Application for Naturalization (N-400)

Do you have an attorney or accredited representative who has filed Form G-28 with USCIS?. Most pro se applicants answer No and leave Form G-28 unfiled. If your representative filed G-28, attach a copy of the receipted G-28 to this filing; the N-400 itself has no built-in attorney block.

• If yes, attorney must file Form G-28 with this application.
• Pro se filers leave unchecked.

The single most consequential field on N-400. Drives the continuous-residence rule (5 years vs 3 years vs 1 year), the physical-presence rule (30 months vs 18 months vs 1 day vs none), the good-moral-character window, and the supporting evidence USCIS expects. Pick exactly one of items 1.A through 1.G. On Edition 01/20/25 the items read: 1.A General Provision (5-year LPR, INA 316); 1.B Spouse of U.S. Citizen (3-year, INA 319(a)); 1.C VAWA; 1.D Spouse of U.S. Citizen in Qualified Employment Outside the United States (INA 319(b)); 1.E Military Service During Period of Hostilities (INA 329); 1.F At Least One Year of Honorable Military Service at Any Time (INA 328); 1.G Other Reason.

• Selecting 1.B (3-year marital) without the marriage being 3+ years old AND the spouse being a U.S. citizen for 3+ years AND living in marital union for 3+ years. All three conditions are required under INA 319(a).
• Selecting 1.E (INA 329) or 1.F (INA 328) when separation from service was more than 6 months ago and continuous-residence under 1.A is not separately completed.
• Selecting 1.A when the applicant has not yet completed 5 years as LPR (note: 90-day early filing window applies).
• Selecting 1.C (VAWA) without a VAWA-approved I-360 self-petition in the file.
• Selecting 1.D (INA 319(b)) without proof the citizen spouse is in qualifying employment abroad with a U.S. employer at the time of filing.

Item 1.G: If you picked Other above, explain the basis (free text). Required only when you picked Other above. Be specific (e.g. INA 329A posthumous citizenship). USCIS rejects vague entries.

• Free text explaining a non-standard naturalization basis (e.g., post-9/11 INA section 329, public-safety officers).
• Most applicants pick a numbered basis (1.A through 1.G) and leave this blank.

Required. 8 or 9 digits, on the front of the green card (after the A-prefix), on every prior I-797 receipt notice, and on the I-94. Repeats on every page header (14 instances on the printed form); the wizard fills all 14 from one entry.

• Mistyping the A-Number (transposed digits) causes USCIS to fail to match the A-File and pause the case 60-90 days.
• Missing leading zero: the A-Number on the green card may have 8 digits with a leading zero (A012345678) but the wizard accepts both 8 and 9 digits.

Applicant's full legal family name (last name) at the time of filing. Match the spelling on the most recent state-issued ID and prior USCIS notices.

• Current legal family name (last name) as on most recent identity document.
• Spelling drift across filings causes RFEs; transliterations should be consistent with passport / green card.

Applicant's full legal given name (first name).

• Legal given (first) name; not nickname.

Item 1: Your current legal middle name (if any). Optional. Leave blank if you have no middle name.

• Blank if no middle name; do not write 'NMN'.

Family name exactly as printed on the green card. May differ from current legal name if a name change was completed after the green card was issued.

• Family name exactly as on green card; this matches USCIS records.
• If your name has changed (marriage, court order), the green-card name may differ from current legal name; both must be listed.

Given name exactly as printed on the green card.

• Given name exactly as on green card.

Item 4.a: Your middle name exactly as it appears on your Permanent Resident Card (if any). Optional. Leave blank if your card has no middle name.

• Middle name on green card; blank if none.

Item 6: USCIS Online Account Number (12 digits) if you have one. Optional. Pull from my.uscis.gov if you opened an account for a prior filing. Leave blank if you have never created a USCIS Online Account.

• 12 digits from myUSCIS dashboard; pro se filers without an account leave blank.

Self-identified gender. Match the gender on the green card.

• Pick from listed options; biographic field.
• Gender-marker changes since LPR can require evidence (e.g., court order, updated state ID); explain in Part 14 if your gender on the application differs from your green card.

Applicant's date of birth. Match the green card and birth certificate.

• MM/DD/YYYY (U.S. format); critical because the 5-year (or 3-year for spouse-of-citizen) physical-presence clock runs from this date.
• Match the date on your green card.

Date of LPR admission. On the front of the green card under 'Resident Since'. Drives the 5-year / 3-year continuous residence calculation.

• Filing before completing the residence requirement (note 90-day early filing window): if the LPR-since date is less than 4 years and 9 months before the filing date for a 5-year applicant, the case is denied for failure to meet INA 316.
• For 3-year marital filers: if the LPR-since date is less than 2 years and 9 months before the filing date AND the spouse-citizen and marriage-3-year requirements were not met for the 3-year LPR window, the case is denied.

Country of birth at the time of birth. Use historical names for countries that no longer exist (USSR before 1991, Yugoslavia before 1992).

• Country at time of birth (e.g., 'Soviet Union' if born in 1985 Ukraine); add explanation in Part 14 for territory changes.

Current country of citizenship. List every current citizenship if dual.

• Current nationality as of filing; if you have multiple nationalities, list all.
• Naturalization renounces all other allegiances under the Oath of Allegiance, not necessarily other citizenships (depends on other country's law).

Item 10 (verify wording on printed form): Do you have a disability or impairment that prevents you from being able to provide fingerprints, or to read, write, or understand English?. Yes here triggers the disability accommodation pathway. The exact wording varies by edition; verify on the printed N-400 before answering. Most pro se applicants answer No.

• Yes only if you have a disability preventing fingerprinting; submit Form N-648 with documentation.
• Do not check yes lightly; the exemption requires medical certification.

Item 11 (verify wording on printed form): Do you have a disability or impairment that prevents you from completing the civics test or the English requirement?. Yes here triggers the N-648 medical certification pathway. Verify exact wording on the printed N-400 before answering. Most pro se applicants answer No.

• Yes only if you have a disability preventing the civics / English test; submit Form N-648 with medical documentation.
• Do not check yes lightly; N-648 requires a medical professional's certification of disability.

Whether the applicant has a Social Security Number. Almost every working-age LPR does; if not, USCIS creates one as part of approving the N-400.

• Pick the option that matches your SSN history (have one, never had one, applied).

SSN if the applicant has one.

• 9 digits, no dashes; match your SSA card.
• Blank only if you have never been issued an SSN.

Item 12.c: Do you want USCIS to request a Social Security card or replacement card for you?. Optional. If you answer Yes, USCIS submits the request to SSA at the same time your N-400 is approved. Most applicants answer Yes; saves a separate SSA office visit.

