Common Reasons Why Your Naturalization Application May Be Denied

Why Citizenship Denial Happens — And How You Can Avoid It

For many, applying for U.S. citizenship is more than just paperwork — it’s the hope of a better future, a new beginning, and the dream of fully belonging in this country. But what happens when that dream faces an unexpected roadblock: a denied naturalization application?

Thousands of applicants like you face this disappointment every year. The good news? Most denials happen because of issues you can prevent—simple mistakes, missing information, or misunderstandings about eligibility. By understanding the common reasons why Form N-400 applications are denied, you can take control of your journey, avoid costly delays, and keep your dream alive.

This guide will walk you through the top reasons USCIS may deny your naturalization application and give you practical tips to strengthen your case — so you can move confidently toward becoming a U.S. citizen.

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Don’t let common mistakes stand in the way of your American dream. Use our expert-reviewed resources or consult with an immigration attorney today to ensure your Form N-400 is complete and accurate. Start your path to U.S. citizenship with confidence—because every detail matters.

Real Stats on Citizenship Approvals, Denials, and Pending

Before diving into why naturalization applications get denied, it’s helpful to see the big picture. These USCIS numbers show how many applications are approved, denied, and still waiting for a decision. This is Fiscal Year 2025: Quarter 2 Data Reports, January–March 2025.

Source: USCIS

Why It’s Crucial to Be Careful: Understanding Citizenship Denials and Backlogs

The data speaks volumes about the citizenship application process: approximately 8.6% of naturalization applications are rejected each year. While this might seem like a small fraction, for those applicants, a denial means delays, additional stress, and sometimes a complicated path forward.

Even more striking is the large number of pending applications — over 536,000 cases remain unresolved. This backlog means that many applicants are waiting months or even years for their citizenship decisions, often due to missing information, paperwork errors, or overlooked eligibility requirements.

What does this mean for you?

• Attention to detail matters. A simple mistake on Form N-400 or incomplete documentation can turn a hopeful application into a denial.
• Understanding eligibility is key. Meeting all the requirements before applying significantly lowers the risk of rejection.
• Preparation can save you time and frustration. Avoid becoming part of the growing backlog by submitting a complete, accurate application.

Your journey to U.S. citizenship is too important to leave to chance. Taking the time to carefully prepare your naturalization application can be the difference between approval and months of waiting or even denial.

Take Control of Your Citizenship Journey Today with ImmigrationDirect
Don’t become part of the 8.6% of applicants who get denied or face long waits in the backlog. ImmigrationDirect guides you step-by-step through your Form N-400 application, checks for errors, provides expert lawyer review, and helps you submit with confidence. Start your path to U.S. citizenship now—consult with our immigration specialists and move forward with peace of mind!

Reasons for Being Denied U.S. Citizenship

Filing Form N-400 means you’re asking USCIS to carefully review your entire immigration history once again. This review can uncover past issues—such as incomplete information, undisclosed legal problems, or inconsistencies—that might lead to delays or denial of your application. Understanding why rejections happen and how to avoid denial is essential to preparing a strong application.

By learning from the common pitfalls other applicants have faced, you can better protect your path to citizenship. If any of the following reasons apply to you, consider consulting an immigration attorney before submitting your N-400 to avoid unexpected denials.

1. Incomplete or Incorrect Data in N-400 Application

One of the most common reasons USCIS denies Form N-400 applications is due to incomplete or incorrect data. This includes missing answers, errors in personal information, or failure to submit all required supporting documents.

Even minor mistakes—like typos in names or dates, or forgetting to check a box—can lead to delays or denial. Incomplete applications force USCIS to send Requests for Evidence (RFEs), which prolong the process and increase the risk of errors that could lead to denial.

How to Fix and Avoid This Issue

• Carefully review every section of Form N-400 before submitting. Make sure all questions are answered accurately and completely.
• Double-check personal information such as names, dates of birth, and addresses to ensure they exactly match your official documents.
• Include all required supporting documents. USCIS provides a checklist—use it to verify that nothing is missing, such as your green card copy, marriage certificates, or tax returns.
• Sign and date the application. An unsigned form is automatically rejected.
• Keep copies of everything you submit and track your application status regularly.
• If you receive an RFE, respond promptly and provide all requested information.

