N-400 Package Checklist

[meblue 5]

My N-400 5 years, Package Checklist. Please let me know if I miss something.

1. Check payment in the amount of $680 for Citizenship application and Biometrics fee.
2. N-400 Application Form
3. Two passport size photo.
4. Photocopy of both sides of my Permanent Resident Card.
5. Photocopy of my Driver's License and Social Security card.
6. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate of my previous marriage.
7. Photocopy of Death Certificate of my previous marriage
8. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate of my present marriage as proof of name change.
9. Photocopy of my passport as proof of my travel outside the US.

[robotvisiontx 1]

My N-400 5 years, Package Checklist. Please let me know if I miss something.

1. Check payment in the amount of $680 for Citizenship application and Biometrics fee.

2. N-400 Application Form

3. Two passport size photo.

4. Photocopy of both sides of my Permanent Resident Card.

5. Photocopy of my Driver's License and Social Security card.

6. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate of my previous marriage.

7. Photocopy of Death Certificate of my previous marriage

8. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate of my present marriage as proof of name change.

9. Photocopy of my passport as proof of my travel outside the US.

Tax Returns

copy of selective service registration card

[Terry J 50]

Tax Returns

copy of selective service registration card

If the OP is a female then the selective service registration does not apply to her.

As for the tax returns you don't need to send it with the N-400. But, you need to have all the IRS transcripts for the last 3 or 5 tax years (depending on the grounds for naturalization application) with you on the day of the interview in order to show the IO if it's requested. IRS transcripts can be requested on-line here:

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Order-a-Transcript

My husband recently went through the N-400 process and didn't submit anything tax related. He had the transcripts with him on interview day but the IO never asked him about them.

[chaingang 7]

selective services depends on age , if you are in age of 18 to 26 than your eligible else not

[robotvisiontx 1]

you don't need to include you tax return in your package if you don't have that copy in hand and it will take you several weeks to obtain that from IRS. This applied many other required documents. There are many people who forgot to include their pictures, copy of driver license, passport...etc....They can just show it to the officer during the interview. But chances is that you may not be so lucky to have a senior officer to interview you. A senior officer is who can take lot of correction and add-on documents at the interview and still can give you an "recommend for approval". In case you have a junior officer and in case they want too see that tax return or a final disposition and you did not included in your package. Then that junior officer may have excuse to give you a "decision cannot be made" to have more time to look at this "new add-on" documents, and have a senior officer to double check. This may delay your from days to months. If that tax return does not embarrass you, just put in your package. So USCIS can look at it before your interview, and that will make you interview go smoother.

[Autumnal 25]

Looks solid. I would include the tax returns so you don't have to hand them over later - this can be advantageous for coming into the office with less paper.

[meblue 5]

Thanks to all the replies and good advice. I really appreciate it

[mimigrant 0]

My N-400 5 years, Package Checklist. Please let me know if I miss something.

1. Check payment in the amount of $680 for Citizenship application and Biometrics fee.

2. N-400 Application Form

3. Two passport size photo.

4. Photocopy of both sides of my Permanent Resident Card.

5. Photocopy of my Driver's License and Social Security card.

6. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate of my previous marriage.

7. Photocopy of Death Certificate of my previous marriage

8. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate of my present marriage as proof of name change.

9. Photocopy of my passport as proof of my travel outside the US.

I'm confused. I will be in the same situation (5 year application) and I never been told here to send these:

5. Photocopy of my Driver's License and Social Security card. (What for? It's not in the instructions!)

9. Photocopy of my passport as proof of my travel outside the US. (Uh? Where do they state we have to send proof of this? I thought we only had to send a list of trips with the dates. I will bring passports to interview. Do I really have to make dozens of copies of stamps on passaports??? Doesn't make sense, sorry...)

So - is it better to be sending things they didn't ask, just in case???

I don't see the need to send tax returns for 5 year-based applicants, a) they don't ask for it; b) You will have to bring it to interview anyway in case it gets lost by them.

Edited August 4, 2013 by themimigrant

[meblue 5]

I'm confused. I will be in the same situation (5 year application) and I never been told here to send these:

5. Photocopy of my Driver's License and Social Security card. (What for? It's not in the instructions!)

9. Photocopy of my passport as proof of my travel outside the US. (Uh? Where do they state we have to send proof of this? I thought we only had to send a list of trips with the dates. I will bring passports to interview. Do I really have to make dozens of copies of stamps on passaports??? Doesn't make sense, sorry...)

