Application, biometrics, interview

This page is for those who meet the citizenship requirements and are preparing to file Form N-400. The process proceeds in this order: you complete the form and pay the fee, provide fingerprints and a photograph (biometrics), attend the interview, and receive a decision. Here you will find what to bring at each step, mailing addresses, fees, and contact information. For requirements, see 4.1 Requirements (N-400).

• A copy of the front and back of your green card.
• Your address, employment, or school history for the last 5 years (3 years under the marriage-based route), and the dates of all trips outside the United States.
• Marriage certificate; divorce decrees or death certificates showing that previous marriages ended; and the court order if you changed your name through a court.
• If you have been detained, charged, or convicted, court decisions and documents showing that you completed your sentence. Bring the originals or court-certified copies to the interview.
• If you owe taxes, documentation of your payment plan.
• If you have children living separately, proof of support.
• If you will request an exemption from the test because of a disability, Form N-648 completed by your doctor. See 4.3 Citizenship test.
• If you live outside the United States (only in special situations, such as spouses of military members), 2 passport photos.
• For every document in a foreign language, include a complete English translation and the translator's certification of competence. Do not send original documents unless requested; USCIS may destroy originals sent without being requested.

1. Online filing: Open your USCIS account and complete N-400 there. You pay the fee online; you manage your case, requests for additional documents, and address changes through the account.
2. Paper filing: Use the current edition of the form (01/20/25). All pages must be from the same edition and the edition date must appear at the bottom of the pages; otherwise, the form may be returned.
3. Complete it in black ink or on a computer. Write "N/A" for questions that do not apply to you and "None" for number questions whose answer is zero.
4. Write your alien number (A-Number) from your green card as 9 digits in the upper-right corner of every page; add leading zeros for missing digits (A12345678 → A012345678).
5. Sign the form. An unsigned form will be returned.
6. You may attach Form G-1145 to the first page of the form to receive the acceptance notice by email or SMS.
7. If you use an attorney or authorized representative, the representative attaches Form G-28. Representation costs are not paid by the U.S. government.
8. For paper filings, USCIS will send you an Account Acceptance Notice for opening an online account. Your case will be processed even if you do not open the account.

• Full fee: $760 (paper) or $710 (online). No separate biometrics fee is charged.
• Reduced fee: $380. This is available if your household income does not exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and you provide documentation.
  • Complete Part 10 of Form N-400; attach the household members' most recent federal tax returns or pay stubs from the last month.
  • Available only for paper filings.
• Fee waiver: If your income is at or below 150% of the poverty level, request a fee waiver with Form I-912 instead of the reduced fee. This is also available only for paper filings.
• Applicants filing through the U.S. military route (INA 328/329): $0.
• Payment method: For paper filings, pay by credit or debit card (Form G-1450) or by automatic withdrawal from a U.S. bank account (Form G-1650). If you cannot use these methods, you may request a waiver with Form G-1651.
• Incorrect amounts, incorrect payment methods, or overpayment may result in the application being returned.

• Elgin Lockbox — Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia
  • USPS: USCIS, Attn: N-400, P.O. Box 4060, Carol Stream, IL 60197-4060
  • FedEx, UPS, DHL: USCIS, Attn: N-400 (Box 4060), 2500 Westfield Drive, Elgin, IL 60124-7836
• Phoenix Lockbox — Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific and Caribbean territories
  • USPS: USCIS, Attn: N-400, P.O. Box 21251, Phoenix, AZ 85036-1251
  • FedEx, UPS, DHL: USCIS, Attn: N-400 (Box 21251), 2108 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284-1806
• Dallas Lockbox — Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
  • USPS: USCIS, Attn: N-400, P.O. Box 660060, Dallas, TX 75266-0060
  • FedEx, UPS, DHL: USCIS, Attn: N-400 (Box 660060), 2501 S State Hwy 121 Business, Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067-8003
• Chicago Lockbox — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin
  • USPS: USCIS, Attn: N-400, P.O. Box 4380, Chicago, IL 60680-4380
  • FedEx, UPS, DHL: USCIS, Attn: N-400 (Box 4380), 131 S. Dearborn, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-5517
• Military members and certain military relatives (the spouse of an active-duty service member; the spouse, parent, or child of a deceased service member) send their applications to a separate address: USCIS, Attn: Military N-400, P.O. Box 4446, Chicago, IL 60680-4446.
• Do not send address-change notifications to a lockbox; see Step 2.

• Once your application is accepted, you will receive a receipt (Form I-797C). Use the receipt number on it to track your case on the case status inquiry page or through your account.
• Green card extension: The receipt for a properly filed N-400 extends the validity of your green card by 2 years from the card's expiration date. Keep the receipt with your card. If the card or receipt is lost, you will generally need to file Form I-90.
• Address change: Notify USCIS within 10 days after moving. Notifying only the post office is not enough.
• Travel: Trips outside the United States after filing are also included in the continuous residence calculation. An absence of 1 year or longer breaks residence. See 4.1 Requirements (N-400).

