Fill Form N-400 online
Application for Naturalization
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Form N-400 in short
Form N-400 is the application to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization. Permanent residents who meet the residence, physical presence, and other requirements use it. After filing you attend biometrics and an interview with English and civics tests.
| Issued by | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) |
|---|---|
| Current version | Edition 01/20/25 (checked 2026-10-25) |
| Who fills it in | Lawful permanent residents who meet the eligibility rules, generally after 5 years as a permanent resident, or 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen, plus certain military applicants and others listed in Part 1. |
| Who receives it | USCIS. |
| Where to send it | File online through a USCIS online account, or mail a paper form to the address on the Direct Filing Addresses for Form N-400 page. If you request a fee waiver or reduced fee, you must file on paper. |
| Deadline | You may file up to 90 days before you complete the 5-year or 3-year continuous residence requirement. USCIS rejects applications filed too early. |
| Fee | $760 paper filing, $710 online filing. Reduced fee of $380 on paper if your household income is not more than 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. $0 for certain military applicants under INA 328 or 329, or with an approved fee waiver (Form G-1055 Fee Schedule, edition 10/16/26, checked 2026-10-25). Mailed filings are paid by card (Form G-1450) or bank ACH (Form G-1650) unless you qualify for the paper payment exemption (Form G-1651). |
| Official links | Official page · Official PDF · Official instructions |
How to fill out Form N-400, line by line
| Part 1 | Information about your eligibility Select only one box for the basis of your application, such as 5 years as a permanent resident or 3 years married to a U.S. citizen. Selecting more than one or none may delay or cause rejection. |
| Part 2 | Information about you Your name, A-Number, date of birth, and the date you became a permanent resident. USCIS rejects the form without a date of birth and may reject it without the permanent resident date. |
| Part 3 | Biographic information Ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye color, and hair color. |
| Part 4 | Information about your residence List where you have lived for the required period. A complete, valid mailing address is required or USCIS may reject the form. |
| Parts 5 and 6 | Marital history and children Details of your current and prior marriages, your spouse, and all of your children. |
| Part 7 | Employment and schools you attended Your jobs and schools for the required period, including unemployment and self-employment. |
| Part 8 | Time outside the United States List all trips outside the United States during the last 5 years, or 3 years if filing based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. |
| Part 9 | Additional information about you Yes or no questions on topics such as criminal history, taxes, Selective Service, and military service. If you answer yes, explain and attach the documents listed in the instructions. |
| Part 10 | Request for a fee reduction Select No and skip ahead if you pay the full fee. Select Yes and complete the rest of Part 10 if you qualify for the reduced fee. |
| Part 11 | Applicant's certification and signature Sign and date the form. USCIS rejects unsigned applications. Parts 15 and 16 are completed later, at the interview and oath. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing more than 90 days before meeting the continuous residence requirement. USCIS rejects early filings.
- Not signing the application or sending the wrong fee. USCIS rejects either one.
- Leaving out your date of birth or the date you became a permanent resident.
- Selecting more than one eligibility box in Part 1, or none.
- Giving an incomplete or invalid mailing address.
- Trying to file online with a fee waiver or reduced fee request. Those must be filed on paper.
- Leaving out trips outside the United States or arrests, including ones with no charges or that were expunged. The checklist asks for records for each.
Questions about Form N-400
Can I file Form N-400 online?
Yes, if you pay the full fee. Fee waiver and reduced fee requests must be filed on paper.
How much is the N-400 fee?
$760 on paper or $710 online. The reduced fee is $380 on paper for eligible applicants, and some applicants qualify for a fee waiver with Form I-912.
How early can I file?
Up to 90 days before you complete the 5-year or 3-year continuous residence requirement. You must meet all other requirements when you file.
My Green Card is expiring. Do I need to renew it?
A properly filed N-400 receipt notice extends your Green Card for 2 years from its expiration date. If you lose your card, you generally still need to file Form I-90.
Do I need to send photos?
Generally no. Photos are required if you live outside the United States in certain categories, and USCIS may ask for photos later.
What if a disability prevents me from taking the English or civics test?
You can submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, completed by a medical professional.
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Sources
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-25. PDF Editor Hub is not affiliated with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
- https://www.uscis.gov/n-400
- https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/n-400.pdf
- https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/n-400instr.pdf
- https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/direct-filing-addresses-for-form-n-400-application-for-naturalization
- https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055
- https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf
- https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/forms-available-to-file-online