US Citizenship Application: Document Checklist for N-400

Green Card holders are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship in 5 years after receiving Green Card (U.S. citizens’ spouses can apply in 3 years).
Applying for U.S. citizenship can be an overwhelming process. The first step in the process is to complete Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).

This form must be filed with the required fees and certain supporting documents. Just the requirement of supporting documents you will need to send with your citizenship application alone can be challenging and time-consuming. The following list includes items that you may need to send with your application (some may not apply in your situation). Your immigration attorney can ensure that you have all of the required documents when you apply for citizenship so that the process goes as smoothly and expediently as possible.

• Photocopies of your green card. In case of a lost, stolen or damaged card, you need to get it replaced first;
• Two color photographs of yourself, showing a three-fourths frontal view of your face. Remember to write your name in pencil at the back of the photos;
• Documents showing any name changes and explanations of those (e.g., if you reverted to your maiden name after your divorce, you must provide a copy of your divorce decree);
• Status Information Letter from the Selective Service, if you did not register and are a male who lived in the United States between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six. You can obtain “Status Information Letter” from the Selective Service www.sss.gov.

• Your marriage certificate;
• Proof of termination of all of your and your spouse’s previous     marriages (e.g., divorce decree(s), annulments or death certificate(s);
• Bank accounts, birth certificates of children, tax receipts, etc., to prove that you and your spouse are legally married and are living together.
• Proof of your spouse’s citizenship for the past three years, which may be in the form of:

• Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service.

• IRS tax return transcripts;
• Rent receipts and other proofs (e.g., signed lease, utility bills, etc.).

• Copy of court disposition for any arrests or detentions by law enforcement officers and complete arrest records, or official statement by the law enforcement agency that held you stating that no charges were filed;
• Sentencing records for each conviction and evidence of satisfactory completion of the sentence(s);
• Court orders vacating, setting aside, expunging, or otherwise disposing of an arrest or conviction.

• IRS Tax Form 1722, listing past three to five years’ tax information;
• Copies of tax returns that you filed for the past three to five years;
• Copies of correspondence with the IRS, if you have ever failed to file tax returns after becoming a legal resident and signed agreement from the IRS or state or local tax authority showing repayment arrangements and your compliance therewith.

• Copies of orders for child or spousal support;
• Evidence of compliance with spousal and child support orders (e.g., canceled checks, pay stubs showing automatic withholding, etc.).

• Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, which must be completed by a licensed physician or psychologist if you are claiming a disability exemption from the testing requirement.

• Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative.

NOTICE: The information contained on this site is intended to educate the general public and is not intended to provide legal advice. To ensure proper handling of your individual situation, please contact Attorney Starchak at info@starchaklawfirm.com or call (720) 282-9654.