• If yes, USCIS will share your N-400 data with SSA so they can issue a replacement / new SSN card after you are sworn in.
• Saves a separate trip to SSA.

Item 34 (or item N near end of Part 2; verify wording): Do you want to legally change your name during naturalization?. If yes, an Article III judicial oath ceremony (rather than USCIS administrative oath) is required, and ceremony scheduling can take longer. The new name takes effect when the oath is administered. Most applicants answer No.

• If yes, the naturalization court (or USCIS in administrative ceremonies) can grant a legal name change at the same time, free of charge.
• Some USCIS field offices do not grant name changes administratively; in that case the applicant must request a judicial oath ceremony.

Part 3 item 2.a (verify wording on printed form): Do you need any disability accommodation at your USCIS interview?. Most applicants answer No. Yes here triggers a follow-up free-text request you describe in writing with your filing; USCIS provides accommodations (sign language interpreters, wheelchair access, alternate-format materials, etc.) at no cost.

• Disability-related accommodations during the interview / ceremony; e.g., sign-language interpreter, wheelchair access.
• Different from N-648 medical waiver; the accommodation request is procedural.

Item 1.a (optional): In care of name. Optional. Use this only when the address belongs to someone else (e.g. a relative or attorney) and you want USCIS mail to route through them.

• Use 'in care of' (c/o) when mail goes to a third party.

Mailing address street number (item 1.b).

• Numeric street number portion of address.

Mailing address street name (item 1.b).

• Street name portion.

Item 1.c (optional): Unit type. Optional. Pick the unit type if your address has a unit number; the unit number itself goes in the street-name field (append it after the street, e.g. 'Main Street Apt 4B'). USCIS prints this as a single-line address.

• Mailing address: pick from listed options; blank if no unit.

Mailing address city (item 1.d).

• Mailing address: legal city name.

Mailing address state (item 1.e).

• Mailing address: two-letter state abbreviation.

Mailing address ZIP code (item 1.f).

• Mailing address: 5 digits.

Item 1.g (foreign addresses only): Province. Required only if the mailing address is outside the US and your country uses a province subdivision.

• Province for non-U.S. mailing addresses; blank for U.S.

Item 1.h (foreign addresses only): Postal code. Required only for foreign addresses with a postal-code system separate from the ZIP field.

• Foreign postal code; blank for U.S.

Mailing address country (item 1.i).

• Mailing address: country name; 'United States' for U.S.

Item 1.j: Date you began living at this address (MM/DD/YYYY). Approximate dates are acceptable; USCIS prefers month / year accuracy.

• Date you started receiving mail at this address.

Item 1.k: Date you stopped living at this address (or PRESENT). If you currently live here, write Present in the cell.

• 'Present' if current; otherwise date you stopped.

5-year residence chain row 1. USCIS uses this list to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence presumption that the applicant abandoned residence; gaps over 1 year break continuous residence outright unless preserved by Form N-470.

• Prior address from the 5-year residence chain.
• Critical for continuous-residence test; gaps may be flagged. Use Part 14 if you need more rows.

Prior address row 1: City or town. USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• City of prior address.

Prior address row 1: State (US) or province (foreign). USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• State or province of prior address.

Prior address row 1: ZIP or postal code. USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• ZIP / postal code of prior address.

Prior address row 1: Country. USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• Country of prior address.

Prior address row 1: Date moved in (MM/DD/YYYY). USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• Date you started living there.

Prior address row 1: Date moved out (MM/DD/YYYY). USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• Date you left.

Prior address row 2: Full physical address (street + city + state + zip + country). Combine the full street address into one cell. Use Part 11 overflow if you need more than 2 prior rows.

• Earlier prior address.

Prior address row 2: City or town. USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• City.

Prior address row 2: State (US) or province (foreign). USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• State or province.

Prior address row 2: ZIP or postal code. USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• ZIP / postal code.

Prior address row 2: Country. USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• Country.

Prior address row 2: Date moved in (MM/DD/YYYY). USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• Date started.

Prior address row 2: Date moved out (MM/DD/YYYY). USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• Date left.

Prior address row 3: Full physical address (street + city + state + zip + country). Combine the full street address into one cell. Use Part 11 overflow if you need more than 3 prior rows.

• Earliest prior address; use Part 14 for additional rows.

Prior address row 3: City or town. USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• City.

Prior address row 3: State (US) or province (foreign). USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• State or province.

Prior address row 3: ZIP or postal code. USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• ZIP / postal code.

Prior address row 3: Country. USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• Country.

Prior address row 3: Date moved in (MM/DD/YYYY). USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• Date started.

Prior address row 3: Date moved out (MM/DD/YYYY). USCIS uses the 5-year address chain to verify continuous residence under INA 316. Gaps over 6 months trigger a continuous-residence inquiry; gaps over 1 year typically break continuous residence and reset the clock. List every address you lived at during the 5-year period before filing (3 years if applying under INA 319(a)).

• Date left.

Current marital status (item 1). Drives the 3-year marital path eligibility under INA 319(a).

• Pick the closest legal status; legal separation is still 'married' for INA purposes.
• Spouse-of-citizen 3-year basis (1.B) requires current marriage with a U.S. citizen spouse for the entire 3-year period under INA section 319(a). The 1.D basis (Spouse of U.S. Citizen in Qualified Employment Abroad, INA section 319(b)) does not require the 3-year residence but does require a current valid marriage and the citizen-spouse's qualifying overseas employment.

Total times married, including current. USCIS examines the marital history for good-faith bona fides under INA 319(a).

• Total marriages; if you are on second marriage, write 2.
• Religious-only marriages count if recognized by the country where formed.

Item 4.a: Current spouse's family name (last name). Required only if you are currently married. Match the spelling on the spouse's most recent state-issued ID or, if a non-citizen spouse, the most recent USCIS notice. Leave blank if not currently married.

• Current spouse family name.

Item 4.a: Current spouse's given name (first name). Required only if you are currently married.

• Current spouse given name.

Item 4.a: Current spouse's middle name (if any). Optional. Leave blank if no middle name.

• Current spouse middle name; blank if none.

Item 4.d: Current spouse's date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY). Required only if currently married.

• Spouse DOB.

Item 4.e: Date of current marriage (MM/DD/YYYY). Required only if currently married. The date you and your current spouse legally entered the marriage. For INA 319(a) (3-year rule), this date must be at least 3 years before the N-400 filing date and your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for those 3 years.

