Form N-400 Document Checklist 2026: Required Documents and Evidence

Quick Answer: Form N-400 Document Checklist

Most Form N-400 applicants need to provide a copy of their Green Card and documents that apply to their individual circumstances. Depending on your case, USCIS may also require marriage records, evidence of trips outside the United States, tax records, court records, Selective Service documents, military records, or other supporting evidence.

At your naturalization interview, bring your appointment notice, identification, Green Card if applicable, and required original or updated documents.

Form N-400 edition: As of November 2026, the current USCIS Form N-400 edition is 01/20/25. Always check the USCIS Form N-400 page before filing in case USCIS publishes a newer edition.

N-400 Required Documents at a Glance

Use this checklist to identify the documents that may apply to your Form N-400. Not every applicant needs every document below. Your required evidence depends on your basis for naturalization and your answers about marriage, travel, taxes, Selective Service, military service, criminal history, and other circumstances.

Proof of Lawful Permanent Resident Status

Most applicants filing Form N-400 based on lawful permanent residence should submit a copy of the front and back of their Permanent Resident Card, even if the card is expired.

USCIS currently provides a 24-month automatic extension of Green Card validity to eligible applicants who properly file Form N-400. The Form N-400 receipt notice, when presented together with the expired Green Card, serves as evidence of the extension during that period.

Because of this extension, some naturalization applicants with an expiring or expired Green Card may not need to file Form I-90 solely to obtain evidence of continued permanent resident status while Form N-400 is pending. Learn whether you can apply for citizenship with an expired Green Card.

N-400 Filing Fee and Fee-Related Documents

The standard Form N-400 filing fee is $710 when filed online or $760 when filed on paper. Eligible applicants may qualify for a $380 reduced fee or a $0 fee waiver. Applicants filing based on qualifying military service under INA sections 328 or 329 pay $0.

If you request the reduced fee or a fee waiver, you must file Form N-400 on paper and include the required supporting financial documentation. Always check the current USCIS fee schedule before filing. See our Form N-400 filing fee guide for fee eligibility and payment details.

Marriage and Prior Marriage Documents

If you are currently married, include a copy of your marriage certificate. If you were previously married, include applicable records showing how those marriages ended, such as:

• Divorce decrees
• Annulment decrees
• Death certificates

These marital-status documents may apply even if you are filing Form N-400 under the 5-year General Provision rather than based on marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Passport-Style Photos (If Abroad)

Applicants who reside outside the United States must include two identical passport-style photographs with Form N-400 according to USCIS instructions.

Form N-426 and Military Service Records

If you are applying for naturalization based on qualifying U.S. military service, you may need Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service. Former service members should also provide applicable discharge or separation records, such as Form DD-214, NGB Form 22, or other military service records required for their case.

Form N-648 – Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions

If a disability or impairment prevents you from meeting the English and/or civics requirements for naturalization, an authorized medical professional may complete Form N-648. USCIS generally requires Form N-648 to be submitted with Form N-400.

USCIS may consider a Form N-648 submitted later if the applicant provides a credible explanation and sufficient evidence showing extenuating circumstances for the late filing.

Legal Name Change Documentation

Has your name changed due to marriage, divorce, court order, or adoption? Include official documents such as:

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Court-issued name change order
• Adoption records

Your documents must clearly link your current legal name to the name on your green card. Here’s how to change your name on USCIS documents.

Form G-28 – Attorney or Accredited Representative

If an attorney or DOJ-accredited representative represents you in your naturalization case, submit Form G-28 so USCIS can recognize the representative and communicate with them about your case. Learn more about consulting an immigration attorney for your naturalization process.

Documents Needed for an N-400 Online Application

The supporting evidence required for an online Form N-400 depends on the same eligibility and personal circumstances that apply to a paper application.

Instead of mailing photocopies, eligible online filers can upload electronic copies of the documents requested by the USCIS online filing system. For help completing each part of the application, see our Form N-400 instructions.

The online N-400 adapts to your basis for filing and your answers. USCIS may prompt you to upload evidence such as:

• A copy of your Green Card, if applicable
• Marriage and divorce records
• Proof of your spouse’s U.S. citizenship if filing under the 3-year rule
• Evidence related to extended travel
• Tax documents
• Court or arrest records
• Child or spousal support records
• Selective Service records
• Form N-648 or military records when applicable

Reduced-fee and fee-waiver applicants cannot currently file Form N-400 online. These applicants must file a paper Form N-400 with the required supporting financial evidence.

Documents for N-400 Under the 5-Year General Provision

The General Provision on Form N-400 generally applies to applicants filing based on having been lawful permanent residents for at least five years.

Your supporting documents depend on your answers on Form N-400; there is not one identical document package for every 5-year applicant. See the full U.S. citizenship eligibility requirements if you are unsure whether you qualify under the 5-year rule.

Most applicants filing under the General Provision should provide a copy of their Green Card. You may also need additional documents based on your marital status, travel history, taxes, Selective Service history, criminal history, support obligations, name changes, or other answers on Form N-400.

Do 5-Year N-400 Applicants Need Marriage Documents?

Yes, marriage records may still be required even if you are not applying under the 3-year marriage rule. The current Form N-400 asks applicants who are currently married to provide their marriage certificate and applicants with applicable prior marriages to provide documentation showing how those marriages ended.

However, the additional evidence about a current U.S.-citizen spouse and marital union applies specifically when your naturalization eligibility is based on marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Documents for N-400 Under the 3-Year Marriage Rule

Applicants filing for naturalization under the 3-year rule based on marriage to a U.S. citizen need additional evidence beyond the documents used to establish their own marital status.

