US Citizenship: Required Documents

Introduction

“During the last decade, the USCIS has welcomed more than 7.9 million naturalized citizens.”

An important part of applying for any immigration benefit is having the right documents to support your claim and strengthen your petition. As the final step to achieving and living your American Dream, the naturalization process requires you to submit different types of documents to prove your eligibility and identity and comply with US immigration laws. 

When you naturalize, during the stages of your application and interview, you will need to attach and carry various documents. The type of documents you require depends on your immigration status and process. For example, if you have military service or if you are applying within 3 years of becoming a lawful permanent resident, as you are married to a U.S. citizen, then you would have to provide additional documents. 

This is the best time to start your naturalization application. A green card holder has the right to live and work in the US; however, that right can also be revoked. With US citizenship, you get the highest level of protection, and you cannot be deported under any circumstances. 

Not sure if you are eligible to naturalize? Take FileRight’s free Naturalization Eligibility quiz 

What Are The Documents Required For Naturalization?

To help you understand what documents you need to attach to your application and which you need to carry to the interview, we have compiled a detailed list of documents for N-400, Application for Naturalization, in Table 1 and documents required to be carried during the interview in Table 2: 

N-400, Supporting Documents

Particulars of Document	Acceptable Documents	Basis For Filing
Proof of green card holder (permanent resident) status	Copy of the front and back sides of your green card/ permanent resident card	All applicants
Application/biometric services fee payment	You can send any one of the following: 1. Personal check (with your A-Number printed on the back) 2. Money order (with your A-Number printed on the back) 3. Credit card authorization   Form G-1450, e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance	All applicants (except those who are exempt from paying the fee or are applying for a fee waiver, or in case of a fee for biometric services, applicants 75 years of age or older who are exempt from the biometrics service fee)
Proof of current marital status (if applicable)	Send copies of  the following documents: 1. Marriage certificates 2. Annulment certificates 3. Divorce Decree 4. Divorce Certificate 5. Death certificate (if your marriage has terminated due to the death of your spouse) 6. Other official records are available from clerks’/deputy clerks’ offices of the county or the Secretary of State’s Apostille office in each state.	All applicants (who are currently married or have been married previously)
Proof of identity	Two identical passport-style photos (2 inches by 2 inches) with your A-number written lightly in pencil on the back	All applicants (except those living and applying from the US)
Proof of military service (if applicable)	1. Attach a completed Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, if you are currently serving, or; 2. DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or discharge orders if you have separated from the armed forces; and 3. A copy of your official military orders (if applicable)	All applicants filing for citizenship on the basis of their qualifying US military/armed forces service
Proof of medical disability	Original Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, completed less than 6 months ago by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or licensed clinical psychologist	Applicants requesting a disability exception to the citizenship test requirement
Fee reduction application	Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee	Applicants requesting a reduction of the N-400 application fee
Fee waiver application	Submit either Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or a written request and documentation to support the fee waiver	Applicants requesting a waiver of the N-400 and/or biometrics fees
Request for representation at the naturalization interview	Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative	Applicants wanting to be accompanied by an attorney or other duly authorized or accredited representative at their US citizenship interview
Good Moral Character	Attach copies of the following documents (wherever applicable) 1. Arrest report and official statement from the arresting agency or applicable court confirming that you were arrested/detained, but no charges were filed. 2. Sentencing records if you have been convicted of an offense 3. Documentation of traffic incidents if the incident led to an arrest, seriously injured another person, or involved alcohol or drugs.	All applicants