• Date of legal marriage; if you had a religious ceremony first and a legal one later, use the legal date.
• Critical for spouse-of-citizen 3-year naturalization basis.

Item 4.b (current spouse address) (optional): In care of name. Optional. Use only if spouse's mail routes through someone else.

• Spouse mail c/o; blank if not applicable.

Item 4.b: Current spouse's street number. Required only if currently married. Numeric portion (e.g. 1234).

• Spouse address: street number.

Item 4.b: Current spouse's street name. Required only if currently married. Full street name without number.

• Spouse address: street name.

Item 4.b (optional): Current spouse's unit type. Optional unit indicator. Leave all unchecked if no unit.

• Spouse address: pick from listed options; blank if no unit.

Item 4.b: Current spouse's city or town. Required only if currently married.

• Spouse address: legal city name.

Item 4.b: Current spouse's ZIP or postal code. Required only if currently married.

• Spouse address: 5 digits.

Item 4.b (foreign addresses only): Current spouse's province. Required only if spouse's address is outside the U.S. and uses a province subdivision.

• Province for non-U.S. spouse address.

Item 4.b (foreign addresses only): Current spouse's foreign postal code. Required only for foreign addresses with a postal code separate from the ZIP field.

• Foreign postal code.

Item 4.b: Current spouse's country. Required only if currently married. Use 'United States' for domestic.

• Spouse address: country name; 'United States' for U.S.

Item 4.g: Current spouse's employer or company name (if any). Required only if currently married and the spouse is employed. Write 'Self-employed' if spouse owns the business; 'Unemployed' or 'Retired' if not working. For INA 319(a) (3-year rule), USCIS does not require employment but this item helps verify cohabitation and bona-fide marriage.

• Spouse current employer's legal name; if unemployed, write 'Unemployed'.

Whether the current spouse is a U.S. citizen (item 5). Eligibility anchor for the 3-year marital rule.

• Required for spouse-of-citizen 3-year basis (1.B); spouse must be USC throughout the 3-year period. The 1.D basis (Spouse in Qualified Employment Abroad, INA 319(b)) also requires a USC spouse but waives the 3-year residence requirement.
• If LPR, the 5-year basis applies.

Item 5.a: If spouse is a U.S. citizen, did the spouse acquire citizenship by birth or naturalization?. Required only if you marked Yes above. Birth covers U.S.-born citizens, citizens born to U.S.-citizen parents abroad, and citizens by birth in U.S. territories. Naturalization covers anyone who took the oath of allegiance, including former LPRs.

• Spouse's path to U.S. citizenship: birth in U.S., birth abroad to USC parent, naturalization.

Item 5.b: If spouse acquired citizenship by naturalization, date of naturalization (MM/DD/YYYY). Required only if you marked 'by naturalization' above. Pull from the spouse's Certificate of Naturalization. For INA 319(a), this date must be at least 3 years before your N-400 filing date.

• Date spouse naturalized; required if spouse acquired citizenship by naturalization.

Total children (item 1). Includes all biological, adopted, and step-children, of any age, whether living with the applicant or not, U.S. citizen or not, alive or deceased.

• Count all biological, adopted, and step-children regardless of age, marital status, citizenship, or location.
• Required disclosure; deceased children also count.

Do you have 2 or more children to list on this form?. Item 2 of Part 6 expects details for each child. The first child fills the on-form table; additional children fill Part 14 overflow. Pick Yes if you need to list a 2nd child.

• Trigger for additional children rows in Part 6.

Do you have 3 or more children to list on this form?. If Yes, list the third (and any additional) children in Part 14 Additional Information using the convention 'Part 6, Item 2.c (Third Child)' followed by the child's full name, A-Number if any, country of birth, date of birth, current address, and citizenship status.

• Trigger for additional children rows beyond 2.

Whether the applicant has served in U.S. Armed Forces. Yes opens INA 328 / 329 path with $0 fee and triggers N-426 requirement.

• Required if you served in the U.S. armed forces or other countries' armed forces; military service may qualify for INA sections 328 / 329 expedited naturalization.

Most recent employer or school. Use 'Self-employed', 'Unemployed', 'Retired', or 'Student' as appropriate. Required for the 5-year (or 3-year) employment chain.

• Most recent employer's legal name; 'Self-employed' + business name; 'Unemployed' with explanation in Part 14 if needed.

Employer 1: City or town. City of the employer's address, or city where you were a student / self-employed / unemployed.

• Employer 1: legal city name.

Employer 1: State (US) or province (foreign). Two-letter US state code (CA, NY, TX) or full province name.

• Employer 1: two-letter state abbreviation.

Employer 1: ZIP or postal code. 5-digit US ZIP or foreign postal code.

• Employer 1: 5 digits.

Employer 1: Country. Use 'United States' for domestic. Employment outside the U.S. is allowed but should match a corresponding trip abroad in Part 8.

• Employer 1: country name; 'United States' for U.S.

Employer 1: Date you started this job, school, or status (MM/DD/YYYY). Approximate dates accepted. The 5-year window begins 5 years before the N-400 filing date (3 years for 319(a) applicants).

• Date current job started.

Employer 1: Date you ended this job, school, or status (MM/DD/YYYY) or PRESENT. Write 'Present' if you still hold this employment.

• 'Present' if current; otherwise date job ended.

Employer 1: Your occupation or field of study. Brief job title or course of study. The wizard maps a single entry into all three sub-cells the form provides for this row.

• Specific role; not 'employee'.

Employer 2: Employer or school name. Second-most-recent employer or school in the 5-year window.

• Prior employer; 5-year chain.

Employer 2: City or town. City of the employer's address.

• Employer 2: legal city name.

Employer 2: State or province. Two-letter US state code or full province name.

• Employer 2: two-letter state abbreviation.

Employer 2: ZIP or postal code. 5-digit US ZIP or foreign postal code.

• Employer 2: 5 digits.

Employer 2: Country. Use 'United States' for domestic.

• Employer 2: country name; 'United States' for U.S.

Employer 2: Date started (MM/DD/YYYY). Date you began this employment, school, or status.

• Date prior job started.

Employer 2: Date ended (MM/DD/YYYY). Date you left this employment, school, or status.

• Date prior job ended.

Employer 2: Occupation or field of study. Brief job title or field of study.

• Specific role at prior job.

Employer 3: Employer or school name. Third-most-recent employer or school in the 5-year window. If you need more than 3 rows, use Part 14 Additional Information with the convention 'Part 7, Item 4 (4th Employer)'.

• Earliest 5-year employer; use Part 14 for additional.

Employer 3: City or town. City of the employer's address.

