Application for Naturalization

What Is the Purpose of Form N-400?
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is an application to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. If your biological or legal adoptive mother or father is a U.S. citizen by birth or was naturalized before you reached your 18th birthday, you may already be a U.S. citizen. Before you consider filing this application, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at www.uscis.gov for more information on this topic and to review the instructions for Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322. If either of your parents is a United States citizen, complete Part 6. Information About Your Parents as part of this application.

If neither of your parents is a United States citizen, complete Part 6. Information About Your Parents as part of this application. If neither of your parents is a United States citizen, skip Part 6. and complete Part 7. Biographical Information.

General Eligibility Requirements
You may apply for naturalization when you meet all the requirements to become a U.S. citizen. General eligibility requirements are the following:

1. You are at least 18 years of age at the time of filing (except active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces);
2. You are a permanent resident of the United States for a required period of time;
3. You have lived within the state or USCIS district where you claim residence for at least three months prior to filing;
4. You have demonstrated physical presence within the United States for a required period of time;
5. You have demonstrated continuous residence for a required period of time;
6. You demonstrate good moral character;
7. You demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution;
8. You demonstrate a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (also known as “civics”) as well as an ability to read, write, speak, and understand basic English; and
9. You take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States. Some applicants may be eligible for a modified oath.

Naturalization Testing

One of the requirements for naturalization is to take the naturalization test to demonstrate that you are able to read, write, and speak basic English and that you have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (civics).

Exemptions From the English Language Test

You are not required to take the English language test if:

1. At the time of filing your Form N-400, you are 50 years of age or older and have lived in the United States as a permanent resident for periods totaling at least 20 years. You do not have to take the English language test, but you do have to take the civics test in the language of your choice.
2. At the time of filing your Form N-400, you are 55 years of age or older and have lived in the United States as a permanent resident for periods totaling at least 15 years. You do not have to take the English language test, but you do have to take the civics test in the language of your choice.
3. At the time of filing your Form N-400, you are 65 years of age or older and have lived in the United States as a permanent resident for periods totaling at least 20 years. You do not have to take the English language test, but you do have to take the civics test in the language of your choice.

NOTE: If you qualify for an exemption from the English language test based on your age and how long you have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident, you should answer “Yes” to at least one question in Part 2., Item Number 13. of Form N-400.

Medical Exception to the English Language and/or Civics Test

You may be eligible for an exception to the English language and/or civics tests due to a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, 12 months or more. Refer to Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, for more information.

NOTE: If you are requesting a medical exception to the English language and civics tests, answer “Yes” in Part 2., Item Number 12. of Form N-400. Submit a completed Form N-648 when you file your Form N-400.

Who Should Not File Form N-400

You should not file this form if:

1. You have not met the eligibility requirements for naturalization based on your filing category.
2. You have acquired or derived U.S. citizenship through one or both of your parents or are eligible for citizenship under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 322. Visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov for more information on this topic and to review the instructions for Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322.

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