N-400 Document Checklist for Naturalization

The appliance to use for U.S. citizenship by way of naturalization, formally often called Type N-400, Software for Naturalization, is among the longest and most detailed kinds that almost all immigrants will ever use. Nevertheless, with slightly preparation, you may full the applying by yourself. There are a number of supporting paperwork that you just’ll have to submit with the N-400 utility or have obtainable for reference. We’ve put collectively an N-400 doc guidelines and an outline that addresses the continuously requested questions on these paperwork. As soon as you’re ready, filling out the U.S. citizenship utility generally is a fast course of.

After you’ve gone by way of the N-400 doc guidelines, make sure to evaluate a few of the most typical methods Type N-400 get denied.

Everlasting Resident Card (Inexperienced Card)

USCIS requires N-400 candidates to have a legitimate, unexpired inexperienced card. You’ll typically have to submit a photocopy of your card along with your N-400 utility. Though many candidates with a misplaced, stolen or mutilated inexperienced card have efficiently obtained citizenship utilizing CitizenPath, we suggest that you’ve got a legitimate, unexpired inexperienced card in your possession. Everlasting residents are required by regulation to hold proof of standing (INA 264(e)).

What’s extra, you might want a inexperienced card whereas ready to turn out to be a U.S. citizen. In the course of the 8 to 12 months it takes to naturalize, it’s essential to have a inexperienced card for a number of different functions reminiscent of:

• Verifying your proper to work within the U.S.
• Reentering the U.S. after journey overseas
• Qualifying for a house mortgage
• Renewing a driver’s license (state requires range)

Should you do want to interchange or renew your inexperienced card, it gained’t delay your naturalization efforts a lot. File Type I-90, Software to Substitute Everlasting Resident Card, to resume or change your card.

Roughly 1 to three weeks after submitting, USCIS will mail you a receipt letter that confirms you may have efficiently filed. Use a photocopy of this receipt letter in lieu of the inexperienced card photocopy along with your N-400 utility.

RECOMMENDED: Expired Inexperienced Card Creates 5 Large Issues

Charges

Authorities Charges

Most individuals can pay authorities charges to file Type N-400, Software for Naturalization. The present submitting price is $640 plus a $85 biometrics companies price. One cost within the quantity of $725 ought to be addressed to the “U.S. Division of Homeland Safety” if utilizing a private verify, cash order or cashier’s verify. You might even pay by bank card. Embody Type G-1450 to pay by bank card.

Nevertheless, candidates 75 years of age or older are exempted
from the biometrics companies price. Candidates making use of based mostly on qualifying
army service pay no charges.

Price Waivers

Low-income candidates or these experiencing sure monetary hardships might qualify for a partial or full price waiver. For extra data, the USCIS price waiver web page.

Preparation Charges

Attorneys might cost a variety of charges from $500-$2500 to assist
you put together the applying for naturalization. That is usually your best option
for candidates with a felony historical past or blemished immigration file.

For do-it-yourself preparers with straight-forward circumstances, CitizenPath is a superb manner to make sure you’re doing the whole lot accurately. If we do detect an issue, we offer you an alert earlier than you even pay. Our software program will assist you to put together the N-400 rapidly and precisely. We even assure that your utility shall be authorized by USCIS. See our opinions and get began.

Marriage Standing Paperwork

Should you’ve ever been married, you’ll want a duplicate of your present authorized marital standing doc. This contains your present:

• Marriage certificates; or
• Divorce or annulment decree; or
• Demise certificates of a former partner

Authorized Title Change Paperwork

In case you have modified your title, you’ll want submit proof of the authorized title change. To find out if this is applicable to you, check out your present inexperienced card. In case your present authorized title is completely different than the title in your inexperienced card, you’ll have to submit documentation. Examples of acceptable paperwork embody:

• Marriage certificates; or
• Divorce decree; or
• Any court-issued doc that legally modified your title

Maybe you bought married since your final inexperienced card was issued, you might use this new title in your naturalization certificates so long as you may present documentation. Submit the wedding certificates as proof.

Selective Service Registration

In case you are a male who lived in america at any time between your 18th and twenty sixth birthdays, the Selective Service registration seemingly applies to you. By regulation, a person should register with Selective Service inside 30 days of his 18th birthday. Selective Service can settle for a late registration however not after a person has reached his twenty sixth birthday. This requirement applies to U.S. residents, everlasting residents, refugees, asylees, and even undocumented aliens. It doesn’t apply to girls or international nationals in america with nonimmigrant visas. The nonimmigrant classifications embody: international authorities officers, guests for enterprise and for pleasure, aliens in transit by way of america, treaty merchants and buyers, college students, worldwide representatives, non permanent staff and trainees, representatives of international data media, trade guests, fiance(e)s of U.S. residents, intracompany transferees, NATO officers, spiritual staff, and a few others.

Acquiring proof of your Selective Service registration is straightforward. Use the Selective Service On-line Verification. You’ll want to offer a final title, Social Safety quantity, and date of delivery. You’ll immediately be supplied with a verification letter than may be printed or saved to your pc. Should you didn’t register as required, this will pressure you to delay your utility.