• Employer 3: legal city name.

Employer 3: State or province. Two-letter US state code or full province name.

• Employer 3: two-letter state abbreviation.

Employer 3: ZIP or postal code. 5-digit US ZIP or foreign postal code.

• Employer 3: 5 digits.

Employer 3: Country. Use 'United States' for domestic.

• Employer 3: country name; 'United States' for U.S.

Employer 3: Date started (MM/DD/YYYY). Date you began this employment, school, or status.

• Date started.

Employer 3: Date ended (MM/DD/YYYY). Date you left this employment, school, or status.

• Date ended.

Employer 3: Occupation or field of study. Brief job title or field of study.

• Specific role.

Trip 1 (most recent): Date you left the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). List every trip of 24 hours or more outside the U.S. in the 5 years before filing (3 years for INA 319(a) applicants). USCIS adds up the days outside the U.S. and deducts them from your physical-presence count. You need at least 30 months of physical presence in the 5-year window (18 months in the 3-year window). Trips of 6 months or more raise a continuous-residence presumption that you abandoned residence; trips of 1 year or more break continuous residence outright unless preserved by Form N-470.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 1: Date you returned to the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Pull from the date stamp in your passport at the U.S. port of entry, or from CBP's I-94 history at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 1: Country or countries you visited. Comma-separated list of every country you set foot in during this trip. (Field labeled P9 in the AcroForm but renders as the Trip 1 Countries cell on the printed N-400.)

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 2: Date you left the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Second-most-recent trip of 24 hours or more.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 2: Date you returned to the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Date you re-entered the U.S.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 2: Country or countries you visited. Comma-separated list of every country you set foot in during this trip.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 3: Date you left the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Third-most-recent trip.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 3: Date you returned to the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Date you re-entered the U.S.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 3: Country or countries you visited. Comma-separated list of every country you set foot in during this trip.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 4: Date you left the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Fourth-most-recent trip.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 4: Date you returned to the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Date you re-entered the U.S.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 4: Country or countries you visited. Comma-separated list of every country you set foot in during this trip.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 5: Date you left the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Fifth-most-recent trip.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 5: Date you returned to the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Date you re-entered the U.S.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 5: Country or countries you visited. Comma-separated list of every country you set foot in during this trip.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 6: Date you left the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Sixth (oldest) trip in the 5-year window. Additional trips list in Part 14 with the convention 'Part 8, Item 1 (Trip 7)' and so on.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 6: Date you returned to the United States (MM/DD/YYYY). Date you re-entered the U.S.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Trip 6: Country or countries you visited. Comma-separated list of every country you set foot in during this trip.

• Combining multi-leg trips into one row; USCIS counts each separate departure-return as its own trip.

Item 1: claimed U.S. citizenship. False claim under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(ii) is a permanent inadmissibility unless the under-16 / sincere-belief / pre-09/30/96 I-9 exception applies.

• False claim to U.S. citizenship is a permanent bar to admission and naturalization under INA section 212(a)(6)(C)(ii); a 'yes' answer almost always denies the application.
• Be honest; cross-checks with employment records (I-9), state IDs, and voter rolls are common.

Item 2: registered to vote. DMV motor-voter automatic registration counts. Yes typically denial unless the registration was canceled and contemporaneous evidence shows the registrant believed they were eligible.

• Registering to vote (or being automatically registered through 'motor voter' at the DMV) when not a U.S. citizen is a serious issue under INA section 212(a)(10)(D); honest disclosure required.
• Some states automatically register you when you get a driver's license; you may have done this without intent.

Item 3: voted in U.S. election. Voting as non-citizen is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 611 and a denial ground under INA 212(a)(10)(D). Yes typically results in denial; consult attorney before filing.

• Actually voting in a federal election is a permanent bar under INA section 212(a)(10)(D); state and local elections may also count depending on state law.
• Even a single ballot cast is sufficient; honest disclosure required.

Item 4: owes overdue taxes. GMC factor. Pay or set up a payment plan with the IRS or state revenue department before filing.

• Yes if you owe federal, state, or local taxes; affects good moral character determination.
• Approved IRS payment plans are not bars; bring the agreement to the interview.

Item 5.a: failed to file tax return since LPR. USCIS expects LPRs to file every year they meet the IRS filing threshold. Pull tax transcripts at irs.gov/account; file missing returns before submitting N-400.

• Yes if you failed to file required tax returns; affects good moral character.
• If you were not required to file (e.g., income below threshold), explain in Part 14.

Item 5.b: filed as non-resident. Strong abandonment-of-LPR-status indicator under INA 101(a)(20).

• Yes if you ever claimed nonresident status on a tax return after becoming an LPR; this can break continuous residence under INA section 316(a).

Item 7: member of any group, association, or organization. Triggers Part 14 follow-up listing if Yes.

• Includes ANY group: political parties, religious organizations, professional associations, fraternal orders, social clubs, Communist or totalitarian parties, and military / paramilitary units.
• Honest disclosure required; INA section 313 bars communist or totalitarian party members from naturalization.

Item 8.a: Communist Party member. INA 313 bar with limited exceptions (involuntary, terminated 10+ years ago, asylum/refugee with renunciation).

• Membership in or affiliation with the Communist Party (or any totalitarian party) bars naturalization under INA section 313.
• Some exceptions (involuntary, before age 16, terminated more than 5 years before filing); explain in Part 14.

Item 8.b: Have you EVER been a member of, or in any way associated with, any other totalitarian party?. INA 313 also bars members of any other totalitarian party (e.g. fascist, Nazi-successor, single-party authoritarian regimes). Same exceptions as 8.a. Yes typically requires attorney review.

• Misjudging good-moral-character items; partial truths read as misrepresentation.

Item 9: terrorist organization member. INA 212(a)(3)(B) bar. Yes typically denial; consult attorney.

• Membership in or support for any terrorist organization is a permanent bar under INA section 212(a)(3)(B).
• Includes financial support and tangible aid; honest disclosure required.

Item 10.a: Have you EVER advocated (either directly or indirectly) the overthrow of any government by force or violence?. INA 313 bars anyone who advocates the violent overthrow of government, anywhere in the world. Verbal or written advocacy counts. Past membership in a revolutionary organization typically triggers Yes here. Most applicants answer No.

• Misjudging good-moral-character items; partial truths read as misrepresentation.

Item 10.b: Have you EVER persecuted (either directly or indirectly) any person because of race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion?. INA 212(a)(3)(E) bars naturalization for anyone who personally persecuted others. This is the so-called Nazi / war-crimes / human-rights-violator bar. Yes typically results in denial and possible referral to ICE / DOJ. Pro se applicants answering Yes should consult an attorney.