USCIS must be able to confirm the spouse’s U.S. citizenship and that the applicant meets the applicable marriage and marital-union requirements.

Proof Your Previous Marriages Ended

If you were previously married, include documentation showing how each applicable prior marriage legally ended. Examples include:

• Divorce decrees
• Annulment decrees
• Death certificates

If a document is in a foreign language, include the required full English translation and translator certification.

Proof Your Spouse Has Been a U.S. Citizen for the Required Period

If you are applying under the 3-year spouse rule, you must establish that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the required period before you file.

Depending on how your spouse obtained citizenship, evidence may include:

• U.S. birth certificate
• U.S. passport
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Evidence of Marital Union

Applicants filing under the 3-year marriage rule should provide evidence showing that they have lived in marital union with their U.S.-citizen spouse during the applicable period.

Examples may include:

• Joint federal or state tax records
• Joint leases or mortgage records
• Joint bank or credit account statements
• Insurance policies showing both spouses
• Birth certificates of children born to the marriage
• Other records showing a shared residence and financial life

What Does “Additional Evidence You Want to Provide” Mean on Form N-400?

“Additional evidence” on Form N-400 means supporting documents that help establish eligibility or explain an answer on your application. You do not need to upload unrelated documents simply because USCIS provides an option to add evidence.

The evidence you should provide depends on your individual circumstances. Examples include records related to extended travel, taxes, child or spousal support, Selective Service, arrests or court cases, name changes, disability exceptions, or military service.

The following sections explain common situations in which additional evidence may be needed.

Foreign-Language Documents and Certified English Translations

If you submit a document containing information in a foreign language, include a full English translation.

The translator must certify that:

• The translation is complete and accurate; and
• They are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

The certification should also include the translator’s signature, printed name, date of signature, and contact information.

Unless USCIS specifically asks for an original, generally submit legible copies of supporting documents rather than sending original civil documents.

Trips Outside the United States Lasting More Than 6 Months

If you had a trip outside the United States lasting more than 6 months but less than 1 year during the period USCIS reviews for naturalization, you may need evidence showing that you did not break your continuous residence in the United States.

Evidence may include:

• IRS tax transcripts showing you continued to file as a U.S. resident
• Rent, mortgage, or other evidence that you maintained a U.S. home
• U.S. bank or credit-card records
• Evidence that your immediate family remained in the United States
• Employment records showing continued U.S. employment
• Passport pages or travel records showing the dates of the trip

Absences lasting 1 year or more are subject to different continuous-residence rules and should be reviewed separately before filing Form N-400.

Child or Spousal Support Obligations

If you have a legal obligation to provide child support or alimony, USCIS may require evidence showing that you have complied with that obligation.

Depending on your situation, supporting documents may include:

• Court or agency support orders
• Cancelled checks or bank-transfer records
• Wage-garnishment records
• Payment receipts or account statements
• Other records showing that required payments were made

Selective Service Registration

Federal law requires nearly all people born as male who are U.S. citizens or immigrants to register with Selective Service while they are 18 through 25 years old. However, the Form N-400 specifically excludes periods when a person was in the United States solely in lawful nonimmigrant status.

If you were required to register and did so, keep your registration information available. You can verify your Selective Service registration online.

If you were required to register but did not, USCIS may require:

• A Status Information Letter from the Selective Service System; and
• A written explanation of why you did not register.

Whether these documents are required also depends on your age when you file Form N-400 and your basis for naturalization.

When Do You Need Tax Transcripts for N-400?

Tax transcripts are not required for every Form N-400 applicant. However, they may be useful or required depending on your case.

You should consider bringing or providing tax records if:

• You are applying under the 3-year marriage rule and using joint tax records as evidence;
• You had a trip outside the United States lasting more than six months;
• You currently owe overdue federal, state, or local taxes;
• You did not file a required tax return; or
• USCIS specifically asks for tax records.

If you owe taxes, supporting evidence may include a signed payment agreement and records showing that you are making payments as required. You can request IRS tax transcripts online if you need copies for your naturalization case.

Law Enforcement or Criminal History

Form N-400 asks detailed questions about arrests, charges, convictions, sentencing, and other conduct. If any of these questions apply to you, USCIS may require certified court or law-enforcement records even when a case was dismissed, expunged, sealed, or otherwise resolved.

Naturalization Interview Document Checklist

USCIS may ask to inspect original documents, updated records, or additional evidence at your naturalization interview. Your interview notice may also list documents that are specific to your case. See the USCIS naturalization interview guidance for the official interview document list.

At minimum, USCIS instructs applicants to bring the interview appointment notice, Permanent Resident Card if applicable, state-issued identification, and applicable passports and travel documents.

What to Bring to Your Naturalization Interview

Use this checklist to avoid delays or rescheduling. Many of these documents were submitted earlier as copies — but now, USCIS needs to see the originals:

Related: Responding to a USCIS Request for Evidence (RFE)

How Interview Documents Differ From Your Initial N-400 Evidence

When filing Form N-400, applicants generally submit copies or upload electronic copies of supporting evidence. At the naturalization interview, USCIS may ask to inspect original documents or review evidence that has changed since filing.

Bring updated documentation if there has been a relevant change involving:

• Your marital status
• Your address
• Travel outside the United States
• Employment when relevant to your eligibility
• Child or spousal support obligations
• Arrests, charges, or other legal matters
• Any other answer on your Form N-400

Also bring any additional documents specifically requested in your interview notice.

Also Read: What to Expect at Your Citizenship Interview

FAQs About Documents Required for N-400