Naturalization Interview Required Documents

Particulars of Document	Acceptable Documents	Basis For Filing
Proof of green card holder (permanent resident) status	Green card or permanent Resident Card, or Form I-551)	All applicants
Appointment Letter/Notice scheduling your interview and informing you of the date, time, and location of your interview.	Form I-797C, Notice of Action.	All applicants.
State-issued identification	1. State ID 2. Driver’s license 3. Passport	All applicants
Travel records	Bring all of the following: 1. Passports (current and expired) 2. USCIS-issued travel documents (for example,  Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record)	All applicants
Proof of current marital status and termination of prior marriages. Bring records of both your spouse and your prior marriages (if applicable)	Bring original copies of: 1. Marriage certificates 2. Annulment certificates 3. Divorce Decree 4. Divorce Certificate 5. Death certificate (if your marriage has terminated due to the death of your spouse) 6. Other official records available from clerks/deputy clerks’ offices of the county or the Secretary of State’s Apostille office in each state.	All applicants (who are currently married or have been married previously)
Proof of official name change(s), if any	Bring any of the following that apply: 1. Marriage certificate 2. Divorce papers 3. Court-ordered name change documents 4. Adoption papers 5. Annulment Certificate	All applicants (if applicable)
Proof of your spouse’s US citizenship for the past 3 years prior to filing your Form N-400	1. Birth certificate (if your spouse has been a US citizen since birth) 2. Certificate of Naturalization 3. Certificate of Citizenship 4. Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) of a US Citizen, or Form FS-240	Applicants filing for citizenship based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen
Proof that you have had a genuine and bona fide marriage for the past three years  preceding the year of filing your N-400 application	Bring copies of the following documents (if available): 1. Joint bank and credit card statements of you and your spouse 2. Joint leases or mortgage documents 3. The birth certificates of your children mention your spouse and your name as parents 4. Joint insurance policies or individual policies listing you and your spouse as beneficiaries, respectively 5. Joint federal income tax returns for the past three filing years	Applicants filing for citizenship based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen
Evidence of parental rights over your children	Bring one of the following for: 1. A birth certificate showing your name as the parents 2. Court order certifying you as the parent 3. Adoption papers	Applicants listing their children on Form N-400 or other dependents
Proof that you have fulfilled your financial support obligations (if applicable)	Bring the following documents for each dependent: 1. Copies of court or government orders for you to provide financial support 2. Canceled checks or money order receipts 3. Copies of court or government documents showing child support and/or alimony payments 4. Records of wage garnishments 5. Notarized letter from the parent or guardian who cares for your children	Applicants listing their children or other dependents on Form N-400
Proof of IRS tax payments or overdue tax obligations	Bring copies of tax return transcripts of: 1. Federal income tax returns for the past 5 filing years (or past three filing years if applying based on marriage to a US citizen) If you owe federal, state, or local taxes, then you should bring: 1. A signed agreement from the IRS, state, or local tax office showing that you’ve filed a tax return and arranged to pay your outstanding tax 2. Documentation from the IRS, state, or local tax office  showing the current status of your repayment arrangement	All applicants  (more important for a green card holder who has taken trips abroad of six months or more after becoming an LPR)
Evidence of maintaining permanent residence in the US since you have become an LPR	Bring copies of the following (wherever available): 1. Copy of your passport showing departure and arrival stamps 2. Copies of income tax returns or tax transcripts for the past five filing years (or past three filing years if applying on the basis of marriage to a US Citizen) 3. Rent or mortgage payment receipts 4. Bank, credit card, and loan statements showing regular transactions 5. Auto registration and insurance	All applicants (especially those who have taken any trips abroad lasting over six months  but less than one year)
Proof of Selective Service registration	If you registered for Selective Service, bring the following: 1. Registration Acknowledgement Card (from Selective Service System) If you did not register with Selective Service and you are a male who is at least twenty-six years of age and was required to register, bring all of the following: 1. Status Information Letter from Selective Service 2. A notarized personal affidavit explaining why you did not register 3. Notarized personal affidavits from someone who knows you and can support your reason for not registering for Selective Service	Male applicants (who meet the conditions of registering for Selective Service)
Records of previous arrests, charges framed, convictions, etc.	If you’ve ever been arrested or detained anywhere in the world, and no charges were filed, bring both of the following: 1. Original or court-certified arrest report 2. An official, certified statement from the law enforcement agency that arrested you or from the court confirming that no charges were filed If you have ever been arrested or detained anywhere in the world and charges were filed, bring certified copies of all of the following: 1. Arrest reports 2. Charging documents 3. Court dispositions, Sentencing reports (including a report that you completed your probationary sentence) If you’ve ever been convicted or placed in alternative sentencing (such as diversion) or rehabilitation (such as drug treatment or community service), bring both of the following: 1. Original or court-certified sentencing record for each incident 2. Original or agency-certified record showing that you completed your program or sentence (such as a probation or parole record) If you’ve ever had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged, or removed from your record, bring one of the following: 1. An original or court-certified court order showing any of the above outcomes 2. The original statement from the court is that no record exists of your arrest or conviction If you’ve ever been in a traffic incident that involved alcohol or drugs, led to an arrest, or seriously injured another person, bring the following: 1. Original arrest record 2. Original police report	All applicants who have ever been: 1. Arrested 2. Detained 3. Charged 4. Convicted 5. Received an alternative sentence 6. Placed in a rehabilitation program

How FileRight Can Help? 

Even after knowing the different types of documents that you may have to attach and bring to your interview, the naturalization process can still get complicated and overwhelming. 

By consulting the expert naturalization attorneys of FileRight, you can minimize the chance of mistakes and reduce the chances of denials and requests for additional evidence.

Here’s how FileRight can help you:

1. Immigration Error Report: With FileRight’s error report technology, you can have a complete overview of all mistakes and errors, including a review of the eligibility requirements
2. Supporting Documents Step-by-Step Instructions: FileRight provides easy-to-understand step-by-step document preparation instructions so that you can file all the relevant supporting documents to strengthen your application.
3. Post-Filing Support: After filing for naturalization, you have to check the case status and follow up with the USCIS. FileRight’s experienced naturalization lawyers are ready to answer all the questions you may have after filing for naturalization and will help you regularly check case status and follow up with the USCIS

Book a consultation with a seasoned naturalization lawyer to get the expert support you need in your journey to become a U.S. citizen!