on your card consists of seven to nine numbers, depending on when your record was created. If the ''A''- number on your card has fewer than nine numbers, place enough zeros before the first number to make a total of nine numbers on the application. For example, write card number A1234567 as A001234567, but write card number A12345678 as A012345678.

5. Answer all questions fully and accurately.

Step-by-Step Instructions.

This form is divided into 14 parts. The information below will help you fill out the form.

Part 1. Your Name (the Person Applying for Naturalization).

A. Your current legal name - Your current legal name is the name on your birth certificate, unless it has been changed after birth by a legal action such as a marriage or court order.

B. Your name exactly as it appears on your Permanent Resident Card (if different from above)-- Write your name exactly as it appears on your card, even if it is misspelled.

C. Other names you have used - If you have used any other names in your life, write them in this section. If you need more space, use a separate sheet of paper.

D. If you have never used a different name, write ''N/A'' in the space for ''Family Name (Last Name)."

E. Name change (optional) - A court can allow a change in your name when you are being naturalized. A name change does not become final until a court naturalizes you. For more information regarding a name change, see the Guide.

F. If you want a court to change your name at a naturalization oath ceremony, check ''Yes'' and complete this section. If you do not want to change your name, check ''No'' and go to Part 2.

Part 2. Information About Your Eligibility.

Check the box that shows why you are eligible to apply for naturalization. If the basis for your eligibility is not described in one of the first three boxes, check ''Other'' and briefly write the basis for your application on the lines provided.

Part 3. Information About You.

A. U.S. Social Security Number - Print your U.S. Social Security Number. If you do not have one, write ''N/A'' in the space provided.

B. Date of birth - Always use eight numbers to show your date of birth. Write the date in this order: Month, Day, Year. For example, write May 1, 1958 as 05/01/1958.

C. Date you became a Permanent Resident - Write the official date when your lawful permanent residence began, as shown on your Permanent Resident Card. To help locate the date on your card, see the sample Permanent Resident Cards in the Guide. Write the date in this order: Month, Day,Year. For example, write August 9, 1988 as 08/09/1988.

D. Country of birth - Write the name of the country where you were born. Write the name of the country even if it no longer exists.

E. Country of nationality - Write the name of the country (or countries) where you are currently a citizen or national.

1. If you are stateless, write the name of the country where you were last a citizen or national.

2. If you are a citizen or national of more than one country, write the name of the foreign country that issued your last passport.

F. Citizenship of parents - Check ''Yes'' if either of your parents is a U.S. citizen. If you answer ''Yes,'' you may already be a citizen. For more information, see ''Frequently Asked Questions'' in the Guide.

G. Current marital status - Check the marital status you have on the date you are filing this application. If you are currently not married, but had a prior marriage that was annulled or otherwise legally terminated, check ''Other'' and explain it.

H. Request for disability waiver - If you have a medical disability or impairment that you believe qualifies you for a waiver of the tests of English and/or U.S. Government and history, check ''Yes'' and attach a properly completed Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. If you ask for this waiver, it does not guarantee that you will be excused from the testing requirements. For more information about this waiver, see the Guide.

I. Request for disability accommodations - We will make every reasonable effort to help applicants with disabilities complete the naturalization process. For example, if you use a wheelchair, we will make sure that you can be fingerprinted and interviewed, and can attend a naturalization ceremony at a location that is wheelchair accessible. If you are deaf or hearing impaired and need a sign language interpreter, we will make arrangements with you to have one at your interview.

If you believe you will need us to modify or change the naturalization process for you, check the box or write in the space the kind of accommodation you need. If you need more space, use a separate sheet of paper. You do not need to send us a Form N-648 to request an accommodation. You only need to send a Form N-648 to request a waiver of the test of English and/or civics.

We consider requests for accommodations on a case- by-case basis. Asking for an accommodation will not affect your eligibility for citizenship.

Part 4. Information About Contacting You.

