$710Filing fee online
8–26Months total process
7Steps to citizenship
8Languages on LEGALIAI
THE 7-STEP N-400 PROCESS
1
BEFORE YOU FILE
Confirm You Are Eligible
Most applicants need 5 years as a permanent resident. Married to a U.S. citizen for 3 years? You may qualify in 3 years. Calculate your earliest filing date from your Resident Since date on your green card. Calculate your eligibility date →
2
WEEKS BEFORE FILING
Gather Your Documents
Green card, passports, 5 years of tax returns, written travel record with exact dates, birth certificate, two passport photos. Additional documents depending on your situation. Full documents checklist →
3
FILING DAY
Submit Form N-400
File online at my.uscis.gov ($710) or by mail ($760). Answer every question — never leave a field blank. File online for faster processing and automatic status updates. Cannot afford the fee? See if you qualify for a fee waiver →
4
MONTH 1–3
Biometrics Appointment
USCIS schedules you at a local Application Support Center for fingerprints and a photo. Takes 20–30 minutes. Bring your appointment notice and green card. This triggers your FBI background check.
5
MONTH 5–18 (VARIES BY OFFICE)
Interview Notice Arrives
USCIS sends your interview date 4–8 weeks before the appointment. This is when preparation becomes urgent — civics test, English test, N-400 review. Start preparing the moment you file. Check your office processing time →
6
INTERVIEW DAY
Your USCIS Interview
English test + civics test + N-400 review. New 2025 test (filed Oct 20, 2025+): 20 questions from 128, answer 12 correctly. Most interviews last 20–45 minutes. Prepared applicants are usually approved on the spot. Practice your interview questions →
7
1–8 WEEKS AFTER APPROVAL
Oath Ceremony — You Are a Citizen
Take the Oath of Allegiance, surrender your green card, receive your Certificate of Naturalization. Apply for your U.S. passport immediately after. Some offices hold same-day ceremonies.
ALL N-400 GUIDES — QUICK NAVIGATION
Each guide below covers one specific part of the process in depth. Use this as your navigation hub.
STEP 1
When Can I Apply?
5-year rule, 3-year rule, 90-day early filing window, eligibility calculator
READ GUIDE →
STEP 2
Documents Checklist
Every document required organized by situation — marriage, criminal, military, prior marriages
VIEW CHECKLIST →
STEP 3
Fee Waiver Guide
Who qualifies for $0 fee, who gets $380 reduced fee, income thresholds, Form I-912
CHECK ELIGIBILITY →
FILING TIPS
N-400 Tips
8 things to do before you file, form mistakes that cause delays, travel record guide
READ TIPS →
PROCESSING
How Long Does It Take?
Full timeline from filing to oath ceremony, what causes delays, how to track your case
SEE TIMELINE →
BY OFFICE
Processing Time by State
All 24 USCIS field offices ranked fastest to slowest, filterable data table
LOOK UP YOUR OFFICE →
INTERVIEW PREP
Interview Questions
All civics questions with answers, both old and new test, personal questions the officer asks
PRACTICE NOW →
CIVICS TEST
All 128 Civics Questions
Complete study guide for the new 2025 civics test — all 128 questions and answers
STUDY NOW →
IF PROBLEMS ARISE
Received an RFE?
What to do when USCIS requests additional evidence — response deadline, documents, next steps
READ RFE GUIDE →
IF DENIED
N-400 Denied — What Now?
Reasons for denial, appeal rights, how to refile, and what changes to make
READ DENIAL GUIDE →
PREPARE YOUR N-400 WITH AI GUIDANCE
LEGALIAI walks you through every step — eligibility check, documents, form walkthrough, risk assessment, and interview prep — in 8 languages for $49. No lawyer needed.
START YOUR N-400 — $49FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a lawyer to apply for citizenship?
No — most applicants do not need a lawyer. USCIS designed the N-400 to be completed by the applicant. You need legal help only if you have criminal history, complex immigration violations, extended absences from the U.S., or other complicated circumstances. A clean, straightforward application can be prepared and filed without any legal help.
What if I make a mistake on my N-400?
Honest mistakes discovered before filing can be corrected by editing your application. Mistakes found after filing can be corrected at your interview — tell the officer immediately and provide the correct information. Intentional misrepresentation is serious. Honest errors that are corrected are treated very differently from deliberate concealment.
Can I travel outside the U.S. while my N-400 is pending?
Yes — but avoid any single trip of 6 months or more. Keep documentation of all travel. Notify USCIS of any address changes within 10 days. If your interview is scheduled, make sure you are back in the U.S. with time to prepare and attend.