A. What You'll Put in Your Application Packet

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

A. What You'll Put in Your Application Packet

The most important part of your citizenship application is Form N-400. However, along with this form you'll need to prepare and assemble a few other items, listed below and summarized within the checklist in Section D1:

• Cover letter. (See Section B, below.)
• Form N-400. (See Section C, below.)
• Fee payment. Currently $640 for the application plus $85 for "biometrics" or fingerprints, for a total of $725. U.S. military personnel don't have to pay the fees. If you're age 75 or older, you don't have to be fingerprinted, and don't have to pay the $85 biometrics fee. And, low-income applicants may request a reduced fee or a fee waiver. See "Paying the Fee" in Section D2, below for more information.
• Two color photos, passport style (only if you live outside the U.S.). It's too difficult to take a snapshot that meets USCIS's specifications, so find a shop that does U.S. immigration photos. Gently write your name and your A-number (from your green card) on the back of each photo, in pencil or felt pen. If you're living in the

...