By submitting a complete and accurate application, you greatly reduce the chances of delays, RFEs, or outright denial — helping you move smoothly toward citizenship.

Citizenship Ineligibility

If you do not meet the basic eligibility requirements, USCIS will deny your citizenship application. Immigrants seeking citizenship must meet the following requirements:

• 18 years old or older on the date of filing
• Permanent resident– Green Card holder– for at least 5 years
• Residence for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS application district
• Continuous residence in the United States for at least 5 years prior to the application filing date
• Physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months of the 5 years preceding the application date
• Ability to read, write and speak basic English
• Hold a basic understanding of U.S. history and government
• Demonstrate good moral character
• Show an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution

Failure to Pay Taxes

A tax issue can easily derail your application for U.S. citizenship. Before you file, ensure that all your taxes have been paid and that you have no lingering issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Failure to Pay Child Support

Owing back taxes will almost certainly result in your naturalization application being denied. As with a failure to pay your taxes, failure to pay child support is looked upon poorly by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Make sure all your child support payments are up to date before applying for citizenship.

Lack of Good Moral Character

Lack of good moral character is a wide-ranging requirement of the naturalization process. While a USCIS officer is not going to do a deep dive into your personal life to make a moral judgment upon your character, they will look into your criminal history to ensure that you meet all the requirements for good moral character relative to the law.

Some serious crimes can bar you from ever attaining citizenship and even result in your deportation from the country. With other offenses, USCIS will review the five-year period immediately preceding your application for citizenship.

The USCIS provides some examples of acts they believe show poor moral character, including:

• Prostitution
• Illegal gambling
• Failure to pay child support or alimony
• Habitual drunkenness
• Violation of any controlled substance laws
• Crimes against a person involving intent to harm
• Imprisonment for 180 days or more over the previous five years
• Persecution of anyone due to their race, religion, national origin, political opinion, or social group
• Terrorist acts

Failing the Civics Naturalization Test During Interview

Preparing for the naturalization interview is an important step toward obtaining U.S. citizenship. Failing either the civics portion of the naturalization test twice can result in your application getting denied. Make sure to study the 100 potential citizenship test questions and answers you could be asked for the civics portion of the test. Preparing properly for your interview and exam is in your best interests.

See Also: How to Prepare for Your U.S. Citizenship [English & Civics] Test

Proficiency In English

Passing the English portion of the naturalization test is an essential requirement for receiving citizenship. However, there are exceptions to this requirement. If a disability prevents you from taking this portion of the test, you can file Form N-648 for an exemption.

Additionally, those who are 55 or older and have held a green card for 15 years or more can use a translator at their naturalization interview.

Absence of Physical Presence

One of the requirements for obtaining citizenship is that you must have been in the country for at least half of the time over the five years before filing your Form N-400 application for naturalization.

That means that you must have physically been in the United States for at least 30 months over that period. This is broken down further where you must have been in the country for at least six months in each of the preceding five years. Additionally, you must continuously reside in the U.S. while your application is being processed.

Your Application Was Deemed Fraudulent

Your N-400 application will be denied if it is determined that you provided false information on your application. Your intent is unlikely to be taken into consideration. Even if you made a simple mistake and did not intend to provide false information, your application will likely be rejected.

Having a Fraudulent Green Card

If your green card is fraudulent or was obtained fraudulently, you could face a denial of citizenship. Additionally, you could be made to appear in court and face deportation proceedings.

Not Registering for the Selective Service

Males 18 to 25 years of age applying for U.S. citizenship must register for the Selective Service. Failure to do so is a common reason why citizenship is denied.

There are options for challenging a denial based on this decision. However, you must be able to prove that failing to register for the Selective Service was not a willful act.

Denial based on failure to register will bar you from refiling until you reach 31 years of age.

Having a Criminal Record

When you apply for citizenship, USCIS will run a thorough check of your criminal history. You can still get citizenship if you have a criminal record, but it depends on what the crime was and whether you were convicted. Some crimes will automatically disqualify you from becoming a U.S. citizen.

If you have a criminal record, talk to an immigration lawyer before applying for citizenship to make sure you are eligible.

