Citizenship

Applying For U.S. Citizenship

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form n-400 Review the application (Form N-400) instructions Complete the naturalization application, Form N-400 Pay filing fee Form N-400 All applicants must send the following 3 items with their N-400 application: □ Permanent Resident CardA photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as the Alien Registration Card or “Green Card”). If you have lost the card, submit a photocopy of the receipt of your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent ResidentCard; and □ FILING FEE 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 canpay for by credit card using the G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transaction. Check www.uscis.gov for more specificinformation.  your facial features must still be exposed in the photo for purposes of identification. IF YOU RESIDE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES □ 2 identical color photographs, with your name and 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, or our post on immigration photo requirements.  DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT WITH FORM N-400 AttorneyIf 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 Name Is Different Than Your LPR CardIf 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 Apply Based on Marriage to a U.S. CitizenIf 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: Birth certificate (if your spouse never lost citizenship since birth); or Certificate of Naturalization; or Certificate of Citizenship; or The inside of the front cover and signature page of your spouse’s current U.S. passport; or Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America; and 2. 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: Tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages, or birth certificates of children; or Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you both filed for the past 3 years; or An IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years. 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, convictionrecord or acquittal order). If you have ever been convicted or placed in an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program (such as a drugtreatment 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 toconsider. 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. 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 ifyou 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 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 thetaxes you owe; and Documentation … Read more

Naturalization Civics Exam

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The Naturalization Civics Examination The civics examination is part of the naturalization interview process and it is legally required in order to obtain US citizenship (unless you are exempt for medical reasons). The civics portion of the naturalization test is an oral examination that will test your knowledge of basic US history (who was the first president), the procedures of government and legal system (who can vote), and important aspects of the political system/structure (like number of members of the Senate). Learn about the civics exam for your naturalization interview at USCIS and how you can prepare for it. You can even take a practice test, or five. GENERAL INFORMATION Structure of the Exam You will receive an interview notice with a date, time, and location for you to appear at USCIS Field Office to present documents, answer questions, and do the English and Civics tests. The USCIS officer will ask you up to 10 questions from the list of 100 civics test questions. You must answer 6 questions correctly to pass the civics test. If you are only asked six questions then you got all six right. If you are asked less than 10 questions then you know you passed. If you don’t pass the civics test then you will be given an opportunity try again at another interview that will be rescheduled by mail (learn about that here). English The English test is a separate part of the naturalization interview process. You must take the civics examination even if you are exempt from the English test, however, you may be permitted to take the civics examination in your native language if you are exempt from the English requirement. If you are not exempt from the English test then you will have to take the civics examination in English. There are also the 65/20 special considerations, which use these questions. Learn more about applying for an exemption from the English test and requesting the use of an interpreter for other portions of the naturalization interview. Medical You can apply for a medical disability exemption by filing this Form N-648 WITH your N-400 application.  STUDY GUIDE The Government’s weird study guide for the test that they call “A More Perfect Union” can be found online on the USCIS website. NATURALIZATION CIVICS EXAM QUESTIONS All 100 Civics Questions in English  All 100 questions in Spanish  100 Preguntas y Respuestas de Educación Cívica All 100 questions in Chinese PRACTICE CITIZENSHIP EXAM Take a practice civics test online to see if you are ready for your USCIS naturalization interview so you don’t delay getting U.S. citizenship. You can take several different citizenship practice tests here as well.  A PRACTICE TESTA SECOND PRACTICE TESTA THIRD PRACTICE TEST External Links Notice I’d note that these practice tests are easy to access and seem to be accurate from wheat I’ve seen, but, they are not from the official USCIS.gov website or any other U.S. Government agency or non-profit so be careful. 

Documents Checklist for Naturalization Application

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Application for Naturalization for U.S. Citizenship Form:  N-400                  Online: Online application is available but not required Filing Fee: $640         Biometrics Fee: $85 biometrics fee  (Total Fee: $725) Do not send original documents unless specifically requested. TRANSLATIONS:   If you submit any documents (copies or original documents, if requested) in a foreign language, you must include a full English translation along with a certification from the translator verifying that the translation is complete and accurate, and that the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language to English. Required Documents For All Applicants: 🗹 A copy of your Permanent Resident Card (or copy of Form I-90 filing receipt if you lost your resident card); 🗹 Photocopy of the applicant’s current legal marital status document, if applicable (e.g.; marriage certificate, divorce, annulment decree, or death certificate of former spouse); 🗹 A money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” for current filing fee and biometric fee ($725 as of September 2023). Applicants 75 years of age or older are exempted from the biometrics services fee. 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 🗹 2. 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: 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 Are Outside the U.S.: 🗹 Two passport-style photographs If Applying Based on Military Service: 🗹 A copy of your official military orders; 🗹 DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or discharge orders (if separated from service); 🗹 Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service; If You Are Applying Under INA 319(b): Evidence of your citizen spouse’s employment abroad (if applying under INA 319(b))

