Becoming a U.S. citizen · Citizenship

Form N-400

Application for Naturalization

A separate final-stage filing

Form N-400 is the naturalization application. It is a separate encrypted case from Forms I-129F, I-130/I-130A, I-485, and I-751, but this workflow lets you selectively carry forward prior verified answers so you can update changes instead of starting over.

$79 for this filing product

The Effortless Visa product price is $79 for the N-400 workflow. Guidance for a supporting Form N-648 or fee-waiver request is included when applicable; government filing fees and outside professional or medical services are separate.

The current verified Form N-400 edition is 01/20/25. The guided workflow supports routine five-year and three-year spouse cases, client-side form preparation, evidence and filing-readiness checks, and a retained copy.

Check N-400 eligibility Back to the filing steps

Official-instruction preliminary screening

Nothing is sent to the server or saved until you choose to create an encrypted case. This screening does not replace a complete N-400 eligibility review.

Will you be at least 18 years old when filing?You generally must be at least 18 when filing N-400. Review citizenship-through-parent rules instead if you may already have become a citizen.Are you a lawful permanent resident?This answer is Yes only for a lawful permanent resident. Conditional residents generally qualify, but USCIS must resolve any remaining conditions before naturalization.Was either parent a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization before your 18th birthday?Choose Yes if either parent was a U.S. citizen before you turned 18. You may already be a citizen and should seek review before filing N-400.What is the basis for this naturalization filing?Choose the legal basis that applies to your naturalization case. The five-year, marriage-based, and military paths use different requirements and history periods.Date you became a lawful permanent residentCopy the "Resident Since" date from your green card. This date is used to calculate your residence period and possible early-filing date.Have you lived for at least three months in the state or USCIS district where you will file?You usually must live for at least three months in the state or USCIS district that covers your home. Early-filing rules can affect how USCIS counts this time.

Issues that need special reviewIs your Form I-751 pending, denied, or otherwise unresolved?Report an I-751 that remains pending, was denied, or has another unresolved result. USCIS generally must settle conditional residence before approving naturalization.Since becoming a permanent resident, have you taken any trip outside the United States lasting more than six months?Choose Yes if any trip after you became a permanent resident lasted more than six months. Such an absence can raise a presumption that continuous residence was broken.Since becoming a permanent resident, have you taken any trip outside the United States lasting one year or more?Choose Yes if any trip after you became a permanent resident lasted one year or longer. This generally breaks continuous residence unless a preservation rule applies.Are you relying on Form N-470 or another rule to preserve continuous residence?Choose Yes if an approved N-470 or another specific rule preserves your continuous residence during an absence. Working abroad alone does not preserve it.Have you ever been placed in removal, rescission, exclusion, or deportation proceedings?Answer Yes if you were ever placed in removal, rescission, exclusion, or deportation proceedings, even if the case was later closed or terminated. Use the answer shown on the person's most reliable record.Would any Form N-400 crime, arrest, citation, detention, charge, plea, or disposition question be Yes?Choose Yes if any crime-related question could apply, including arrests, citations, charges, pleas, convictions, sentences, or outcomes. A dismissal or expungement does not automatically remove disclosure.Do you have overdue taxes, a required tax return not filed, a payment plan, or any nonresident-alien tax treatment after becoming a permanent resident?Answer Yes if you owe overdue taxes, failed to file a required return, entered a payment plan, or claimed nonresident-alien treatment after becoming a permanent resident. Use the answer shown on the person's most reliable record.Would either the false U.S.-citizenship claim or U.S. voting/registration question be Yes?Choose Yes if a false citizenship claim, voter registration, or voting question could apply. Mistakes, automatic registration, and intent require legal review.Is there a possible Selective Service registration issue?Answer Yes if there is any uncertainty about whether you were required to register with Selective Service, whether you registered, or whether the record is accurate. Use the answer shown on the person's most reliable record.Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance, subject to official exceptions or modifications?Choose Yes only if you are willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance, unless an officially recognized change or waiver applies. Any other answer needs review.

Already understand the eligibility rules? You can continue to the N-400 questionnaire without completing this preliminary check.