• Misjudging good-moral-character items; partial truths read as misrepresentation.

Item 10.c: Have you EVER advocated for, or been involved with, the unlawful use of weapons or explosives?. Item 10.c covers advocacy of unlawful armed activity, including assassination, sabotage, and unlawful weapons use. Most applicants answer No.

• Misjudging good-moral-character items; partial truths read as misrepresentation.

Item 11: Have you EVER been a member of, or in any way associated with, the Nazi government of Germany between March 23, 1933 and May 8, 1945?. INA 212(a)(3)(E)(i) and the Holtzman Amendment specifically bar Nazi-affiliated naturalization. Yes triggers immediate referral to the DOJ Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section. Almost no living applicant qualifies for Yes given the date range.

• Misjudging good-moral-character items; partial truths read as misrepresentation.

Item 12: Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any of the following: (a) Acts of torture, (b) Genocide, (c) Killing or attempting to kill a person, (d) Intentionally and severely injuring a person, (e) Engaging in any kind of sexual contact with anyone who did not consent or was unable to consent, (f) Limiting or denying any person's ability to exercise religious beliefs?. INA 212(a)(3)(E) covers a broad range of human-rights violations. Yes triggers denial and likely referral. Most applicants answer No.

• Misjudging good-moral-character items; partial truths read as misrepresentation.

Item 13: Have you EVER been a member of, served in, helped, or otherwise participated in any of the following groups: (a) Military unit, (b) Paramilitary unit (a group of people who act like a military group but are not part of an official military), (c) Police unit, (d) Self-defense unit, (e) Vigilante unit (a group of people who take the law into their own hands), (f) Rebel group, (g) Guerrilla group (a group that uses surprise attacks against an official military), (h) Militia (an army of citizens, rather than professional soldiers), (i) Insurgent organization (a group that uses armed force to try to overthrow a government), (j) Any group that used a weapon against any person, or threatened to do so?. Includes formal military service abroad, conscription into a national army, and any irregular armed group. Yes opens follow-up questions about role and dates. Past military service in your country of origin is typically explained without denial; armed-group affiliation is much more closely scrutinized.

• Misjudging good-moral-character items; partial truths read as misrepresentation.

Item 14: Have you EVER recruited (asked), enlisted (signed up), conscripted (required), or used any person under 15 years of age to serve in or help an armed force or group?. INA 212(a)(3)(G) bars recruiters of child soldiers. Yes typically triggers denial and referral. Most applicants answer No.

• Misjudging good-moral-character items; partial truths read as misrepresentation.

Item 15.a: habitual drunkard. INA 101(f)(1) bar.

• Habitual drunkenness during the statutory period (5 years, or 3 for spouse-of-USC) bars on good-moral-character grounds under INA section 101(f)(1).

Item 15.b: controlled-substance trafficking. INA 212(a)(2)(C) bar; reaches assistance / conspiracy without conviction. Yes typically denial.

• Conviction for any controlled-substance offense (including simple possession) is generally a bar.
• Single offense of simple possession of 30g or less of marijuana may have an exception; consult counsel.

Item 16: Have you EVER been a prostitute, procured anyone for prostitution, or intended to bring prostitutes into the United States?. INA 212(a)(2)(D) bars naturalization for prostitution-related activity within 10 years of filing. Yes is a basis for denial.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 17.a: Have you EVER been involved in any way with any of the following: Polygamy (the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time)?. INA 101(f)(3) bars practicing polygamists. Yes is a basis for denial. The bar applies to actively practicing polygamy in the U.S.; foreign cultural marriages typically require attorney consultation.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 17.b: Have you EVER been involved in any way with any of the following: Smuggling, helping, or attempting to help anyone enter the United States illegally?. INA 212(a)(6)(E) bars naturalization for alien smugglers, with limited exceptions for spouse / parent / child smuggling before 05/05/88. Yes is a basis for denial; consult an attorney.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 17.c: Have you EVER been involved in any way with any of the following: Illegal gambling (including running an illegal gambling operation)?. INA 101(f)(4)-(5) bars naturalization for income from illegal gambling (e.g. running illegal sports books, unlicensed casinos, illegal numbers operations) within 5 years of filing. Casual personal gambling is not a bar.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 17.d: Have you EVER lied to any U.S. government official to gain entry or admission into the United States, or to gain immigration benefits while in the United States?. INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) bars naturalization for fraud or willful misrepresentation to obtain a visa, admission, or immigration benefit. Yes is a basis for denial unless a 212(i) waiver applies. Consult an attorney.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 17.e: Have you EVER intentionally failed to support a spouse or dependent child as required by court order or contract?. INA 101(f)(7) bars confinement to a penal institution for 180+ days, but family support is also a good-moral-character factor. Past child-support orders satisfied or under payment plan are typically not denial grounds; willful refusal to pay despite ability to pay is.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 17.f: Have you EVER married someone for the purpose of obtaining an immigration benefit?. INA 204(c) bars naturalization based on a fraudulent marriage. Yes typically results in denial and possible criminal referral under 8 U.S.C. 1325(c). Consult an attorney.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 17.g: Have you EVER helped anyone enter or attempt to enter the United States illegally, OR have you helped anyone marry someone for the purpose of obtaining an immigration benefit?. Aiding sham marriages or smuggling is a basis for denial. Consult an attorney.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 17.h: Have you EVER provided false or misleading information to any U.S. government official while applying for any immigration benefit or to prevent removal, deportation, or exclusion?. Lying to immigration officers, including on prior I-485 / I-130 / asylum / etc. filings, is a basis for denial under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i). Consult an attorney before filing.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 18: ever arrested, cited, detained, or stopped. Disclose all law-enforcement contacts including sealed, expunged, dismissed, juvenile, traffic. USCIS pulls FBI records and matches to this list.

• All arrests, charges, and citations count, including dismissed cases, juvenile cases, expunged records, and traffic citations resulting in arrest.
• USCIS cross-checks FBI fingerprint and state-court databases; omission triggers good-moral-character denial.

Item 19: Have you EVER been charged with committing, attempting to commit, or assisting in committing a crime or offense?. Disclose every charge regardless of outcome. Includes charges later dropped, dismissed, or expunged.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 20: ever convicted. Sealed / expunged / vacated convictions still count for immigration (Matter of Roldan, 22 I&N Dec. 512).

• All convictions count; sealed and expunged records still count for immigration purposes.
• Bring certified court records to the interview for every entry.