• USCIS will schedule you for fingerprints, a photograph, and a signature at the nearest Application Support Center (ASC). The appointment notice also arrives on Form I-797C.
• Bring with you: the appointment notice (all notices if there is more than one) and valid photo identification (green card, passport, or driver's license).
• The photograph taken here may be used on your naturalization certificate. Wear the clothing you want to appear in on the certificate.
• During biometrics, you will reconfirm that the information in your application is correct and complete. Review a copy of your application in advance.
• Changing the appointment: For a good reason, request a rescheduling through your online account at least 12 hours before the appointment time. If less time remains, call the Contact Center.
• Failing to appear without notice may cause the application to be considered abandoned and denied.
• If you go to a center other than the one listed on the notice, your appointment will not be processed.

• The interview takes place at the USCIS field office serving the area where you live. Go at the date and time on the notice, bringing the notice with you.
• Bring with you:
  • your green card and state ID or driver's license;
  • all valid and expired passports and travel documents issued by USCIS;
  • IRS tax transcripts for the last 5 years (3 years under the marriage-based route); you can request them online, using Form 4506-T, or by calling +1 800 829 1040;
  • marriage, divorce, and name-change documents;
  • if you have a criminal record, certified documents showing the court's final decision (uncertified photocopies are not accepted);
  • Selective Service registration or status letter, if required.
• What happens at the interview:
  • The officer places you under oath and asks you about your answers on the N-400 one by one. Corrections may be made to the form if necessary, and you will sign them.
  • You take the English and civics tests unless you are exempt. See 4.3 Citizenship test.
  • The officer may record the interview or take a sworn statement.
• Interpreter: You may bring your own interpreter only if you are exempt from the English requirement. The interpreter must be fluent in both languages, impartial, sign the interpreter's oath, and provide a copy of their identification.
• Attorney: Your representative may attend the interview with you. If you want to continue without your representative, you accept this in writing; otherwise, the interview will be postponed.

• At the end of the interview, you will receive a results form (Form N-652). There are three possible outcomes:
  • Granted: The oath ceremony may take place the same day. If it cannot, the ceremony date will be sent by mail. See 4.4 Oath ceremony and afterward.
  • Continued: Additional documents may be requested (Form N-14), or the part of the test you failed may be retaken within 60–90 days.
  • Denied: The reason will be provided in writing.
• Appeal of denial (Form N-336): Within 30 days after receiving the denial (or 33 days if the decision was mailed), you may request a review before an immigration officer. The fee is $830 (paper) or $780 (online). A late request will be returned and the fee will not be refunded.
• If no decision is made: Under the law, if no decision is made within 120 days after the interview, you may apply to the federal district court serving your area. Consult an attorney before using this option.

• USCIS Contact Center — case questions, appointments, address, disability accommodations
  • Phone: +1 800 375 5283 (TTY +1 800 767 1833)
  • Live assistance: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time); the automated system is available 24 hours. English and Spanish.
  • From outside the United States: +1 212 620 3418
  • Web: uscis.gov/contactcenter
• USCIS online account — application, payment, rescheduling: myaccount.uscis.gov
• Office appointment — request an appointment online
• Field office and ASC locator — USCIS office locator
• Military Help Line — +1 877 247 4645
• Disability accommodation request — online form

• Using an outdated edition of the form or mixing pages from different editions.
• Failing to sign the form, or paying the wrong amount or with the wrong payment method.
• Requesting a reduced fee or waiver while trying to file online.
• Sending the application to the wrong lockbox address.
• Failing to report an address change within 10 days after moving; missing notices.
• Missing the biometrics appointment without notice.
• Not bringing passports, tax transcripts, or court decisions to the interview.
• Giving an answer at the interview that is inconsistent with the answer on the form.

• Online or paper? If you pay the full fee, online filing is $50 cheaper and makes case tracking easier. If you request a reduction or waiver, paper filing is required.
• Does my attorney need to come to my biometrics appointment? No. An attorney or representative does not need to come to the ASC.
• Can I bring a Turkish interpreter to the interview? Only if you are exempt from the English requirement (for example, under the 50/20 or 55/15 rule). Otherwise, the interview is conducted in English.
• Can I take the oath on the day of the interview? Yes, if an appropriate ceremony is available at the office. Otherwise, the date will arrive by mail.
• Can I travel to Turkey while my application is pending? Yes. However, you must not miss appointments and must comply with the continuous residence rules.
• What can I do about a denial? Within 30 days (33 days if mailed), you may request a review with Form N-336 or reapply when you meet the requirements. Consult an immigration attorney; see 12.6 Finding an attorney.

• Form N-400 (PDF) · Instructions (PDF)
• N-400 mailing addresses
• USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (PDF) · Fee calculator
• Form I-912 fee waiver (PDF)
• Form G-1450 card payment (PDF) · Form G-1650 bank account payment (PDF)
• Form G-1145 email/SMS acceptance notice (PDF)
• Form N-336 (PDF) · Instructions (PDF)
• Case status inquiry · Processing times
• USCIS office locator
• Related: 4.1 Requirements (N-400) · 4.3 Citizenship test · 1.12 Fraud warnings