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Form N-470: Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes
USCIS Form N-470 is the Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes, filed by lawful permanent residents who need to keep their residence eligibility while abroad. You must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one uninterrupted year before filing.
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USCIS Form N-470 - Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes
USCIS Form N-470 is the Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes, filed by lawful permanent residents who need to keep their residence eligibility while abroad. You must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one uninterrupted year before filing.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting the form without a handwritten signature leads to rejection.
- 2Leaving the signature line blank or using a stamped/typewritten name, causing automatic rejection.
- 3Omitting your A‑Number, which may result in USCIS rejecting the application.
- 4Failing to include your USCIS Online Account Number when you have an IOE receipt number.
- 5Not entering “N/A” for a missing Social Security Number, leaving the field empty.
Plain English
Form N-470 lets a permanent resident keep their eligibility for naturalization even if they must live outside the United States. By filing, they preserve the residence requirement needed for citizenship.
Submission Date
- Filing date: You must file before you have been absent from the United States for a continuous period of one year, and you must have already been physically present in the U.S. for at least one uninterrupted year after becoming a lawful permanent resident.
- 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 planning to leave the United States for certain employment purposes and want to preserve continuous residence for naturalization (Instructions p.1).
- Do not use it when you are not a lawful permanent resident or do not meet the residency requirements (Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site).
- Check Form G-1055 instead when you need the specific filing fee information for Form N-470 (Instructions p.2).
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Planning to preserve residence while abroad for employment
Application specifically preserves continuous residence for naturalization purposes
✓ Verify eligibility criteria before filing
Need to determine the filing fee amount
Provides the current fee schedule applicable to Form N-470
✓ Confirm fee matches the schedule on Form G-1055
Submitting required evidence and supporting documentation
All evidence must be attached as listed in the instructions
✓ Ensure every required document is included
Deadline or filing window
The filing window closes the moment you have been continuously absent from the United States for one year; you must submit Form N‑470 before that one‑year absence period is reached. No extension is provided.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
USCIS Online Account Number
Receipt number beginning with IOE or account profile · USCIS online account
U.S. Social Security Number
Social Security card or number · Social Security Administration records
Date of Birth
Birth certificate or passport · Personal records
Country of Birth
Birth certificate or passport · Personal records
Physical Address
Utility bill, lease, or other proof of residence · Personal documents
Before you submit
- 1Verify you have a valid handwritten signature or an acceptable scanned copy.
- 2Confirm all required evidence and supporting documentation are attached.
- 3Enter the USCIS Online Account Number only if you have a receipt number that begins with IOE.
- 4Provide your U.S. Social Security Number or write “N/A”.
- 5Enter your date of birth using eight digits in MM/DD/YYYY format.
- 6Provide a physical address; if no ZIP/Postal Code, enter 00000.
- 7Check the filing fee amount on Form G-1055 and include payment.
- 8Ensure you have not been absent from the United States for a continuous period of one year (unless you are a religious worker).
- 9Sign and date the form.
- 10Make a copy of the completed form for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Gather all required evidence and supporting documents.
- 2Complete every field on Form N-470, including the signature.
- 3Pay the filing fee as indicated on Form G-1055.
- 4Mail the completed Form N-470 and evidence to the filing address listed on the USCIS website.
- 5Retain the mailing receipt and tracking number as proof of filing.
Known limitations
- 1The form is only for lawful permanent residents (Instructions p.1).
- 2You must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one uninterrupted year after admission before filing, unless you are a religious worker (Instructions p.6).
- 3You cannot be absent from the United States for a continuous period of one year before filing, except for religious workers (Instructions p.6).
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Eligibility
1 items
Select: 5-year permanent resident, 3-year married to U.S. citizen, or military service.
Personal Info
3 items
Your name exactly as shown on your Green Card.
Found on your Green Card. Required.
MM/DD/YYYY from your Green Card.
Residence
2 items
All addresses for the past 5 years (or 3 years if married to U.S. citizen).
Calculate days outside the U.S. in the past 5 years — must total less than 30 months.
Moral Character
1 items
Answer questions about criminal history, taxes, and immigration violations honestly.
