C. Filling Out Uscis Form N-400

• Library: Becoming a U.S. Citizen (Nolo) (2021 Ed.)

C. Filling Out USCIS Form N-400

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is the central and most important form that you will fill out in order to apply for U.S. citizenship. Everyone applying for citizenship through the naturalization process described in this book must fill out Form N-400. The form collects basic biographical information about you and asks questions to make sure that you meet all the citizenship eligibility requirements (discussed in Chapter 2).

RESOURCE

Form N-400 is available by telephone at 800-870-3676, and on USCIS's website at www.uscis.gov/n-400. You can print out or photocopy the official version for submission by mail. Or, you can fill it out and submit it online (unless you are requesting a fee waiver or are a member of the U.S. military or are filing from outside the United States). You will also need to be able to scan your documents for submission as PDFs.

Before you fill out the form, read the general tips in Section C1, below. Then, with a copy of Form N-400 in hand or on your screen, follow the line-by-line instructions in Section C2 on how to fill it out. Also see the sample filled-out Form N-400 at the end of this chapter.

Cover Letter Template[Your address][Today's date]

[Address of USCIS Service Center serving your geographic region]

Application for Naturalization

Re: A-number: [Your eight- or nine-digit Alien number, from your green card]

Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed please find my application for naturalization, including the following items:

• Form N-400

• Application fees, totaling $___ [oryour request for a reduced fee or a fee waiver]

• Two photos [Only if you're filing from outside the U.S.]

• A photocopy of my green card, front and back

• [Any other needed documents as described elsewhere in this book].

In addition, please note [describe any exceptions or special circumstances in your case, and any accommodations that you need for disability, or any waivers of the English language, U.S. history and government exam, or oath-taking requirements that you're claiming based on age, disability, or religious convictions; see Chapter 7 for details].

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Very truly yours,

[sign your name]

[print your name]

1. Tips on Filling Out USCIS Forms

How clearly and carefully you prepare your paperwork can affect how your application is judged. This doesn't mean you have to hire someone to do it professionally—USCIS receives plenty of handwritten applications. But following these instructions will help avoid confusion and make your application stand out.

a. Typing or Ink?

If you won't be filing your application online, it's best to complete the form on a computer, as described below, or use a typewriter. If you cannot use a computer or typewriter, prepare it by hand, using black ink.

You can complete Form N-400 on your computer, using Adobe Acrobat. (Download a free copy from www.adobe.com.)

b. Inapplicable Questions

If you know that a question on Form N-400 doesn't fit your situation, write "N/A" (not applicable) rather than leaving the space blank. If you're not sure how or whether to answer a question, contact an attorney.

c. Tell the Truth

Lying to USCIS can get you in bigger trouble than the problem you are lying about. A USCIS officer who discovers that you've lied will not only become angry, but might have your citizenship application denied on moral character grounds, no matter how minor the lie. Even if undetected at your interview, a lie can result in your citizenship being revoked if USCIS finds out about it later—even many years later.

If you are torn between hiding and disclosing information on the form, now is the time to see a lawyer. An attorney can advise you how to complete the form honestly and protect your interests.

d. Be Consistent With Previous USCIS Applications

Pull out other applications or paperwork that you've submitted to USCIS and double-check that the information you're providing now matches what you've stated in previous applications. Failure to do this could lead to trouble.

EXAMPLE: When Sarita applied for her green card, she was 17 and had a juvenile conviction for shoplifting. She mentioned the conviction on her green card application, but since USCIS doesn't ordinarily count juvenile arrests against applicants, Sarita successfully received her green card. After becoming an adult, Sarita's juvenile record was sealed, and she figured the matter was far behind her. On Sarita's citizenship application, she answers "no" to the questions about whether she'd ever been arrested or convicted for a crime.
The USCIS officer notices that this doesn't match the information on her green card application and because of her "lie," he denies Sarita's citizenship application on the grounds that she lacks good moral character. Sarita must wait for her full period of required permanent residence (in her case, five years) to rebuild her moral character before reapplying.

TIP

You can request a complete copy of your immigration file from USCIS. If you've misplaced copies of your previous immigration applications, this can be a handy option. The easiest way to make your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request is to go through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website at https://foiarequest.dhs.gov. This allows you to choose USCIS (or another immigration-related agency) from various links for submission.

Of course, if you've found a harmless error in a previous application—such as a misspelled name or a wrong address—don't feel you have to stick to it. Insert the correct information on your citizenship application, but be prepared to explain the error and provide evidence of the true situation.

e. Use Extra Pages If Needed

In a few places on Form N-400, you might need more space for your response. In that case, attach a separate piece of paper and write "Please see attachment" in the appropriate space on the form. At the top of each attachment page, print your name, your A-number, and the words "Attachment to Form N-400." Then indicate which question(s) from which part(s) of the form you're answering. If you need more than one attachment page, add page numbers to them.

2. Line-by-Line Instructions...