Item 21: Have you EVER been placed in an alternative sentencing or rehabilitative program (for example, diversion, deferred prosecution, withheld adjudication, or deferred adjudication)?. Diversion programs and deferred adjudications, even ones that result in dismissal, count for USCIS. Disclose every program.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 22.a: male between 18-26 in U.S. as LPR or other-than-nonimmigrant status. Selective Service is the most-cited N-400 denial ground for males. Verify registration at sss.gov/verify; failure to register before age 26 can permanently bar GMC for the 5-year window unless 'not knowing and willful' standard is met (USCIS Policy Manual Vol 12, Part F, Chapter 5).

• Required for all male applicants who lived in the U.S. between ages 18-26 (with limited exceptions for nonimmigrants).
• Failure to register can affect good moral character; consult Selective Service System for status verification.

Item 22.b: did register with Selective Service. Verify at sss.gov/verify.

• If you did not register and were required to, explain in Part 14 (was unaware, was outside U.S., etc.).

Date of Selective Service registration. From sss.gov/verify or registration acknowledgment letter.

• Date you registered with Selective Service.

Selective Service Number. 11 digits. From sss.gov/verify.

• Selective Service registration number.

Item 23: Are you now, or have you EVER been, a member of, or in any way associated (either directly or indirectly) with the United States Armed Forces?. Yes if you served in any branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, Reserve). Active-duty applicants typically file under INA 328 / 329 (1-year rule) and have the fee waived. Past military service is generally a positive factor for good moral character.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 24: Have you EVER left the United States to avoid being drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces?. INA 314 bars naturalization for anyone who left the U.S. or remained outside the U.S. to avoid military service in time of war or national emergency.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 25: Have you EVER deserted from the U.S. Armed Forces?. INA 314 bars deserters in time of war from naturalization. Honorable separation is unaffected.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 26.a: Have you EVER applied for any kind of exemption from military service in the U.S. Armed Forces?. INA 315 bars naturalization for anyone who claimed an exemption from U.S. military service on the basis of being an alien. Conscientious-objector or medical exemptions are generally not a bar; alienage exemption (e.g. Form DD-1380 'I claim exemption as a non-resident alien') is a permanent bar.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 26.b: If yes to 26.a, were you granted that exemption?. Required only if 26.a is Yes. Receiving an alienage-based exemption is a permanent bar to naturalization.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 26.c: If yes to 26.a, did you base your request for the exemption on the fact that you were not a U.S. citizen?. Required only if 26.a is Yes. A Yes here triggers the INA 315 bar.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 26.d: If yes to 26.a, did you ever receive a discharge from the Armed Forces?. Required only if 26.a is Yes. Used to determine the type of discharge.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 27: willing to take full Oath of Allegiance. Yes is required unless requesting religious-conscience modification under INA 337(a) (items 30.a / 30.b / 31).

• If you cannot take the standard Oath because of religious or conscientious-objector grounds, request modification under INA section 337(a).

Item 28: Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States?. Yes confirms you can recite and explain the oath. USCIS officers may ask you to demonstrate understanding at the interview. If you cannot pass the English requirement, the N-648 medical waiver path may apply.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 29: Have you EVER been a hereditary noble or held any title of nobility in any foreign country?. INA 337(b) requires you to renounce foreign titles of nobility (e.g. Sir, Lord, Lady, Count, Baron, Duchess) at the oath ceremony. Yes here triggers the renunciation in your oath; the title is not a bar.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Item 29: If yes, list the titles you have held. Required only if you answered Yes to item 29. List each title you held with the country and approximate dates.

• Underreporting tax filings or organization memberships; USCIS cross-checks IRS and intelligence community records.

Self-identified Hispanic-or-Latino status (item 1). Used by USCIS for FBI fingerprint matching and identity verification.

• Hispanic / Latino or Not Hispanic / Latino (federal OMB format).

Self-identified race (item 2). Multi-select. Used for FBI fingerprint matching.

• Multi-select; check all that apply.

Height in feet (item 3).

• U.S. customary; convert from cm if needed.

Height in inches above the feet (item 3).

• 0-11 inches additional.

Weight in pounds (item 4). Approximate is acceptable.

• Convert kg to pounds (1 kg = 2.205 lb); whole pounds.

Eye color (item 5).

• Pick from listed options.

Hair color (item 6).

• Pick from listed options; natural color if dyed.

Item 7.d (verify on printed form): Have you EVER been a member of any group whose name you did not list above?. Item 7.d is a 'completeness' follow-up to item 7. Yes triggers a Part 14 overflow listing.

• Follow-up disclosure for group membership.

Item 30.a: Are you willing to bear arms on behalf of the United States, if the law requires it?. Yes is the default. INA 337 provides religious-conscience modifications: a No here typically means you are conscientious objector by sincere religious belief and want a modified oath (no firearms). USCIS may require evidence of the religious-conscience basis (e.g. attestation from a recognized religious organization).

• If yes, you commit to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces in combat if drafted.
• Conscientious objectors check no and explain in Part 14.

Item 30.b: Are you willing to perform noncombatant service in the U.S. Armed Forces, if the law requires it?. Yes is the default. No here means you also want a modified oath excluding noncombatant military service. USCIS expects this only when the religious basis specifically excludes noncombatant service.

• If yes, you commit to serve in noncombat military roles.
• Conscientious objectors may check no and request modified Oath.

Item 31: Are you willing to perform work of national importance under civilian direction, if the law requires it?. Yes is the default. No here means you want a modified oath excluding all forms of military or civilian-direction service.

• If yes, you commit to perform civilian work of national importance under civilian direction (alternative to military service).

Item 32: willing to renounce foreign allegiance. Yes is required for naturalization. Some countries (Germany, India, Japan) require formal post-oath relinquishment of their citizenship; that is a foreign-law concern, not a U.S. requirement.

• Required commitment to renounce foreign allegiances; some applicants confuse this with renouncing other citizenships.
• U.S. allows dual citizenship; the Oath does not, by itself, terminate other nationalities.

Item 33: support U.S. Constitution and form of government. Yes is required under INA 316(a)(3).

• Required commitment to support the U.S. Constitution and form of government.

Item 34: Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States?. Yes is required. USCIS officers may ask you to recite or paraphrase the oath at the interview.

• Self-attestation about understanding U.S. history and government; the civics test verifies this in person.

Item 35: Are you requesting a modification of the Oath of Allegiance based on your religious training and belief, or non-religious belief based on a deeply held moral or ethical code?. Yes here triggers item 30.a / 30.b / 31 / 32 modifications. Attach Form N-400 Supplement: a written statement of the religious or ethical basis for the modification, plus supporting documents (clergy attestation, religious-organization letter, or sincere personal-belief statement).