HOW TO: Naturalization/Citizenship

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U.S. Citizenship

Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? No. You can file USCIS forms yourself, including Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, which can be submitted online. However, some people choose to seek assistance from a lawyer or Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)-accredited representative.  If you decide to get legal assistance, you can start here: Many people offer to help with immigration services. Unfortunately, not all of them are authorized or qualified to do so. If you are seeking legal help to complete your Application for Naturalization, please be aware that only attorneys and EOIR-accredited representatives can provide legal advice about which forms and documents to attach to your application, explain immigration options you may have, and communicate with USCIS about your case. For additional information, please review USCIS’ guidance on the unauthorized practice of immigration law. If you decide to submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, without legal assistance, obtain information about the naturalization application process and study materials to help you prepare for the naturalization test at the Citizenship Resource Center. Also visit, the N-400, Application for Naturalization page and read the instructions. Will I be asked all of the civics questions during the naturalization interview? For the 2008 version of the civics test, there are 100 available civics questions on the naturalization test (PDF, 368.79 KB), but you will not be asked to answer all of them during your naturalization interview. You will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. You must answer 6 questions correctly to to pass the 2008 version of the civics test. For the 2020 version of the civics test, there are 128 available civics questions on the naturalization test, but you will not be asked to answer all of them during your naturalization interview. You must answer at least 12 of the 20 questions correctly to pass the 2020 version of the civics test.  Do I need to bring original documents such as birth and marriage certificates to the naturalization interview? Yes. You should bring certain original documents to your interview. In the instructions to Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, USCIS provides an extensive list of examples of original documents that you should bring to the interview, depending on different case scenarios. Examples of these documents include: original birth, marriage, divorce, final adoption and naturalization certificates; court orders/decrees; evidence of child support payments; court-certified arrest reports; and probation/parole records. Certain certified copies of documents can also be provided.  You should also submit copies–preferably certified copies–of these documents at the initial filing of your application. These documents should be submitted as evidence in support of your application, and will facilitate the USCIS officers’ review of your request. When should I submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions? Applicants for naturalization seeking an exception to the English and/or civics requirements for naturalization because of a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment are encouraged to submit this form at the time they file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with USCIS. However, USCIS recognizes that certain circumstances may prevent concurrent filing of the naturalization application and the disability exception form. Accordingly, an applicant may file the disability exception form during any part of the naturalization process, including after the application is filed but before the first examination, during the first examination, during the re-examination if the applicant’s first examination was rescheduled, and during the rehearing on a denied naturalization application. How will I know what the decision is on the Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, I submitted? The decision on your Form N-648 will be made at the time of your naturalization interview. If your Form N-648 is found to be sufficient, and the licensed medical professional who completed your Form N-648 indicated on the form that you were unable to comply with all of the educational requirements, the officer will conduct the eligibility interview in your language of choice with the use of an interpreter and will not test you on any of the educational requirements. If your Form N-648 is found to be sufficient, and the licensed medical professional indicated on the form that you were unable to comply with only some of the educational requirements, the officer will administer the tests for the other requirements.  You will be permitted to use an interpreter if the medical professional indicated that you were unable to comply with the English speaking requirement. If your Form N-648 is found to be insufficient, the officer must proceed with the eligibility interview in English and administer all portions of the English and civics testing as if you had not submitted Form N-648. What should I do if I have already applied for naturalization and my Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) is expiring? While one’s lawful permanent resident status does not expire, barring naturalization or termination of status, a lawful permanent resident must have valid, unexpired proof of lawful permanent residence in their possession at all times. Applying for naturalization does not change this requirement. However, effective Dec. 12, 2022, a naturalization applicant who properly submits Form N-400 will receive a Form N-400 receipt notice that, when presented with their Green Card, automatically extends the validity of the Green Card for 24 months from the “Card Expires” date. This receipt notice must be presented to show that your Green Card, which is proof of your lawful permanent resident status, has been extended, such as for purposes of employment or travel authorization. If you have been issued a Form N-400 receipt notice that automatically extends the validity of your Green Card, but it has been lost or destroyed, then you generally must file Form I-90 to renew your expiring Green Card. For more information on renewing your Green Card, visit uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/replace-your-green-card or uscis.gov/i-90. If I fail a portion of the naturalization test, when will I be retested? Unless you are eligible for an exception to the English or civics requirements, you will be given two opportunities to meet the English and civics requirements. If you fail any portion of these requirements, you will be retested during a new interview on the portion of the test that you … Read more