How Do You Apply for Naturalization With Form N-400?
Naturalization with Form N-400 starts with the eligibility track and the fee fork: full fee $760 on paper or $710 online, reduced fee $380 on paper only, or a fee waiver on paper only. File 90 days early on the 5-year or 3-year-spouse basis.
Naturalization with Form N-400 in one table
| Question | USCIS rule |
|---|---|
| What it is | Naturalization is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen if born outside the United States. Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is the application. |
| Form edition | 01/20/25. The edition date sits at the bottom of the form and instructions pages. If completing and printing the form to mail, make sure the edition date and page numbers are visible at the bottom of all pages and all pages are from the same edition, or USCIS may reject the form. |
| 5-year track | At least 18 when submitting Form N-400; a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years; continuous residence for at least 5 years immediately before filing; physically present at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately before filing; lived at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district of residence, with a student financially dependent on parents able to apply where they go to school or where the family lives. Plus the good moral character, English language, civics, and oath requirements, whose details are on the USCIS eligibility pages. The 3-year spouse track exists as a separate track; its full requirements are on the USCIS eligibility pages and are not enumerated here. |
| Early filing | An applicant may file 90 calendar days before completing the continuous-residence requirement if eligibility is based on 5 years as a permanent resident or 3 years married to a U.S. citizen. |
| Filing routes | Online through a USCIS online account, or by mail on paper. Attorneys and accredited representatives may use an online representative account. |
| Biometrics | N-400 applicants must generally submit biometrics unless waived. An Application Support Center appointment notice is issued, and the ASC photograph may be used on the Certificate of Naturalization. |
The fee fork decides the filing route
Choose the fee fork first, because it decides whether online filing is available. Full fee: select No in Part 10, Item Number 1, skip to Part 11, and submit $760 if filing by paper or $710 if filing online. Reduced fee: select Yes in Part 10, Item Number 1, complete the rest of Part 10, and submit $380 plus documentation to support the reduced fee. Reduced-fee requests cannot file online; paper filing only. Fee waiver: do not complete Part 10, Item Number 1, submit no fee, and instead submit a properly completed Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or a written request, plus documentation to support the waiver request. Fee-waiver requests cannot file online; paper filing only. The fee figures were checked against the USCIS fee schedule page on October 29, 2026; the October 16, 2026 fee-schedule edition's changed-forms list does not include Form N-400.
Filing online or by mail
Filing online requires a USCIS online account, which also allows paying the fee online, checking case status, receiving notifications and case updates, viewing personalized case-completion estimates, responding to requests for evidence, and managing contact information including address updates. Filing by mail: USCIS mails an Account Acceptance Notice with instructions to create an online account to track and manage the case; the application is processed even without an account, but mailed copies of notifications continue. Check the Direct Filing Addresses for Form N-400 page for where to mail the application; filing at the wrong address may delay processing. Do not forget to sign the form: USCIS rejects any unsigned form.
Documents and the checklist
Do not submit the checklist with the form, and do not send original documents unless specifically requested in the form instructions or applicable regulations. Foreign-language documents need a full English translation plus a certification from the translator verifying the translation is complete and accurate and the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language into English. All applicants provide, where applicable: a copy of both sides of the Permanent Resident Card; Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, if a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment prevents meeting the English language or civics requirements; the current marriage certificate plus divorce, annulment, or death certificates showing prior marriages were terminated; good-moral-character evidence, including arrest, conviction, and court records where the applicant has ever been arrested, detained, convicted, or placed in an alternative sentence program; continuous-residence and physical-presence evidence for trips outside the United States lasting more than 6 months but less than 1 year; and Selective Service evidence where applicable. Traffic incidents need documentation only if the incident involved alcohol or drugs, led to an arrest, or seriously injured another person.
The Green Card extension on filing
Effective December 12, 2022, a properly filed Form N-400 receipt notice automatically extends the Green Card for 2 years, 24 months, from the Card Expires date and, presented with the card, serves as proof of lawful permanent resident status. A lost Green Card generally still requires Form I-90 even after applying for naturalization, and a destroyed or lost receipt notice generally requires Form I-90 to renew an expiring card.
The process, step by step
- Confirm the eligibility track on the USCIS eligibility pages and check naturalization eligibility before filing. This guide covers the 5-year track; the 3-year spouse track has its own requirements on the same pages.
- Use the 90-day early-filing rule only as stated. Ninety calendar days before completing the continuous-residence requirement, on the 5-year or 3-year-spouse basis.
- Choose the fee fork first. Full fee, reduced fee at $380, or fee waiver with Form I-912. Reduced-fee and fee-waiver requests file on paper only.
- Complete Form N-400, edition 01/20/25, all pages from the same edition with the edition date and page numbers visible, and sign it. An unsigned form is rejected. Attach Form G-1145 clipped to the first page for e-notification if filing by mail.
- Gather the checklist documents without sending originals unless requested, with certified English translations for foreign-language documents.
- File online through a USCIS online account or by mail to the Direct Filing Addresses page address. Keep the receipt notice with the Green Card as the 24-month extension proof where applicable.
What this guide does not state
The 50/20 and 55/15 English and civics exception thresholds are not stated. The full 3-year-spouse requirement list is not enumerated. Processing times are not stated.
Source
- USCIS, Application for Naturalization, Form N-400
- USCIS, G-1055 Fee Schedule
- USCIS, 5-year lawful permanent resident naturalization eligibility
- USCIS, Additional Information on Filing a Reduced Fee Request
- USCIS, Poverty Guidelines
Facts verified 2026-10-29.
This page explains how the process works and what the official rules say. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. For advice about a specific situation, talk to a qualified professional or the agency.
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