US Citizenship application and photographs

Complete your application
Once you have an N-400, you must fill it out completely. USCIS may ask for additional information if you leave it out of your application. This will delay the processing of your naturalization application.

You will be required to answer questions about your application at your interview. When completing your application, you should answer all questions honestly. Be sure to keep a copy of your completed application for your records.
Get two photographs taken
You should include two color photographs with your application. If you do not send photographs with your application, USCIS will return the application to you.

Photograph instructions.

Be sure there is enough white space in the margin of the photographs so you will have room to sign your full name if your application is approved.

You should print your name and "A" number lightly in pencil on the back of each photograph.
Collect the necessary documents
You will need to send copies of several documents with your application. How many and which documents you will need to send will depend on your individual situation. If you do not send the additional documents with your application, the processing of your application may be delayed.

In most cases you should send a copy of a document, but you should be prepared to bring the originals with you to your interview. We may also ask you to send other documents to us before your interview, or to bring additional documents with you to your interview.

Use the Document Checklist to make sure you send the right documents.

Be sure to send an English translation with any document that is not already in English. The translation must include a statement from the translator that he or she is competent to translate and that the translation is correct.

If you do not have a required document and cannot get a certified copy of the original, submit a certification from the original recording authority explaining why it cannot be provided. In that case we will consider other evidence such as notarized affidavits.

Important
The Document Checklist will tell you when you need to send original documents and when you may send copies. Remember to make and keep copies of all documents you send to us.
Send your application, documents, and fee to the appropriate Service Center
Send your application directly to the Service Center that serves your area. If you try to take or mail your application to a local USCIS office, it will be returned to you.

Current naturalization fees. You need to pay the filing fee and for everyone under 75 years, biometric fees.

If you are applying based on 5 years as a Permanent Resident or 3 years as a Permanent Resident married to a U.S. citizen, you may file for naturalization up to 90 days before you have met the "continuous residence" requirement. For example, if you are required to be in "continuous residence" for 5 years before you naturalize, you may apply once you have been in "continuous residence" 5 years minus 90 days. Do not apply too early or your application will be returned to you or denied.

Make sure to send it by certified mail with return receipt requested. Also, if multiple people are applying in the family, send each application in a separate envelope.

Unless you are living overseas or are currently serving in active duty military service, use the following list to determine where to send your application, documents, and fee:

If you live in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Territory of Guam, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, send your application to:
USCIS California Service Center
Attention N-400 Unit
P.O. Box 10400
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1040

If you live in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming, send your application to:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
Attention N-400 Unit
P.O. Box 87400
Lincoln, NE 68501-7400

If you live in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Texas, send your application to:
USCIS Texas Service Center
Attention N-400 Unit
P.O. Box 851204
Mesquite, TX 75185-1204

If you live in Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, send your application to:
USCIS Vermont Service Center
Attention N-400 Unit
75 Lower Weldon Street
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

What if I live overseas? If you are overseas and filing an N-400, you should send your application to the Service Center that serves the USCIS office where you want to be interviewed. For example, if you want to be interviewed in the Honolulu office, you should send your application to the California Service Center.

What if I am currently serving in active duty status in the military? If you are applying for naturalization based on qualifying military service, and are currently serving in an active duty status, you should go to your service's personnel office for information on how to prepare your application. You should speak to your personnel office even if you are stationed overseas.