How the N-400 naturalization process works

What the N-400 is

The N-400 is the application a lawful permanent resident files with USCIS to ask to become a U.S. citizen. Filing it does not change your status by itself. It begins a review that ends, if everything goes well, with an interview, a test, and an oath ceremony.

Who naturalization is generally for

In general terms, naturalization is for green card holders who have held permanent residence for a required period of time, have been physically present in the United States for enough of that time, can meet the English and civics requirements, and can show good moral character over the relevant period. The most common continuous-residence requirement is 5 years as a permanent resident, or 3 years for certain applicants who are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, with a separate physical presence requirement on top of it. These periods are set by law; confirm how they apply to your situation against current USCIS guidance.

Whether any specific person meets these requirements depends on the details of their history. This guide does not make that determination. If your situation involves long trips abroad, an arrest or citation, tax questions, or anything unusual, a licensed immigration attorney can advise you.

The steps, in order

1. Confirm the basics and gather documents. Before filing, applicants typically pull together their green card, travel history, address and employment history, and information about marital history and any encounters with law enforcement.
2. File the N-400. The application is submitted to USCIS, online or by mail, with the filing fee. Always use the current edition of the form; USCIS updates editions periodically and an outdated edition can cause a rejection. The current filing fee is $760 by mail or $710 online (a $50 online discount), with the biometric services cost folded into that single fee under the 2024 fee rule. Confirm the amount with the USCIS Fee Calculator before filing.
3. Biometrics. Most applicants are scheduled for a biometrics appointment, where USCIS takes fingerprints and a photo for background checks.
4. The interview. USCIS schedules an in-person interview. An officer reviews the application with you, asks about your eligibility and background, and administers the tests described below.
5. The English and civics tests. Unless an exemption or accommodation applies, applicants take an English test (speaking, reading, and writing) and a civics test on U.S. history and government. The civics test draws from a published list of questions, which is why studying the official materials in advance matters.
6. The decision. After the interview, USCIS grants, continues (asks for more information or a second interview), or denies the application.
7. The Oath of Allegiance. Approved applicants take the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony. Citizenship is effective once the oath is taken, and the applicant receives a Certificate of Naturalization.

How long it takes

Naturalization timelines vary by field office and by how busy USCIS is, and they shift over time. The official USCIS processing-time tool is the best place to check the current estimate for a specific office.

What it costs

The main cost is the USCIS filing fee, currently $760 by mail or $710 online. USCIS offers fee assistance based on household income. Applicants whose household income is below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can request a reduced fee of $380 (Form I-942), and applicants who cannot afford the fee at all can request a full fee waiver (Form I-912). Note that if you request a reduced fee or fee waiver, you must file on paper rather than online. Some applicants prepare the application themselves, some use a document preparation service, and some hire an attorney; those preparation costs are separate from the government fee.

When you may want an attorney

Some situations genuinely call for talking with a licensed immigration attorney rather than relying on a document preparation service, for example a criminal history, prior immigration violations, long absences from the United States, or questions about whether you have maintained your permanent residence. ImFiled is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and will tell you when a situation looks like it needs an attorney.