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Official form guide
Form N-400: Application for Naturalization
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form N-400 is the Application for Naturalization that lawful permanent residents file to become U.S. citizens. You may not file more than 90 days before you complete the required residency period.
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USCIS Form N-400 - Application for Naturalization
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form N-400 is the Application for Naturalization that lawful permanent residents file to become U.S. citizens. You may not file more than 90 days before you complete the required residency period.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Filing the N-400 more than 90 days before meeting the residency requirement triggers automatic rejection.
- 2Submitting the form earlier than 90 days before completing the residency period.
- 3Omitting the date you became a lawful permanent resident or your A-Number.
- 4Providing an incomplete or invalid mailing address.
- 5Using a stamped or typed signature instead of a handwritten one.
Plain English
Form N-400 lets a green-card holder apply to become a U.S. citizen. You fill it out, sign it, and send it to USCIS. The agency reviews your eligibility and schedules an interview.
Submission Date
- Filing date: You must file no earlier than 90 days before you complete the required residency period.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you are a lawful permanent resident applying for naturalization under any eligibility category listed in Part 1.
- Do not use it when you are not a lawful permanent resident and do not qualify under an alternative category such as VAWA spouse, citizen spouse employed abroad, or military service.
- Check Form G-1055 instead when you need to determine the correct filing fee.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Need to know the exact filing fee
Provides the current fee schedule for Form N‑400
✓ Verify fee amount matches the form version
Seeking fee waiver eligibility
Contains instructions for requesting a fee waiver for naturalization
✓ Confirm you meet waiver criteria before proceeding
Confirming payment method options
Lists acceptable payment methods for the filing fee
✓ Ensure your chosen method is allowed
Deadline or filing window
The filing window opens when you are within 90 days of completing the required residency period, and you may submit the N-400 any time after that point up to the day you finish the period. The source does not mention any extension beyond this rule.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Signature
Handwritten ink signature on the form · Your original signature on the completed form
USCIS Online Account Number (OAN)
Number from receipt with IOE prefix or account profile · Online account receipt or Account Access Notice
Date of Permanent Residence
Date you became a lawful permanent resident · Permanent Resident Card (I‑551) or admission record
Height
Feet and inches values (e.g., 5'09") · Self‑measured or personal knowledge
Weight
Weight in pounds or “000” if unknown · Self‑measured or personal knowledge
Before you submit
- 1Verify eligibility box in Part 1 matches your situation
- 2Enter your USCIS Online Account Number only if you have an IOE receipt
- 3Provide your A‑Number and the exact date you became a lawful permanent resident
- 4Enter height in feet and inches and weight in pounds, using “000” if unknown
- 5Select race/ethnicity boxes as described in the instructions
- 6Attach all required supporting documents and evidence at the time of filing
- 7Pay the filing fee as specified in Form G‑1055
- 8Sign the form with a handwritten ink signature; do not use a stamp or typed name
- 9If filing as a VAWA spouse, list every residence from the past three years
- 10If filing as a citizen spouse employed abroad or based on military service, list only your current residence
- 11Check that any photocopied or scanned signature is a clear image of the original
- 12Retain a copy of the completed form and all submitted evidence
How to file this form
- 1Complete Part 1 to identify the eligibility category that applies
- 2Gather all supporting documents and evidence required for your eligibility
- 3Determine the filing fee using Form G‑1055 and prepare payment
- 4Sign the form with a handwritten ink signature (or a clear scanned copy)
- 5Submit the completed Form N‑400 and all evidence by mail or through your USCIS online account
- 6Keep the receipt notice or mailing confirmation as proof of filing
Known limitations
- 1Application is rejected if a lawful permanent resident does not provide the date of permanent residence
- 2USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a handwritten signature
- 3The form cannot be used by individuals who are not lawful permanent residents and do not meet an alternative eligibility category (e.g., VAWA spouse, citizen spouse abroad, military service)
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Part 1
1 items
Select the basis for eligibility: 5-year permanent resident, 3-year married to US citizen, military service, etc.
Part 2
2 items
Your name exactly as on your Green Card.
Found on your Green Card. Required.
Part 3
1 items
Have you been a permanent resident for 5 years (or 3 if married to US citizen)?
Part 5
1 items
Calculate days outside the US in the past 5 years. Must total less than 30 months.
