How to apply for the Naturalization Test?
To apply for naturalization, the applicant will need to file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Download the form and read the instructions. To demonstrate the eligibility for naturalization collect the necessary documents. If applicant resides outside the United States, get 2 passport-style photos taken. Make sure to collect all the required documents.
Documents Required for U.S. Citizenship
As part of the naturalization process, the supporting documents needs to be provided by all the U.S. citizenship applicants to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The necessary documents depend on each applicant’s situation. The Green card holders applying for naturalization based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen, for instance, one must provide additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate and their spouse’s U.S. passport.
| Type of Document | Forms of Acceptable Documents | Who should to Submit It? |
| As a proof of green card holder (permanent resident) status | Copy (front and back) of applicant’s green card (officially called the “Permanent Resident Card,” or Form I-551) | All applicants |
| Application fee payment | Send one of the following: * Personal check (with applicant’s A-Number printed on the back) * Money order (with applicant’s A-Number printed on the back) * Credit card authorization form (Form G-1450, formally called the “e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance”)” |
All applicants (except those who applying for a fee waiver or who are exempt) |
| As a proof of current marital status | Send copies of all of the following, if applicable: Marriage certificates Divorce papers Annulment certificates Death certificates Other Bona Fide records (i.e. “Certificate stating No Record of Marriage,” or the “Certificate of Single Status,” they are available from the clerks/deputy clerks offices or the Secretary of State’s Apostille office in each state) |
All currently or previously married applicants |
| Identity Proof | Two passport-style photos (2 by 2 inches) | Applicants those living and applying from abroad |
| Proof of military service | Form N-426 (formally called the “Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service”) | Applicants filing based on their qualifying military service |
| Proof of medical disability | Form N-648 (formally called the “Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions”) | Applicants those who are requesting an exemption from the citizenship test based on a qualifying medical condition |
| Fee waiver application | Form I-912 (formally called the “Request for Fee Waiver”) | Applicants those who requesting a waiver of the citizenship application and biometrics fees |
| Request for representation at the naturalization interview | Form G-28 (formally called the “Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative”) | Applicants those whowish to be accompanied by an attorney or other representative at their U.S. citizenship interview |
Naturalization Interview Required Documents
| Type of Document | Forms of Acceptable Documents | Who should to Submit It? |
| As a proof of green card holder (permanent resident) status | Green card (officially called the “Permanent Resident Card,” or Form I-551) | All applicants |
| State-issued identification | * State ID * Driver’s license |
All applicants |
| Travel records | Bring original copies of all of the following for oneself: * Marriage certificates * Divorce papers * Annulment certificates * Death certificates * Other Bona Fide records (i.e. “Certificate stating No Record of Marriage,” or the “Certificate of Single Status,” they are available from the clerks/deputy clerks offices or the Secretary of State’s Apostille office in each state) All currently or previously married applicants. |
All currently or previously married applicants. |
| Proof of termination of applicant’s spouse’s previous marriages, if any. | Applicant needs to bring original copies of all of the following for his/her spouse: * Divorce papers * Annulment certificates * Death certificates * Other formal records |
All currently married applicants (if applicable) |
| Proof of formal name change(s), if any | Bring as many of the following that are applicable: * Marriage certificate (usually sufficient) * Divorce papers * Court order of name change * Adoption papers * Other official records |
All applicants (if applicable) |
IMPORTANT: with their Form N-400 applicants are allowed to provide copies of the documents listed below this row, but it’s generally a good idea to wait and bring them to their interview. This is because if any changes that may occur between filing their N-400 and taking the Oath of Allegiance mean that they’d need to re-submit new documentation reflecting the change made and USCIS would need to re-evaluate their application, likely causing delays.