Signatures
1 items
Certifies all answers are true under penalty of perjury.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The instructions show a revision date of 04/01/24 and reference the USCIS website for the latest filing address information.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm 04/01/24 appears on the instructions (Instructions p.1).
- Fee — verify fee amount on Form G-1055 (Instructions p.2).
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site.
- Signature — confirm original handwritten signature or acceptable photocopy, fax, or scan (Instructions p.2).
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a complete copy of the filed Form N-470 and all attachments.
- 2Monitor your case status online through the USCIS website.
- 3Respond promptly to any biometric services appointment notice.
- 4If USCIS requests additional evidence, submit the requested documents quickly.
- 5If the application is denied, consider filing a new request or seeking legal advice.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — purpose of Form N-470 is for lawful permanent residents needing to preserve residence while abroad.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — filing fee information is found on Form G-1055.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — photocopied, faxed, or scanned signatures are acceptable for filing.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — USCIS Online Account Number is only available with receipt numbers beginning with IOE.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — provide U.S. Social Security Number or write “N/A”.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — date of birth must be entered as eight numbers in MM/DD/YYYY format.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — country of birth and citizenship must be typed even if names have changed.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — physical address requirements, including using 00000 if no ZIP/Postal Code.
- SRCInstructions p.6 — filing must occur before a continuous one‑year absence, unless religious worker.
- SRCInstructions p.6 — religious workers may file before, during, or after travel without the one‑year residency requirement.
- SRCInstructions p.7 — do not mail completed Form N-470 to the listed address; use the filing address on the USCIS website.
Common confusion points
Do I need to be in the U.S. to file?
The instructions say you do not have to be in the U.S. to file, but you must file before a one‑year continuous absence.
→ Verify you have not been absent for a continuous year.
What if I don’t have a USCIS Online Account Number?
The form states you only have an OAN if you have a receipt number beginning with IOE.
→ Leave the OAN field blank if you lack such a receipt.
How should I format my date of birth?
The instructions require eight digits in MM/DD/YYYY order.
→ Check the date format matches the example (05/01/1958).
What ZIP code do I use if I have none?
The form instructs to enter 00000 when no ZIP or Postal Code exists.
→ Enter 00000 in the ZIP/Postal Code box.
Do I need to include a fee payment if I’m filing online?
The instructions refer to Form G-1055 for fee information but do not specify online payment details.
→ Verify fee payment method on the USCIS website.
Can I submit a change of address with this form?
The instructions explicitly say not to submit a change of address request to the USCIS Lockbox.
→ Use the separate address change process on the USCIS website.
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Questions about USCIS Form N-470
What is USCIS Form N-470 used for?
Form N-470 lets a permanent resident keep their eligibility for naturalization even if they must live outside the United States. By filing, they preserve the residence requirement needed for citizenship.
Who must file USCIS Form N-470?
Lawful permanent residents who want to preserve their residence for naturalization, including religious workers who qualify for the special exception, must file USCIS Form N-470.
What information does USCIS Form N-470 require?
The form collects eligibility selection (Part 1) and personal data (Part 2) such as current legal name, other names, USCIS Online Account Number, Social Security number, date of birth, country of birth, citizenship, physical and mailing addresses, with extra space in Part 7 if needed.
When is USCIS Form N-470 due?
You must file before you have been absent from the United States for a continuous period of one year, and you must have already been physically present in the U.S. for at least one uninterrupted year after becoming a lawful permanent resident.
Where do I file USCIS Form N-470?
File the application to the address listed on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/N-470, which provides the current filing location.
How do I complete USCIS Form N-470?
Download the latest N‑470, complete Part 1 to indicate eligibility, then fill Part 2 with your personal information, including OAN if you have an IOE receipt number. Provide a handwritten signature (or a parent/guardian signature if under 14) and any required translator certification. Submit the completed form to the filing address shown on the USCIS website.
What happens if USCIS Form N-470 is filed incorrectly?
If the form is unsigned, missing required information, or lacks a valid A‑Number, USCIS will reject it and may not return the filing fee.
Do I need to be in the U.S. to file?
The instructions say you do not have to be in the U.S. to file, but you must file before a one‑year continuous absence. Verify you have not been absent for a continuous year.
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