N-400 Document Checklist and Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet

M-477, M-480

Document checklist for items to include with N-400 application

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M-477

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Document Checklist
All applicants must send the following 3 items with their N-400 application:
1.

photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as the Alien Registration Card or “Green Card”).
□ IfA you
have lost the card, submit a photocopy of the receipt of your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident
Card; and

A check or money order for the application fee and the biometric services fee, as stated in the M-479, Current Naturalization
□ Fees,
enclosure in the Guide.(Applicants 75 years of age or older are exempted from the biometrics services fee). Write your
A-Number on the back of the check or money order.

You may also pay using a credit card. There is no additional fee when you do so. The N-400 is the only form that you can
pay for by credit card using the G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transaction. Check www.uscis.gov for more specific
information.

f you reside outside the United States, 2 identical color photographs, with your name and Alien Registration Number
□ I(A-Number)
written lightly in pencil on the back of each photo. For details about the photo requirements, see Part 5 of Form
M-476, A Guide to Naturalization, and the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization instructions. If your religion requires
you to wear a head covering, your facial features must still be exposed in the photo for purposes of identification.

Send copies of the following documents, unless we ask for an original.
If an attorney or accredited representative is acting on your behalf, send:

□ A completed original Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative.
If your current legal name is different from the name on your Permanent Resident Card, send:
□ The document(s) that legally changed your name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court document).
If you are applying for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen, send the following 4 items:
1. □ Evidence that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the last 3 years:

a. Birth certificate (if your spouse never lost citizenship since birth); or

b. Certificate of Naturalization; or

c. Certificate of Citizenship; or

d. The inside of the front cover and signature page of your spouse’s current U.S. passport; or

e. Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America; and

□ Your current marriage certificate; and
3. □ Proof of termination of all prior marriages of your spouse (divorce decree(s), annulment(s), or death certificate(s)); and
4. □ Documents referring to you and your spouse:
2.

a. Tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages, or birth certificates of children; or

b. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you both filed for the past 3 years; or

c. An IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years.

If you were married before, send:

□ Proof that all earlier marriages ended (divorce decree(s), annulment(s), or death certificates(s)).
If you are currently in the U.S. military service and are seeking citizenship based on that service, send:
□ A completed original Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service.
Form M-477 (Rev. 11/21/2016 N)

If you have taken any trip outside the United States that lasted 6 months or more since becoming a Lawful Permanent
Resident, send evidence that you (and your family) continued to live, work and/or keep ties to the United States, such as:

An IRS tax return “transcript” or an IRS-certified tax return listing tax information for the last 5 years (or for the last 3 years if
□
you are applying on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen).
□ Rent or mortgage payments and pay stubs.
If you have a dependent spouse or child(ren) who do not live with you, send:
□ Any court or government order to provide financial support; and
□ Evidence of your financial support (including evidence that you have complied with any court or government order), such as:

a. Cancelled checks;

b. Money and receipts;

c. A court or agency printout of child support payments;

d. Evidence of wage garnishments;

e. A letter from the parent or guardian who cares for your child(ren).

If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and no charges were filed, send:

□ An original official statement by the arresting agency or applicant court confirming that no charges were filed.
If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and charges were filed, send:
An original or court-certified copy of the complete arrest record and disposition for each incident (dismissal order, conviction
□
record or acquittal order).
If you have ever been convicted or placed in an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program (such as a drug
treatment or community service program), send:

□
□

An original or court-certified copy of the sentencing record for each incident; and
Evidence that you completed your sentence:

a. An original or certified copy of your probation or parole record; or

b. Evidence that you completed an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program.

If you have ever had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged or otherwise removed from your record,
send:

An original or court-certified copy of the court order vacating, setting aside, sealing, expunging or otherwise removing the arrest
□
or conviction, or an original statement from the court that no record exists of your arrest or conviction.

NOTE: If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, you may send any countervailing evidence or evidence in your favor
concerning the circumstances of your arrest and/or conviction that you would like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to
consider.
If you have ever failed to file an income tax return since you became a Lawful Permanent Resident, send:

□ All correspondence with the IRS regarding your failure to file.
If you have any Federal, state or local taxes that are overdue, send:
A signed agreement from the IRS or state or local tax office showing that you have filed a tax return and arranged to pay the
□
taxes you owe; and
□ Documentation from the IRS or state or local tax office showing the current status of your repayment program.

NOTE: You may obtain copies of tax documents and tax information by contacting your local IRS offices, using the Blue
Pages of your telephone directory, or through its Web site at www.irs.gov.
If you are applying for a disability exception to the testing requirement, send:

An original Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, completed less than 6 months ago by a licensed
□
medical or osteopathic doctor or licensed clinical psychologist.
If you did not register with the Selective Service and you (1) are male, (2) are 26 years old or older, and (3) lived in the United
States in a status other than as a lawful nonimmigrant between the ages of 18 and 26, send:

□

A “Status Information Letter” from the Selective Service (Call 1-847-688-6888 for more information).
Form M-477 (Rev. 11/21/2016 N) Page 2

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

M-479

Current Naturalization Fees
The fee for filing your naturalization application is:*

$640.00

The biometric services fee is:**

$ 85.00

Total:

$725.00

You must send the $725.00 fee with your application. Pay the fee with a check or money order drawn
on a U.S. bank payable to the Department of Homeland Security. Do not use the initials DHS or
USDHS. Do Not Send Cash.
You may also pay using a credit card. There is no additional fee when you do so. The N-400 is the only
form that you can pay for by credit card using the G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transaction.
Check www.uscis.gov for more specific information.