So - is it better to be sending things they didn't ask, just in case???

I don't see the need to send tax returns for 5 year-based applicants, a) they don't ask for it; b) You will have to bring it to interview anyway in case it gets lost by them.

Hi, sorry for the late reply. On my previous petition I sent more documents or evidence and I notice that the approval was faster. In my N-400 application I also sent more documents or evidence. I also sent all my tax returns since I became a resident.

[mozplay 29]

There seems to be some confusion .. here is what you need to send if you are filing independently (under the 5-year rule):

All applicants MUST send the following 3 items with their N-400 application:

1. A photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card
2. Two identical color photographs, with your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number) written lightly in pencil on the back of each photo.
3. A check or money order for the application fee and the biometrics services fee.

Send copies of the following documents IF THEY APPLY TO YOU:

1. If an attorney is filing on your behalf, send a completed original Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative.​
2. If your current legal name is different from the name on your Permanent Resident Card, send: The document(s) that legally changed your name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court document).
3. If you were married before, send: Proof that all earlier marriages ended (divorce decree(s), annulment(s), or death certificates(s)).
4. If you are currently in the U.S. military service and are seeking citizenship based on that service, send: A completed original Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service.
5. If you have taken any trip outside the United States that lasted 6 months or more since becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident, send evidence that you (and your family) continued to live, work and/or keep ties to the United States, such as: An IRS tax return “transcript” or an IRS-certified tax return listing tax information for the last 5 years (or for the last 3 years if you are applying on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen), rent or mortgage payments and pay stubs.
6. If you have a dependent spouse or child(ren) who do not live with you, send: Any court or government order to provide financial support; and Evidence of your financial support (including evidence that you have complied with any court or government order), such as: a. Cancelled checks; b. Money and receipts; c. A court or agency printout of child support payments; d. Evidence of wage garnishments; e. A letter from the parent or guardian who cares for your child(ren).
7. If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and no charges were filed, send: An original official statement by the arresting agency or applicant court confirming that no charges were filed.
8. If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and charges were filed, send: An original or court-certified copy of the complete arrest record and disposition for each incident (dismissal order, conviction record or acquittal order).
9. If you have ever been convicted or placed in an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program (such as a drug treatment or community service program), send: An original or court-certified copy of the sentencing record for each incident; and Evidence that you completed your sentence: a. An original or certified copy of your probation or parole record; or b. Evidence that you completed an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program.
10. If you have ever had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged or otherwise removed from your record, send: An original or court-certified copy of the court order vacating, setting aside, sealing, expunging or otherwise removing the arrest or conviction, or an original statement from the court that no record exists of your arrest or conviction. NOTE: If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, you may send any countervailing evidence or evidence in your favor concerning the circumstances of your arrest and/or conviction that you would like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to consider.
11. If you have ever failed to file an income tax return since you became a Lawful Permanent Resident, send: All correspondence with the IRS regarding your failure to file.
12. If you have any Federal, state or local taxes that are overdue, send: A signed agreement from the IRS or state or local tax office showing that you have filed a tax return and arranged to pay the taxes you owe; and Documentation from the IRS or state or local tax office showing the current status of your repayment program.
13. If you are applying for a disability exception to the testing requirement, send: An 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.
14. If you did not register with the Selective Service and you (1) are male, (2) are 26 years old or older, and (3) lived in the United States in a status other than as a lawful nonimmigrant between the ages of 18 and 26, send: A “Status Information Letter” from the Selective Service (Call 1-847-688-8888 for more information).

You do not need to send copies of your passport pages (they will want to see them at the interview) copies of your SSN card, selective service registration card or driver's license (though you can also take them to the interview). Because you are filing under the 5 year rule, you don't need your tax transcripts (though take them to the interview just in case).

Basically, don't put too much paperwork into the N-400. Send ONLY what has been requested and gather everything but the kitchen sink as further evidence IF they request it. If you are eligible for citizenship, you'll get it. This isn't as complicated as some of the other steps.

Don't forget the G-1145 so that you'll receive email updates.