N-400 Lawyer, Boston MA

Eligibility

To be eligible for naturalization, a person must meet the following criteria:​

1. Be at least eighteen years of age at the time of filing (except active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces);
2. Be a lawful permanent resident of the United States for the required period of time;
3. Live within the state or USCIS district where residence is claimed for at least three months prior to filing;
4. Demonstrate physical presence within the United States for the required period of time;
5. Demonstrate continuous residence for the required period of time;
6. Demonstrate good moral character;
7. Demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution;
8. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of U.S. history and U.S. government, as well as the ability to read, write, speak, and understand basic English; and
9. Take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Required Documents

Required documentation for a naturalization application varies depending on the basis of the application (spouse of U.S. citizen, employment, etc.).

Naturalization applications generally must be accompanied by the following evidence:

• A check or money order for the application fee and the biometric services fee;
• A photocopy of the applicant’s permanent resident card (front and back);
• A photocopy of the applicant’s marriage certificate and any previous divorce decrees (if any);
• Photocopies of certified tax returns for the last three or five years; and
• An original or court-certified copy of criminal docket(s) (if any).

Application Process

Applicant files Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, along with supporting documents with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Each part of the naturalization application requests specific information from the applicant, i.e., marital history, family members, address and employment history, time outside of the United States. Any error in the N-400 could result in the denial of the naturalization application.

Early Filing

Naturalization applications may be filed up to ninety days before they applicant would first meet the required three- or five-year period of continuous residence as a lawful permanent resident.

Applicants filing for naturalization based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen may file up to ninety days before meeting the required three-year period of continuous residence as a lawful permanent resident.

Applicants filing for naturalization under the general naturalization provision may file up to ninety days before meeting the required five-year period of continuous residence as a lawful permanent resident.

Although applicants may file naturalization applications early according to the ninety-day early filing provision, applicants are not eligible for naturalization until they have reached the required three- or five-year period of continuous residence as a lawful permanent resident.

Electronic Filing

Electronic filing is available for N-400, Application for Naturalization. To electronically file Form N-400, you must create an account with the USCIS.

Costs

The fee to file an application for naturalization is $640. The USCIS also assesses an $85 biometric services fee, for a total of $725.

USCIS filing fees are not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on the application.

If you electronically file your Form N-400 online, you may pay your fee online. If you file your Form N-400 by mail, you may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.

Checks should be made payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”

Fee Waiver

The USCIS will consider a fee waiver request for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. You can review the fee waiver guidance on the USCIS Fee Waiver website.

Processing Time

Naturalization applications are processed at varying speeds depending on a variety of circumstances. Visit the USCIS Processing Times website for the most up-to-date information.

Denials

N-400 denials happen. If USCIS denies your N-400, you may request a hearing with a USCIS officer by filing Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings, within thirty days of the date of the USCIS decision.

If USCIS denied your previously filed Form N-400 and you are filing a new Form N-400, you must pay a new filing fee. USCIS cannot apply a previously submitted filing fee amount to a newly filed Form N-400.

The filing fees for Form N-400 are currently $725.

USCIS filing fees are not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on the application.

Dual Citizenship

For information on dual citizenship, visit the U.S. Department of State Services Dual Nationality website.