What documents you need to apply for citizenship

This page lists papers to gather. It is general information, not legal advice. Not sure you qualify yet? Start with Can I become a US citizen? Check these warning signs first.

What does everyone need?

• A copy of your green card, both sides.
• The fee, or a fee waiver or reduced fee request. If you mail it, pay by card with Form G-1450 or from a U.S. bank account with Form G-1650. See How much citizenship costs.
• Your marriage papers, if you are married or were married before: your current marriage certificate, and any divorce decree, annulment or death certificate that ended an earlier marriage.

You do not send photos when you apply from inside the U.S. USCIS takes your photo and fingerprints at a biometrics appointment. Wear what you would like to see on your citizenship certificate, because USCIS may use that photo.

Send copies, not originals, unless USCIS asks. USCIS may destroy originals it did not ask for. Any paper in another language needs a full English translation and a signed note from the translator saying it is complete and correct and that they can translate.

What if I apply through marriage?

If you apply after 3 years because you are married to a U.S. citizen, also gather:

• Proof your spouse has been a citizen for 3 years: a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization or citizenship certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), or the photo page of their U.S. passport.
• Proof you have lived together as a married couple for 3 years. Examples: joint bank or credit card statements, a lease or mortgage, birth certificates of children born during the marriage, insurance policies, and IRS tax transcripts for you and your spouse for the last 3 years.
• Papers ending any earlier marriage, for you and for your spouse.

If you got your green card as the abused spouse or child of a U.S. citizen (VAWA), you do not need marriage or spouse papers. Talk to a legal clinic about your case.

What if I have ever been arrested?

You must report every arrest, citation or charge, anywhere in the world, even if it was dropped, sealed, expunged or happened before you turned 18. Leaving one out can get you denied even when the offense itself would not.

If a record no longer exists, get a certified letter from the police or court that says so. You may send photocopies with the application, but bring originals or court certified copies to the interview.

Any arrest is a reason to talk to a lawyer before you file. Read Applying for citizenship with an arrest or record and How to get a copy of your criminal record in California.

What if I owe taxes, fines or child support?

Taxes. Most people do not need to send tax papers. If you owe federal, state or local taxes, send:

1. IRS tax transcripts for the last 5 years (3 if you apply through marriage)
2. A signed payment agreement from the IRS or your state or local tax office
3. A paper showing your payment plan is up to date

Fines, restitution or wage garnishment. Send the order and proof you paid it or are paying it now.

Child support, if you have children you were ordered to support. Send proof you are paying: canceled checks or money order receipts, a court or agency record of payments, proof of wage garnishment, or a notarized letter from the parent or guardian who cares for the child.

What about trips outside the country?

You list your trips on the form. If any trip lasted more than 6 months but less than 1 year, send proof that your life stayed in the U.S. while you were gone, such as:

• Rent or mortgage statements, or pay stubs
• Bank, credit card or loan statements with regular activity
• Car registration and insurance
• Your passport with entry and exit stamps
• IRS tax transcripts

A trip of 1 year or more breaks your residence. See Will long trips abroad hurt my citizenship application?

What about Selective Service?

Almost all men who lived in the U.S. between ages 18 and 26 had to register. If you did not:

• Under 26: register now, before you apply.
• 26 to 31 (26 to 29 on the marriage path): send a status information letter from Selective Service and a short statement of why you did not register. The online request page named in the N-400 instructions no longer works. Ask Selective Service for the letter by phone at 888-655-1825 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern) or by email at information@sss.gov, as its contact page lists (checked October 21, 2026).
• 31 or older (29 or older on the marriage path): you do not need the letter or the statement.

See Selective Service and citizenship.

Should I add character reference letters?

They are optional. Under a policy from August 2026, USCIS may send an officer to talk with your neighbors or coworkers. Sending at least two letters from U.S. citizens who know you, and who are not family, can help USCIS decide to skip that visit. Leaving them out does not mean you lack good moral character. See How to write a character reference letter and New citizenship rules in 2025 and 2026.

What else should I keep handy?

These help you fill out the form correctly, even if you do not send them:

• Every address where you lived and every job or school for the last 5 years
• Dates of every trip outside the U.S. (your passport helps)
• Names and birth dates of your children and spouse
• Your old immigration papers. If you are missing some, see How to get a copy of your immigration file.

If your green card is about to expire, your N-400 receipt notice extends it. See My green card is expiring but I applied for citizenship.

Who can help?

These are free or low cost Bay Area offices and nonprofits. Outside the Bay Area, use the state's map of free immigration legal services. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, for low income San Mateo and Santa Clara County residents: 650-326-6440. Walk in help Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1861 Bay Road.
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City: free citizenship workshop on the second Tuesday of each month. Register at (650) 780-7530.
• More groups: Free or low cost immigration legal help in the Bay Area

Running a workshop for your church or center? See How to host a citizenship document gathering workshop.

Is there a checklist I can print?