Part 10
1 items
Questions about criminal history, taxes, immigration violations. Answer all honestly.
Part 12
1 items
Certifies all answers are true under penalty of perjury.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Edition date — 01/20/25; the instructions are the latest version as indicated by the header; no change details are provided.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the header reads 01/20/25
- Fee — see Form G-1055 for the applicable amount
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source
- Signature — ensure a handwritten ink signature; stamped or typewritten names are not accepted
- Photocopy of signature — confirm any scanned copy is of the original handwritten signature
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain a complete copy of the submitted Form N‑400 and all supporting documents
- 2Keep the receipt notice or online submission confirmation for your records
- 3Await the Biometric Services Appointment notice and attend the appointment
- 4Prepare for the naturalization interview, where USCIS may request any missing evidence
- 5If an error is discovered, contact the USCIS Contact Center to correct the filing
- 6Monitor your case status online using your receipt number
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.2 — purpose of Form N-400 is an application to become a naturalized U.S.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — USCIS accepts a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original handwritten signature as valid for filing.
- SRCInstructions p.5 — USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — filing fee information is found in Form G-1055.
- SRCInstructions p.5 — eligibility box 1.A applies to lawful permanent residents of at least 5 years.
- SRCInstructions p.7 — USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) is only available for receipts beginning with IOE.
- SRCInstructions p.7 — applicants must provide the date they became a lawful permanent resident.
- SRCInstructions p.10 — height must be entered in feet and inches, not meters or centimeters.
- SRCInstructions p.10 — weight must be entered in pounds; use “000” if unknown.
- SRCInstructions p.10 — VAWA spouse filing requires listing every residence from the last 3 years.
Common confusion points
Do I need to list every address I lived at in the last 3 years?
VAWA spouse instructions require all locations, while other categories may not.
→ Verify your filing category and follow the address listing rule for that category.
Can I use a typed name instead of a signature?
USCIS does not accept stamped or typewritten names.
→ Ensure you sign with a handwritten ink signature (or a clear scanned copy).
What if I don’t have a USCIS Online Account Number?
OAN exists only for receipts beginning with IOE.
→ Leave the OAN field blank if you have no IOE receipt.
How should I enter my height?
Instructions specify feet and inches, not metric.
→ Enter feet in the first box and inches in the second box.
What weight should I enter if I’m unsure?
Instructions say use “000” for unknown weight.
→ Enter “000” when you cannot provide an exact weight.
Do I need to provide the filing fee on the form?
Fee amount is not listed on the form; it is detailed in Form G‑1055.
→ Refer to Form G‑1055 for the correct fee amount before submitting.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
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⚠ If something goes wrong
Questions about USCIS Form N-400
What is USCIS Form N-400 used for?
Form N-400 lets a green-card holder apply to become a U.S. citizen. You fill it out, sign it, and send it to USCIS. The agency reviews your eligibility and schedules an interview.
Who must file USCIS Form N-400?
Lawful permanent residents who want to become U.S. citizens must file USCIS Form N-400.
What information does USCIS Form N-400 require?
The form gathers the applicant’s contact details, A-Number, date of lawful permanent residence, interpreter information (Part 12), preparer information (Part 13), additional data (Part 14), and signatures (Parts 15‑16).
When is USCIS Form N-400 due?
You must file no earlier than 90 days before you complete the required residency period.
How do I complete USCIS Form N-400?
First, complete the applicant’s contact information and provide your A-Number and residency date. Then fill Part 12 if you use an interpreter, Part 13 if another person prepares the form, and Part 14 for any additional information. Sign the form in Part 15 and, after approval, take the Oath of Allegiance in Part 16. All signatures must be handwritten; typed names are not accepted.
What happens if USCIS Form N-400 is filed incorrectly?
USCIS may reject the N-400 if you file too early, omit the permanent-resident date or A-Number, provide an incomplete mailing address, or use a stamped or typed signature.
Do I need to list every address I lived at in the last 3 years?
VAWA spouse instructions require all locations, while other categories may not. Verify your filing category and follow the address listing rule for that category.
Can I use a typed name instead of a signature?
USCIS does not accept stamped or typewritten names. Ensure you sign with a handwritten ink signature (or a clear scanned copy).
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