| Type of Document | Forms of Acceptable Documents | Who should to Submit it? |
| Proof of spouse’s U.S. citizenship for the past 3 years prior to filing their Form N-400 | * Birth certificate (for spouses who have been U.S. citizens since birth) * Certificate of Naturalization * Certificate of Citizenship Valid Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen(Form FS-240) |
Applicants those who are filing based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen. |
| Proof of termination of their previous marriage(s) | Bring original copies of all of the following: * Marriage certificates * Divorce papers * Annulment certificates * Death certificates * Other formal records |
Applicants filing based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen |
| Proof of an authentic marriage for the past 3 years prior to filing their Form N-400 | Bring as many as possible of the following: * Joint bank and credit card statements * Joint leases or mortgages * Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) * Joint insurance policies * Joint tax transcripts or income tax returns for the past 3 filing years |
Applicants filing based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen |
| Proof of parental rights over their child(ren) | Bring one of the following for each child: * Birth certificate * Court order naming they as the parent * Papers of adoption |
Applicants listing their child(ren) or dependents on Form N-400 |
| Proof that the applicants have fulfilled their financial support obligations (if applicable) | Bring the following for each dependent child who does not live with their and for other dependents (spouse and/or ex-spouse(s)): * Court or government orders copies for them to provide financial support * Cancelled cheques or money order receipts * Court or government documents copies showing child support and/or alimony payments * Wage garnishments records Notarized letter from the parent or guardian who cares for their child(ren) |
Applicants listing their children or dependents on Form N-400 |
| Proof of overdue tax obligations or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax payments | Bring copies (or transcripts) of the following: * For the past 5 filing years’ federal income tax returns (if applying based on marriage to a U.S. citizen then past 3 filing years). If the applicants owe federal, state, or local taxes: * A signed agreement from the appropriate tax office showing that they’ve filed an income tax return and made a payment arrangement for their outstanding balance * Documentation from the appropriate tax office showing the current status of their payment arrangement |
All applicants, but especially those who apply based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen or who have taken abroad trips for at least 6 months |
| Proof that the applicant has maintained permanent residence in the United States | Bring as many as possible of the following: * Copy of their passport showing departure and arrival stamps * Copies of income tax returns (or transcripts) for the past 5 filing years (or if applying based on marriage to a U.S. citizen then past 3 filing years) * Rent or mortgage payment receipts * Showing regular transactions bank, credit card, and loan statements * Auto registration and insurance Other records showing that they maintained their permanent residence |
All applicants who have taken any trips abroad lasting over 6 months (181 days) but less than 1 year (364 days) |
| Proof of Selective Service registration (see more on “Military and Civil Service Registration“) | If they registered for Selective Service, bring the following: * Registration Acknowledgement Card (from Selective Service System) If did not register for Selective Service but are required to, bring all of the following: * Status Information Letter (from Selective Service System) A notarized personal affidavit (sworn statement) from their self, explaining why they did not register * Notarized personal affidavits (sworn statements) from other people who knew them and can support their claim. |
Male applicants of a certain age. |
| Proof of Selective Service registration | If they registered for Selective Service, bring the following: * Registration Acknowledgement Card (from Selective Service System) If did not register for Selective Service but are required to, bring all of the following: * Status Information Letter (from Selective Service System). * A notarized personal affidavit (sworn statement) from their self, explaining why they did not register * Notarized personal affidavits (sworn statements) from other people who knew them and can support their claim. |
Male applicants of a certain age |
| Records of previous encounters with law enforcement | To help them locate the documents listed below: If no charges were filed when the applicant has ever been arrested or detained anywhere in the world bring both of the following: * Bona fide or court-certified arrest report * Bona fide, certified statement from the law enforcement agency that arrested them or from the court confirming that no charges were filed. If the applicant has ever been arrested or detained anywhere in the world, and charges were filed, bring certified copies of all of the following: * Arrest reports * Charging documents * Court dispositions Sentencing reports (including a report that they completed their probationary sentence) * Other relevant documents (including those in favor that they’d like USCIS to consider) * If the applicant has ever been convicted or placed in alternative sentencing (such as diversion) or rehabilitation (such as drug treatment or community service), then bring both of the following: * Bona fide or court-certified sentencing record for each incident * Bona fide or agency-certified record showing that they completed program or sentence (such as a probation or parole record). If the applicant has ever had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged, or removed from record, bring one of the following: * Bona fide or court-certified court order showing any of the above outcomes * Bona fide statement from the court that no record exists of arrest or conviction. If the applicant has ever been in a traffic incident that involved alcohol or drugs, led to an arrest, or seriously injured another person, bring the following: * Any of the pertinent documents listed above, based on the outcome of each incident * Bona fide arrest record, if any * Bona fide police report |
*IMPORTANT: Documentation is required even if they have been told by anyone (including an attorney, judge, or police officer) that record no longer exists or that they do not need to provide it to the government.
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