• If you cannot take parts of the standard Oath for religious or conscientious reasons, request modification.

Item 36 (verify on printed form): Are you requesting a waiver of the English language requirement under INA 312(b)(2)?. INA 312(b)(2) provides English-language exemptions for: (a) applicants 50+ at filing with 20+ years LPR status (50 / 20 rule); (b) applicants 55+ at filing with 15+ years LPR status (55 / 15 rule). Both groups still take the civics test in their native language. Most applicants under 50 do not qualify and answer No here.

• Civics waiver under INA section 312(b): age 50+ AND LPR for 20+ years allows civics test in your native language with English exemption (50/20 waiver).

Item 37 (verify on printed form): Are you requesting the simplified civics test under INA 312(b)(3) for applicants 65+ with 20+ years LPR?. INA 312(b)(3) provides a 20-question simplified civics test for applicants 65+ at filing with 20+ years LPR (65 / 20 rule). The full civics test asks 100 questions; the simplified test asks 20. Civics-test exemption based on disability uses Form N-648 instead of this item.

• Civics waiver under INA section 312(b): age 65+ AND LPR for 20+ years takes a simplified civics test of 20 questions (must answer 6 correctly), in your native language.

Criminal-history row 1: Date of arrest, citation, detention, or charge (MM/DD/YYYY). Required if you answered Yes to any of items 18-21. List each entry separately. Sealed, expunged, dismissed, juvenile, and traffic-only matters all count. USCIS pulls FBI records and matches them to this list.

• Date of arrest, citation, or charge.
• If only year is known, use January 1 with explanation in Part 14.

Criminal-history row 1: Reason (charge, citation, or detention reason). Brief description of the offense or reason for the police contact (e.g. 'DUI', 'Shoplifting', 'Driving without license').

• Reason / charge; be specific (not 'misdemeanor', but 'driving under the influence').
• Use the exact charge from the court records, not your interpretation.

Criminal-history row 1: Outcome (charge, conviction, dismissal, etc.). Brief description of how the matter resolved (e.g. 'Dismissed after diversion', 'Conviction with $500 fine', 'No charges filed', 'Sealed by court'). Form provides 3 sub-cells; wizard maps your entry into all three.

• Disposition: convicted, dismissed, acquitted, deferred, sentence completed, pretrial diversion, etc.

Criminal-history row 1: Date of conviction (if convicted; MM/DD/YYYY). Date of conviction or judgment, if any. Leave blank if not convicted.

• Date of conviction; blank if not convicted.

Criminal-history row 2: Date of arrest, citation, detention, or charge (MM/DD/YYYY). Second entry, if applicable.

• Date of arrest, citation, or charge.

Criminal-history row 2: Reason. Brief description of the offense or reason.

• Specific charge.

Criminal-history row 2: Outcome. Brief description of resolution.

• Disposition.

Criminal-history row 2: Date of conviction (if any). Date of conviction or judgment, if any.

• Date of conviction or blank.

Criminal-history row 3: Date of arrest, citation, detention, or charge (MM/DD/YYYY). Third entry, if applicable.

• Date of arrest, citation, or charge.

Criminal-history row 3: Reason. Brief description.

• Specific charge.

Criminal-history row 3: Outcome. Brief description.

• Disposition.

Criminal-history row 3: Date of conviction (if any). Date of conviction or judgment, if any.

• Date of conviction or blank.

Criminal-history row 4: Date of arrest, citation, detention, or charge (MM/DD/YYYY). Fourth entry, if applicable.

• Date of arrest, citation, or charge.

Criminal-history row 4: Reason. Brief description.

• Specific charge.

Criminal-history row 4: Outcome. Brief description.

• Disposition.

Criminal-history row 4: Date of conviction (if any). Date of conviction or judgment, if any.

• Date of conviction or blank.

Criminal-history row 5: Date of arrest, citation, detention, or charge (MM/DD/YYYY). Fifth entry, if applicable. Use Part 14 for additional rows beyond 5.

• Date of arrest, citation, or charge; use Part 14 for additional rows.

Criminal-history row 5: Reason. Brief description.

• Specific charge.

Criminal-history row 5: Outcome. Brief description.

• Disposition.

Criminal-history row 5: Date of conviction (if any). Date of conviction or judgment, if any.

• Date of conviction or blank.

Item 1: Reduced-fee eligibility. The USCIS reduced fee (50% of paper filing fee, currently $380 on N-400 instead of $760) is available to applicants at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The 04/01/24 fee rule (89 Fed. Reg. 6194) retired Form I-942 and moved this request onto Part 10 of the N-400 itself. Picking No here and proceeding to Part 11 is the correct path for applicants paying the full fee or filing I-912 separately for the full $0 waiver.

• Confusing the reduced fee (50% off, household income at or below 400% FPG, handled inside N-400 Part 10) with the full I-912 fee waiver (handled on a separate form, requires income at or below 150% FPG or means-tested benefit or financial hardship). N-400 applicants may file Part 10 or I-912 but not both.
• Forgetting that the $0 fee under INA 328 / 329 (military) is requested by attaching Form N-426, not by Part 10.

Item 2: Total household income (annual, USD). Sum every household member's gross annual income before tax. Pull from your most recent IRS Form 1040 line 9 (Total Income) plus untaxed Social Security, unemployment benefits, and other untaxed receipts. Compare to the 400% FPG ceiling for your household size (item 3) at aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines.

• Reporting only the applicant's own income; the form asks for total HOUSEHOLD income (every member's income summed).
• Reporting Adjusted Gross Income (line 11) instead of Total Income (line 9); USCIS uses total income for the FPG comparison.

Item 3: Household size. Count yourself + spouse + every dependent child you claim on your tax return + any other dependent who lives with you and shares income. The HHS Poverty Guidelines table at aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines uses this number to set the 400% FPG income ceiling that determines reduced-fee eligibility.

• Forgetting to count yourself.
• Including roommates or others who do not share income or are not dependents.

Item 4: Total number of household members earning income, including yourself. Count every household member whose income you summed in item 2. Do not count children or other dependents who do not earn income. The widget for item 4 is the legacy AcroForm name P11_Line1_TotalChildren[1] (template recycled from an earlier edition); the visible position on Edition 01/20/25 is item 4 of Part 10.

• Confusing total household members (item 3) with the number who earn income (item 4).

