⚠ General information only — not legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation.
USCIS · Form N-400
Application for Naturalization
Apply to become a US citizen through naturalization.
Filing fee
$760 for most applicants. Free for military members filing under INA sections 328 or 329. Fee waiver available on Form I-912 for qualifying low-income applicants.
Processing time
8 to 24 months depending on your USCIS field office. Check the USCIS processing times tool for current estimates at your specific office.
Filed with
USCIS — file online through myUSCIS or by mail to the lockbox facility listed in the instructions for your state.
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Overview
Form N-400 is the application to become a United States citizen through naturalization — the legal process by which someone who was not born a US citizen voluntarily acquires citizenship. Naturalization is the culmination of years of living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident.
Naturalized citizens enjoy all the rights of citizenship — including the right to vote in federal, state, and local elections, the ability to obtain a US passport, protection from deportation, access to certain federal jobs and benefits, and the ability to petition for a wider range of family members.
The naturalization process involves submitting the N-400, attending a biometrics appointment, completing an interview that includes an English test and civics test, and if approved, attending an oath ceremony where you formally swear allegiance to the United States.
Not everyone is required to take the English test. Applicants 50 years or older who have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years, or 55 or older with at least 15 years, are exempt from the English requirement though not the civics test. Applicants with qualifying disabilities may apply for a medical exception.
Who needs Form N-400?
Lawful permanent residents with 5 years continuous permanent residence (3 years if married to and living with a US citizen for those 3 years). Must meet physical presence, good moral character, English, and civics requirements.
What does Form N-400 do?
If approved, grants US citizenship through naturalization — including the right to vote, a US passport, protection from deportation, and the ability to sponsor a wider range of family members.
Key requirements
✓5 years continuous permanent residence (3 years if married to a US citizen throughout)
✓Physical presence in the US for at least 30 months of the 5-year period (18 months for 3-year path)
✓Continuous residence in the same USCIS district or state for 3 months before filing
✓Good moral character for the statutory period and through the oath ceremony
✓Ability to read, write, and speak basic English (with exceptions for age and disability)
✓Pass the civics test — 6 of 10 randomly selected questions from the official 100-question list
Common mistakes to avoid
⚠Filing too early — count continuous residence and physical presence days carefully
⚠Extended trips abroad of 6 months or more — these can break continuous residence
⚠Not studying all 100 civics questions — officers can ask any of them
⚠Failing to disclose all prior arrests or criminal history, even dismissed charges
⚠Not updating USCIS with your current address after filing
⚠Not bringing the right documents to the interview — bring originals of everything you submitted copies of
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Processing details
After submitting N-400, USCIS sends a receipt notice and schedules a biometrics appointment within a few weeks. The interview is typically scheduled several months after filing.
At the interview, a USCIS officer reviews your N-400, conducts the English test (reading, writing, and speaking), administers the civics test (10 questions from the 100-question list, must answer 6 correctly), and reviews your background and moral character.
If you pass all components, USCIS may approve at the interview or mail the approval later. You will then receive a notice scheduling your oath ceremony — this may happen the same day or weeks later.
At the oath ceremony, you take the Oath of Allegiance, receive your Certificate of Naturalization, and officially become a US citizen. Surrender your green card at the ceremony. After, you can apply for a US passport using your Certificate of Naturalization.
After you file
After filing N-400, continue to maintain good moral character — avoid any legal issues and be honest on all government forms during this period.
Study the 100 civics questions regularly. USCIS publishes the official list at uscis.gov/citizenship. Free study apps and practice tests are also available.
Update your address with USCIS immediately if you move — file Form AR-11 or update through myUSCIS. Missing a notice can result in your case being closed.
Once you receive your oath ceremony notice, check the list of required documents. You will surrender your green card at the ceremony — do not renew it while N-400 is pending.
Common situations
Married to a US citizen for 3 years
If you have been a permanent resident for 3 years and married to and living with the same US citizen throughout, you qualify for the expedited 3-year path. You must still meet physical presence requirements (18 months) and pass the English and civics tests.
Military service member
US military members serving honorably during a period of hostility designated by the President can apply without the standard 5-year residence requirement. Some can apply after just 1 year of service. There is no filing fee for military naturalization.
Long-term resident who traveled frequently
If you traveled extensively and any single trip lasted 6 months or more, you may have issues with continuous residence. A trip of exactly 6 months creates a presumption of broken residence — rebut it with evidence of maintained US ties. Trips of 1 year or more break continuous residence outright.
Frequently asked questions
How do I count the 30 months of physical presence?
Count every day you were physically inside the United States during the 5-year period. Days abroad do not count. You need at least 913 days (30 months) for the 5-year path, or 548 days (18 months) for the 3-year path. Keep records of all international travel — USCIS will ask about every trip.
Will a DUI prevent me from getting citizenship?
It depends on the nature and timing of the offense. A single DUI without aggravating factors does not automatically bar citizenship, but it raises good moral character concerns. More serious convictions — particularly aggravated felonies — permanently bar naturalization. Consult an immigration attorney before filing if you have any criminal history.
Can I travel while my N-400 is pending?
Yes, you can travel. However, be cautious about extended trips — a trip of 6 months or more while your N-400 is pending raises questions about continuous residence. USCIS may question whether you maintained continuous residence. Keep trips short.
What happens if I fail the civics or English test?
If you fail one or both tests, USCIS will schedule you for a second interview within 60–90 days. At the second interview, you only need to retake the test(s) you failed. If you fail again, your N-400 will be denied and you can reapply.
Do I need to give up my current citizenship?
The US does not require you to renounce your other citizenship as part of naturalization — you take an oath that includes renouncing allegiance to foreign sovereigns, but the US does not enforce this by requiring proof of renunciation. However, your other country may consider you to have lost their citizenship. Check the laws of your home country.
Can I apply if I owe back taxes?
Owing back taxes can affect your good moral character determination. It is not an automatic bar, but USCIS may consider it negatively. If you owe back taxes, enter into a payment plan with the IRS and document your compliance. Consult an immigration attorney before filing.
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Official USCIS page for Form N-400
Always download the latest version of the form directly from the official source.