CORE DOCUMENTS — EVERY APPLICANT
Every N-400 applicant must bring these 7 items regardless of your situation. Check each one as you gather it.
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
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Interview Appointment Notice (Form I-797)
Printed or on your phone. You need this to check in at the front desk.
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Original Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Both sides. You will surrender it at your oath ceremony — do not leave it at home.
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Government-Issued Photo ID
Separate from your green card. Driver's license, state ID, or passport. Needed for check-in.
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All Passports — Current and Expired
Every passport from the past 5 years. Officer uses these to verify your travel history.
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Federal Tax Returns — Past 5 Years
Or IRS tax transcripts (free at irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript). 3 years if applying under the marriage rule.
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Written Travel Record
Your list of every trip outside the U.S. with exact departure and return dates. Officer will compare this against your passport stamps.
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Birth Certificate (with certified English translation if needed)
Original. If not in English, bring the certified translation too.
PRACTICE BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW
LEGALIAI covers all civics questions with AI feedback, your N-400 personal question review, and interview logistics — in 8 languages for $49.
START INTERVIEW PREP — $49IF YOU HAVE ANY CRIMINAL HISTORY
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Court-Certified Records for Every Arrest, Charge, or Conviction
Even if dismissed, expunged, or you were found not guilty. Get certified copies from the courthouse — not online printouts.
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Police Reports and Court Dispositions
For each incident. Include probation records if applicable.
IF YOU ARE APPLYING UNDER THE 3-YEAR MARRIAGE RULE
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Marriage Certificate
Original civil marriage certificate. Certified translation if not in English.
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Proof of Spouse's U.S. Citizenship
U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or U.S. birth certificate.
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Evidence of Bona Fide Marriage (bring multiple)
Joint tax returns, joint bank account statements, joint lease or mortgage, utility bills in both names, children's birth certificates, photos together.
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Divorce Decrees for All Prior Marriages
Both yours and your spouse's. Proves all prior marriages were legally ended.
DOCUMENTS COMMONLY FORGOTTEN
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Name Change Documentation
If your current legal name differs from your green card. Marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree showing name change.
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Selective Service Registration Proof (men only)
If you were male, in the U.S. between ages 18–26, and entered before age 26. Verify at sss.gov if unsure.
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Updated Photos if Appearance Changed Significantly
Not required but bring if you've changed your hair color, gained/lost significant weight, or changed appearance markedly since your green card photo.
Bring originals AND photocopies of everything. The officer keeps photocopies and returns your originals. Organize documents with tabs or labeled folders. An officer who finds what they need in 10 seconds moves through your file faster.
WHAT USCIS WILL TEST YOU ON AT THE INTERVIEW
PART 1 — English Test (5 minutes)
Read one sentence aloud in English. Write one sentence in English. The officer evaluates your speaking ability throughout the entire interview. Simple sentences — not legal language.
PART 2 — Civics Test (5–15 minutes)
New test (filed Oct 20, 2025+): 20 questions from 128, answer 12 correctly. Old test: up to 10 questions from 100, answer 6 correctly. Practice all questions →
PART 3 — N-400 Application Review (10–25 minutes)
Officer reviews your application line by line and asks about your answers — travel history, employment, family, criminal record, taxes. Be consistent with what you wrote. Review your N-400 the night before.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR INTERVIEW IS CONTINUED
A continuation is not a denial. It means the officer needs more information or documents before making a decision.
- You will receive a written notice specifying what is needed
- You submit the requested documents by mail or online account upload
- A new interview may be scheduled, or the officer may approve based on your submitted documents
- Typical additional wait time: 4 to 12 weeks
Most continuations are preventable. The single most common cause is a missing document the applicant forgot to bring. Use this checklist before your interview day — not the morning of.
RELATED GUIDES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Should I bring copies or originals to my interview?
Bring originals of everything. The USCIS officer will inspect your originals and make their own copies — you do not need to bring pre-made copies. Bring the originals organized and accessible so the officer can quickly find what they need.
What if I can't find an expired passport before my interview?
If you genuinely cannot locate an expired passport, bring a written explanation of why it is unavailable plus any other documentation of the travel it covered — airline records, hotel receipts, credit card statements showing foreign transactions. Contact your country's consulate about replacement if the passport covered significant travel. Do not skip the interview over a missing expired passport — attend and explain.
Do I need to bring proof of my address to the interview?
Your address is on file with USCIS from your N-400 application. You do not need to bring separate proof of address unless your address has changed since filing — in which case bring documentation showing your current address (utility bill, bank statement) along with proof that you notified USCIS of the change.