Item 5.a: Are you the head of household? Yes if you file (or would file) taxes as head of household, are the primary wage earner, or are the household's principal financial decision-maker. Pick No only if someone else in the household holds that role; if you pick No, name them in item 5.b.

• Selecting No because the applicant is married; head of household and married-filing-jointly are different concepts. For Part 10, USCIS treats the applicant as head of household when the applicant signs the N-400 and is the primary earner / financial lead in the home.

Item 5.b: Name of head of household. Required only if you answered No to 5.a. Full legal name of the household's head of household (the person whose income drives the household total in item 2).

• Leaving blank when 5.a is No; USCIS reads a blank 5.b after No on 5.a as an incomplete request.

Item 3: applicant daytime telephone. USCIS uses to confirm interview, RFEs, oath ceremony.

• 10 digits with area code.

Item 4: Applicant's mobile telephone number (if different). 10 digits. Optional if same as item 3.

• Cell phone with area code.

Item 5: Applicant's email address (if any). Optional. USCIS-Online-Account holders are notified by email. If you have a my.uscis.gov account, use that account's email here.

• Email applicant checks regularly; USCIS sends interview notices.

Date of Part 11 applicant signature. Wet-ink signing date. USCIS rejects forms signed more than 30 days before filing.

• Date you sign (MM/DD/YYYY); should match filing date.

Did you use an interpreter to fill out this form?. Most pro se English-speaking applicants pick No and leave Part 12 blank. Pick Yes only if a third party translated the form's questions into a language you understand. The interpreter must sign Part 12 in the same wet-ink session as your Part 11 signature.

• Yes if anyone interpreted the form for you; interpreter must complete Part 12 certification.
• If reading and writing English, leave blank.

Item 1.a: Interpreter's family name (last name). Required only if you used an interpreter.

• Interpreter family name.

Item 1.b: Interpreter's given name (first name). Required only if you used an interpreter.

• Interpreter given name.

Item 2: Interpreter's business or organization name (if any). Optional. Leave blank if a friend or relative interpreted.

• Interpreter business / organization name; blank if individual.

Item 4: Interpreter's daytime telephone number. Required only if you used an interpreter.

• Interpreter phone with area code.

Item 5: Interpreter's mobile telephone number. Optional.

• Interpreter cell phone.

Item 5: Interpreter's email address. Optional.

• Interpreter email.

Item 6: Language used in the interpretation. Required only if you used an interpreter. The language the interpreter translated questions and answers between (e.g. Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese).

• Language used by interpreter.

Item 7: Date of interpreter signature (MM/DD/YYYY). Required only if you used an interpreter. Same date as your applicant signature in Part 11.

• Date interpreter signs.

Did anyone other than you prepare this application for you?. Pro se applicants pick No. Pick Yes only if a third party (attorney, accredited representative, paralegal, or filing-assistance service) helped fill out the form. The preparer must sign Part 13. If your only assistance was an interpreter, that goes in Part 12 instead.

• Yes if anyone other than you, spouse, parent, or child completed any part of the form (notario, family member, attorney).
• Preparer must complete Part 13.

Item 1.a: Preparer's family name (last name). Required only if you used a preparer.

• Preparer family name.

Item 1.b: Preparer's given name (first name). Required only if you used a preparer.

• Preparer given name.

Item 2: Preparer's business or organization name (if any). Optional. Leave blank if a friend or relative prepared.

• Preparer business / organization name.

Item 4: Preparer's daytime telephone number. Required only if you used a preparer.

• Preparer phone with area code.

Item 5: Preparer's mobile telephone number. Optional.

• Preparer cell phone.

Item 6: Preparer's email address. Optional.

• Preparer email.

Item 7.b: Date of preparer signature (MM/DD/YYYY). Required only if you used a preparer. Same date as your applicant signature in Part 11.

• Date preparer signs.

Page 13 header: Applicant family name (auto-filled from Part 2). Auto-fills with your current legal family name.

• Same as Part 2 applicant family name.

Page 13 header: Applicant given name (auto-filled from Part 2). Auto-fills with your current legal given name.

• Same as Part 2 applicant given name.

Page 13 header: Applicant middle name (auto-filled from Part 2). Auto-fills with your current legal middle name.

• Same as Part 2; blank if none.

Overflow row 1: Page number being expanded. Format: page number from the printed N-400 (e.g. 6, 8, 10) where the item that overflows is located. Use Part 14 when an item's table or text field cannot fit your full answer.

• Page number of the original entry that needs continuation.

Overflow row 1: Part number. Part number being expanded (e.g. 4, 7, 8, 9). Use 'Part 4' for additional residence rows, 'Part 7' for additional employer rows, etc.

• Part of the original entry (e.g., 'Part 4').

Overflow row 1: Item number. Item number within the part (e.g. 1, 3, 7.a). Optional sub-letter for multi-part items.

• Item / row number of the original entry.

Overflow row 1: Additional information. The actual content that did not fit in the original item. Cite the original prompt at the top of your text (e.g. 'Part 8 Item 1 Trip 7: Date Left: 03/15/2024, Date Returned: 03/22/2024, Countries: Mexico, Belize').

• Continuation text; specific facts beat generalizations.

Overflow row 2: Page number. Page number from the printed N-400.

• Page reference.

Overflow row 2: Part number. Part number being expanded.

• Part reference.

Overflow row 2: Item number. Item number within the part.

• Item reference.

Overflow row 2: Additional information. The actual content that did not fit.

• Continuation text.

Overflow row 3: Page number. Page number from the printed N-400.

• Page reference.

Overflow row 3: Part number. Part number being expanded.

• Part reference.

Overflow row 3: Item number. Item number within the part.

• Item reference.

Overflow row 3: Additional information. The actual content that did not fit.

• Continuation text.

Overflow row 4: Page number. Page number from the printed N-400.

• Page reference.

Overflow row 4: Part number. Part number being expanded.

• Part reference.

Overflow row 4: Item number. Item number within the part.

• Item reference.

Overflow row 4: Additional information. The actual content that did not fit. If you need more than 4 rows, attach a separate signed-and-dated continuation sheet labeled 'Part 14 Continuation'.

• Continuation text; use additional sheets if more space needed.

Acknowledgment: Part 15 is filled at the USCIS naturalization interview, not now. At the interview the USCIS officer will ask you to sign Part 15 to certify that the answers in the form are true under oath as of the interview date. The officer also signs and prints their name. Leave Part 15 blank now; the wizard does not pre-fill these fields.

• Read carefully and check; this is the certification under penalty of perjury per 18 USC 1001 and 1546.
• False statements bar naturalization permanently and can result in criminal prosecution.