Residents of Guam should make the fee payable to the “Treasurer, Guam,” and residents of
the U.S. Virgin Islands should make the fee payable to the “Commissioner of Finance of the
Virgin Islands.”
USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide fingerprints, photograph, and/or
signature at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background
and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application.
Remember that your application fee is not refundable even if you withdraw your application
or if your case is denied.

* If you are applying for naturalization based on your own service in the Armed Forces of the United
States, no filing fee is required.
** If you are 75 years or older, or if you are filing on the basis of your service in the Armed Forces
of the United States, do not send the biometric services fee for fingerprinting with your application.

Form M-479 (Rev. 12/23/16)N

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

M-480

Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet
Instructions
What Is the Purpose of This Worksheet?
The attached “Eligibility Worksheet” will help you decide if you are eligible to apply for naturalization. Do not send the
completed worksheet to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Who Should Complete This Worksheet?

If you are 18 years of age or older and are thinking about applying for naturalization based on your years as a Permanent
Resident, you should complete this worksheet.

Who Should Not Use This Worksheet?

You should not use this worksheet to decide your eligibilty to apply if you are:

18 years of age and want to apply for naturalization based on your parents’ or adopted parents’
• Under
citizenship (see Questions 25 and 26 on pages 13-15 in A Guide to Naturalization for information on how
to obtain citizenship).

Permanent Resident whose spouse was a U.S. citizen who died while on active duty in the U.S.
• AArmed
Forces (see pages 18 and 19 in A Guide to Naturalization for information on your naturalization
requirements).

for naturalization based on active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces (see pages 18 and 19 in A
• Applying
Guide to Naturalization for information on your naturalization requirements).
of a U.S. citizen who is (a) a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, (b) an employee or contractor of
• Athespouse
U.S. Government, (c) an employee of an American institution of research, (d) an employee of an American
owned ﬁrm, (e) an employee of a public international organization, or (f) a clergy member (see pages 20 and
21 in A Guide to Naturalization for more information).

Directions for the Eligibility Worksheet:
1. Answer the questions on the worksheet by checking “True” or “Not True.” If you answer “Not True” to
certain questions, you may be asked to answer additional questions on pages 3 and 4. Most applicants will
not need to answer the questions on pages 3 and 4.
2. If you have completed the worksheet and believe you are eligible for naturalization, please call the USCIS
Forms Line (1-800-870-3676) to request an application (Form N-400), or download the form from the
Internet at www.uscis.gov.
3. If you have completed the worksheet and you still have questions regarding your eligibility, you
should read A Guide to Naturalization. You may also wish to get advice from an immigrant assistance
organization or immigration attorney.

Form M-480 (Rev. 06/15/06)N

Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet
True

Not True
STOP

1. I am at least 18 years old.
2. I am a Permanent Resident

of the United States, and I have been issued a
Permanent Resident Card (formerly
called Alien Registration Card).
STOP

3. I have been a Permanent Resident for:

ﬁve years
or more*

three to ﬁve
years*

You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.
Exception: You do not
need to be at least 18
years old for military naturalization under section
329 of the INA.
You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.

less than
three years
STOP

See Attachment A
on Page 3

True

You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.

Not True

4. During the last ﬁve years, I have not

STOP

For exceptions, see
Attachment B on page 3.

5. During the last ﬁve years (or the last three

STOP

For exceptions, see
Attachment C on page 3.

6. I have resided in the district or state in

STOP

7. I can read, write and speak basic English.

STOP

For exceptions, see
Attachment D on page 4.

8. I know the fundamentals of U.S. history

STOP

For exceptions, see
Attachment E on page 4.

been out of the United States for 30
months or more.

years if I qualify under Attachment A),
I have not taken a trip out of the
United States that lasted one year or more.

which I am applying for citizenship for
the last three months.

and the form and principles of the U.S.
government.

You must wait until you
have lived in the state or
district for three months
to apply.

Go to Question 9.

*Naturalization applicants may ﬁle their applications 90 days before they have satisﬁed the “continuous residence” requirement.
Form M-480 (Rev. 03/31/06)N Page 1

Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet
9.

I am a person of good moral character.

True

Not True
STOP

You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.

STOP

You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.

STOP

You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.

STOP

You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.

STOP

You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.

14. I will support the Constitution of the
United States.

STOP

You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.

15. I understand and am willing to take an oath
of allegiance to the United States.

STOP

You are not eligible to
apply for naturalization.

10. One of the following is true:
(a) I am female, or
(b) I am a male registered with the Selective
Service, or
(c) I am a male who did not enter the United States
under any status until after my 26th birthday, or
(d) or
I am a male who was in the United States
the who
ageswas
of 18
26 but States
who did
(d) between
I am a male
in and
the United
not register
between
thewith
agesthe
of Selective
18 and 26Service,
but whoand
did
Inot
willregister
send awith
“Status
Information
Letter”
from
the Selective Service, and I
the send
Selective
Service
explaining
why Ifrom
did not
will
a “Status
Information
Letter”
register
with my
application.
the
Selective
Service
explaining why I did not
(e) register
I am a male
who
was
in the United States
with my application.
between the ages of 18 and 26 as a lawful
nonimmigrant.
11. I have never deserted from the U.S.
Armed Forces.
12. I have never received an exemption or
discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces on
the grounds that I am an alien.

13. I am willing to perform either military or
civilian service for the United States if required
by law. (NOTE: If your religious teachings and
beliefs prohibit you from performing military
service, you must be willing to perform
non-military service.)

STOP HERE: You are probably eligible to apply for naturalization. Please call the Forms Line (1-800-870-3676)
for an “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400) and be sure to read A Guide to Naturalization.
Form M-480 (Rev. 06/04/12
06/15/06)N Page 2

Attachment A - Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet
I have been a Permanent Resident for three to ﬁve years
True

Not True

I am married to, and living with, a U.S.
citizen.

STOP