Green Card Renewal Failure

Your citizenship application may be denied if you do not have a current, valid green card. How strictly USCIS holds to this requirement can vary. However, your N-400 application may get denied even if it just expired and you failed to get it renewed in time. That’s why renewing your green card periodically as required is essential.

Do you know how much Green Cards getting Denied Each Year?
N-400 application form status released by DHS: Totally, 177,913 forms are received, of which 197,536 forms are approved, and 248,63 forms are denied. To avoid your citizenship application denial, use our service to check your eligibility and apply.

Crimes That Will Prevent You From Receiving U.S. Citizenship

If you have a criminal record, you are probably worried about whether your criminal history will affect your ability to attain citizenship. Conviction of some crimes will not affect your ability to obtain citizenship. However, many criminal acts could bar you from citizenship. Some convictions will result in a permanent disqualification, while others are only temporary.

Crimes That Permanently Bar Applicants From Citizenship

Crimes that permanently bar an applicant from obtaining citizenship include murder and aggravated felonies. While any murder conviction will result in a permanent block to your citizenship path, only aggravated felonies where the conviction was after November 29, 1990, apply.

There is no way around these blocks to your citizenship application. When USCIS reviews your criminal record, your application will automatically be denied. In addition, you will likely be put into deportation proceedings.

There is no clear definition of an aggravated felony. Some of these crimes are the serious offenses that you might expect, while others can be surprising and may even be deemed misdemeanors at the state or local level. Some crimes that can be considered aggravated felonies include:

• Rape
• Sexual abuse of a minor
• Child pornography
• Running a prostitution business
• Firearm trafficking
• Drug trafficking
• Racketeering
• Fraud of $10,000 or more
• Any crime of violence
• Theft or burglary that resulted in a prison term of one year or more
• Resisting arrest
• Driving under the influence

Not all the offenses listed above will always be counted as aggravated felonies, but all can be. Talk to an immigration lawyer before applying for citizenship if you have been convicted of any of these offenses.

Crimes That Temporarily Bar Applicants From Citizenship

With other criminal acts, as long as you were convicted before the five years prior to filing your citizenship application, you may be eligible to apply. However, there is no guarantee that USCIS will not choose to consider older actions when determining whether or not to grant you citizenship.

Some of the crimes that could make you temporarily ineligible for naturalization include:

• Operation of a commercial vice enterprise
• Participation in illegal vice activities
• Crimes of moral turpitude
• Crimes that result in 180 days or more in jail or prison
• Any crime related to an illegal drug (aside from a single offense involving 30 grams or less of marijuana
• Illegal gambling

Talk to an immigration lawyer if you have been convicted of any of the crimes listed above or similar offenses. A lawyer can help you determine how long you should wait after your conviction before applying for citizenship.

Steps to Take After a Denial of Citizenship

If your citizenship application gets denied, you still have options available for obtaining citizenship in many cases.

Administrative Review Filing Process

If your naturalization application gets denied, you may be able to file Form N-336 to request an administrative hearing. After you receive notice of your denial, you can request a hearing from a new immigration officer. You have 30 days to request an administrative review from the date of your application denial.

You will have to pay a fee when applying and can provide supplementary documentation to your application along with Form N-336.

Federal District Court Review Request

If your application is once again rejected, you can appeal the decision to the federal district court. You will need to submit a petition to a local federal district court within 120 days of the denial of your administrative review. Your district court hearing will be scheduled within 180 days.

After your application is reviewed, the new officer will either uphold the denial, deny your application based on new findings, or approve your application. During this process, you may also be able to retake the English or civics test if you failed during your original application.

Legal Motions

You may also be able to file a legal motion if your application gets denied. This can be in the form of a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider.

With a motion to reopen, you will present new evidence that you believe will affect your case, along with your original application. The officer who issued you the denial will determine whether the new evidence warrants a reversal of their decision.

A motion to reconsider is filed if you believe that the evaluating officer denied you in error. You must prove that the law was applied incorrectly or insufficiently and that your application should have been approved.

Get Help With Your U.S. Citizenship Application

The best way to avoid a denial of your application is to prepare your naturalization application with the help of an immigration services company. At Immigration Direct, we have helped countless people file their N-400 applications correctly and obtain citizenship on their first attempt.