RECOMMENDED: Failing to Register for Selective Service

For candidates which can be making use of on the premise of marriage to a U.S. citizen, their N-400 doc guidelines contains some extra objects:

Sure everlasting residents are eligible for naturalization after simply three years in the event that they had been married to a U.S. citizen for this complete time. The accelerated citizenship necessities do have some extra supporting doc necessities to qualify.

Proof Earlier Marriages Had been Terminated

Along with proof of your present marriage standing, you’ll want proof that each one earlier marriages (if relevant) ended. Some other phrases, you’ll want proof that any prior marriages had been terminated by way of divorce or demise. Once more, examples of acceptable paperwork embody divorce decrees, annulments or demise certificates.

Proof Partner Has Been a U.S. Citizen for at Least 3 Years

To qualify below this provision, it’s important to offer proof that your partner has been a U.S. citizen for a interval of not less than three years and continues to be a U.S. citizen. Examples of acceptable proof embody a photocopy of your partner’s:

• Delivery certificates (in case your partner by no means misplaced citizenship since delivery); or
• U.S. passport (within entrance cowl and signature web page); or
• Certificates of naturalization; or
• Certificates of citizenship; or
• Type FS-240, Report of Delivery Overseas of a Citizen of america

Proof of a Bona Fide Marriage

Along with the wedding certificates, you’ll have to submit corroborating proof that the wedding is real. Usually, this may be most successfully demonstrated with paperwork that present you’ve mixed funds, lived collectively constantly, and had kids collectively (if relevant).

Submit paperwork to show that you just and your partner have lived in marital union for not less than three years previous to the date that you just file Type N-400, Software for Naturalization. Examples of acceptable paperwork embody:

• Copies of joint tax returns for every of the final three years (or two if all three usually are not but obtainable). You might submit a tax transcript as an alternative of the tax return. To acquire a free IRS tax transcript, go to www.irs.gov. Choose “Instruments” after which choose “Order a Return or Account Transcript.” For help, you may also name the IRS at 1-800-908-9946.
• Copies of statements from joint accounts with each spouses’ names. Joint accounts might embody checking, financial savings, bank card, insurance coverage insurance policies, leases or mortgages. Present statements that span the size of the three years (if attainable). For instance, embody a duplicate for each three months over the course of the three years.
• Copies of delivery certificates for any kids born into the wedding (if attainable).
• Some other proof of household ties that show your bona fide marriage. You might present pictures of each spouses (e.g. holidays, visiting prolonged household, and so forth.). Present the date and site and names of different individuals within the picture.

Present a number of examples of your bona fide marriage. It’s vital to point out that you just’ve had shared monetary obligations, joint residences and household ties (e.g. pictures). For all proof, present examples that span the complete three-year interval if attainable.

Past the N-400 Doc Guidelines

This N-400 doc guidelines covers the objects required in typical purposes for naturalization. Please check with your personalised submitting directions from CitizenPath or the USCIS submitting directions for instructions in your particular scenario. Extra documentation could also be required when you have ever didn’t file an earnings tax return as required, have an arrest file, or have traveled extensively (reminiscent of journeys over 6 months) overseas. Usually these conditions demand the steering of skilled authorized counsel.

You might submit photocopies of all of paperwork talked about above when submitting Type N-400 (until in any other case indicated). Nevertheless, we suggest that you just take an authentic to your naturalization interview. Not often are authentic paperwork requested. But when the USCIS officer wants affirmation, you’ll be ready to handle the scenario. In any other case, your case could also be delayed.

Get hold of a Copy of Your Immigration File

As part of the naturalization course of, a USCIS officer will consider your complete immigration historical past to ensure your everlasting residence was granted accurately. This generally is a little intimidating as a result of most individuals are not sure of that data the federal government has. Effectively, you’ll find out.

You will have the proper to request a duplicate of your individual immigration file by way of a Freedom of Data Act (FOIA) request. The truth is, immigration legal professionals will routinely file FOIA requests to get this data earlier than submitting extra kinds. There isn’t a authorities submitting price, however this generally is a prolonged course of. It could take six months to get a whole file. Need assistance? CitizenPath can assist you put together Type G-639, Freedom of Data Act Request, to acquire your immigration file.

Getting ready Type N-400

Though documentation will not be required, there’s extra data you’ll have to have readily available when making ready the N-400 utility. Usually, you’ll need 5 years of:

• Deal with historical past
• Employment historical past
• Journey historical past (time exterior the U.S.)

In case you are making use of on the premise of marriage to a U.S. citizen, these histories are lowered to 3 years.

About CitizenPath

CitizenPath supplies easy, inexpensive, step-by-step steering by way of USCIS immigration purposes. People, attorneys and non-profits use the service on desktop or cellular system to arrange immigration kinds precisely, avoiding expensive delays. CitizenPath permits customers to attempt the service free of charge and supplies a 100% money-back assure that USCIS will approve the applying or petition. We offer help for Inexperienced Card Renewal (Type I-90), the Citizenship Software (Type N-400), and a number of other different immigration packages.