A. Home address - Give the address where you now live. Do not put post office (P.O.) box numbers here.

B. Mailing address - If your mailing address is the same as your home address, write ''same.'' If your mailing address is different from your home address, write it in this part.

C. Telephone numbers - By giving us your telephone numbers and e-mail address, we can contact you about your application more quickly. If you are hearing impaired and use a TTY telephone connection, please indicate this by writing "(TTY)" after the telephone number.

Part 5. Information for Criminal Records Search.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will use the information in this section, together with your fingerprints, to search for criminal records. Although the results of this search may affect your eligibility, we do not make naturalization decisions based on your gender, race, or physical description.

For each item, check the box or boxes that best describes you. The categories are those used by the FBI. You can select one or more.

NOTE: As part of the USCIS biometric services requirement, you must be fingerprinted after you file this application. If necessary, USCIS may also take your photograph and signature.

Part 6. Information About Your Residence and Employment.

A. Write every address where you have lived during the last five years (including in other countries).

Begin with where you live now. Include the dates you lived in those places. For example, write May 1998 to June 1999 as 05/1998 to 06/1999.

If you need separate sheets of paper to complete section A or B or any other questions on this application, be sure to follow the Instructions in "Step 1. Fill Out the Form N-400, Number 2" on Page 2.

B. List where you have worked (or, if you were a student, the schools you have attended) during the last five years. Include military service. If you worked for yourself, write ''self employed.'' Begin with your most recent job. Also, write the dates when you worked or studied in each place.

Part 7. Time Outside the United States (Including Trips to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean).

A. Write the total number of days you spent outside of the United States (including on military service) during the last five years. Count the days of every trip that lasted 24 hours or longer.

B. Write the number of trips you have taken outside the United States during the last five years. Count every trip that lasted 24 hours or longer.

C. Provide the requested information for every trip that you have taken outside the United States since you became a Lawful Permanent Resident. Begin with your most recent trip.

Part 8. Information About Your Marital History.

A. Write the number of times you have been married. Include any annulled marriages. If you were married to the same spouse more than one time, count each time as a separate marriage.

B. If you are now married, provide information about your current spouse.

C. Check the box to indicate whether your current spouse is a U.S. citizen.

D. If your spouse is a citizen through naturalization, give the date and place of naturalization. If your spouse regained U.S. citizenship, write the date and place the citizenship was regained.

E. If your spouse is not a U.S. citizen, complete this section.

F. If you were married before, give information about your former spouse or spouses. In question F.2, check the box showing the immigration status your former spouse had during your marriage. If the spouse was not a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident at that time, check ''Other'' and explain. For question F.5, if your marriage was annulled, check ''Other'' and explain. If you were married to the same spouse more than one time, write about each marriage separately.

G. For any prior marriages of your current spouse, follow the instructions in section F above.

NOTE: If you or your present spouse had more than one prior marriage, provide the same information required by section F and section G about every additional marriage on a separate sheet of paper.

Part 9. Information About Your Children.

A. Write the total number of sons and daughters you have had. Count all of your children, regardless of whether they are:

1. Alive, missing, or dead;

2. Born in other countries or in the United States;

3. Under 18 years old or adults;

4. Married or unmarried;

5. Living with you or elsewhere;

6. Stepsons or stepdaughters or legally adopted; or

7. Born when you were not married.

B. Write information about all your sons and daughters. In the last column (''Location''), write:

1. "With me" - if the son or daughter is currently living with you;

2. The street address and state or country where the son or daughter lives - if the son or daughter is not currently living with you; or

3. "Missing" or "dead" - if that son or daughter is missing or dead.

If you need space to list information about additional sons and daughters, attach a separate sheet of paper.

Part 10. Additional Questions.

Answer each question by checking ''Yes'' or ''No.'' If any part of a question applies to you, you must answer ''Yes.'' For example, if you were never arrested but were once detained by a police officer, check ''Yes'' to the question ''Have you ever been arrested or detained by a law enforcement officer?'' and attach a written explanation.