N-400 Naturalization Application
Guiding You to U.S. Citizenship in Connecticut and New York
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is the gateway to U.S. citizenship under INA §§ 316 and 319. The firm reviews eligibility under the 5-year or 3-year track, prepares complete applications, advises on the 2025 updated civics test, and represents clients at USCIS field offices in Hartford and Albany.
- New York Licensed
- 14+ Years Experience
- 5 Languages
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N-400 naturalization — quick answer
Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) is filed under INA §§ 316 (5-year LPR track: 30 months physical presence in 5 years) or 319(a) (3-year spouse track: 18 months physical presence in 3 years, continuous marital union). Both require good moral character under 8 CFR § 316.10 during the statutory period, English language ability, and passing the civics test. The 2025 updated civics test applies to applications filed on or after October 20, 2025 — 128 possible questions, 20 asked, 12 correct required. Filing fees (per 2024 USCIS fee rule 89 FR 6194): $710 online or $760 paper, with no separate biometric services fee (built into the filing fee under the 2024 fee rule). Fee waivers via Form I-912 for income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.
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Our Services
N-400 Naturalization Application Services We Provide
- N-400 eligibility analysis — 5-year (INA § 316) and 3-year spouse tracks (INA § 319)
- Physical presence and continuous residence calculation
- Good moral character (GMC) review and criminal history analysis (8 CFR § 316.10)
- N-400 application preparation and USCIS filing
- 2025 civics test preparation and English language guidance
- N-648 Medical Disability Exception documentation assistance
- N-336 administrative hearing for denied applications
Our Process
How We Handle Your N-400 Naturalization Application Case
- 1
Eligibility Review
We calculate your physical presence and continuous residence under INA § 316 or § 319(a), review the statutory period for good moral character issues under 8 CFR § 316.10, and identify any bars (including trip absences under INA § 316(b)) before filing.
- 2
N-400 Preparation
We prepare a complete, accurate N-400 covering all required questions — employment, residence, travel, criminal history, and organizational affiliations — and gather supporting documents including tax records, travel records, and marriage certificates.
- 3
Biometrics & USCIS Interview
After USCIS schedules biometrics and the naturalization interview at the Hartford or Albany field office, we prepare you for the English reading/writing test and the 2025 updated civics examination (20 questions from 128 possible; 12 correct required).
- 4
Oath of Allegiance & Certificate
Upon approval, USCIS schedules the Oath of Allegiance ceremony. We address any post-interview issues, requests for evidence, or N-336 hearings if needed, and guide you through receiving your Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550).
Documents
What you'll need for an N-400
A complete and accurate evidentiary record is the foundation of a successful naturalization application. We review your documents before filing to catch gaps that could delay or jeopardize your case.
- • Permanent resident card (green card) — front and back
- • All U.S. passports and foreign passports showing entry and exit stamps for all travel
- • Complete travel history for the statutory period (5 or 3 years) — dates and destinations
- • Federal tax returns (IRS transcripts) for the statutory period showing U.S. filing
- • Marriage certificate (if applying on 3-year spouse track) and evidence of ongoing marital union
- • Certified court dispositions for any arrest, citation, or criminal matter — even dismissed charges
- • Documentation of any prior marriages and their termination (divorce decrees, death certificates)
- • N-648 Medical Certification from a licensed physician or psychologist if disability exception applies
- • Selective Service registration confirmation (males who entered the U.S. before age 26 between 1980 and present)
- • Evidence of lawful LPR status continuity — re-entry permits, advance parole, any prior removal or deportation orders
Common pitfalls
Where N-400 applications go wrong
Failing to calculate trips accurately
Many applicants undercount or misdocument foreign travel. Absences over 6 months raise continuous-residence issues under INA § 316(b). We build a complete trip history from passport stamps, airline records, and credit card statements.
Undisclosed criminal history
The N-400 asks about all arrests — even if charges were dismissed, expunged, or you were not convicted. Omitting any arrest is treated as a misrepresentation. We review the full criminal record before filing.
Not checking GMC disqualifiers before filing
Filing N-400 while on probation or parole, or during the statutory period following certain convictions, places the applicant in a GMC bar period under 8 CFR § 316.10(b). Filing early can trigger removal proceedings rather than naturalization.
Studying the wrong civics test
USCIS updated the civics test for applications filed on or after October 20, 2025 — 128 questions, 20 asked at interview, 12 correct required. Applicants studying from prior test materials risk arriving unprepared.
Costs & fees
Filing fees for the N-400
Per the 2024 USCIS fee rule (89 FR 6194). Fee waivers are available via Form I-912 for applicants at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Confirm current fees at uscis.gov/n-400 before filing.
N-400 (Online)
$710
No separate biometric services fee (built into the filing fee) — filed online at uscis.gov; per 2024 fee rule (89 FR 6194)
N-400 (Paper)
$760
No separate biometric services fee (built into the filing fee) — filed by mail; per 2024 fee rule (89 FR 6194)
N-336 Hearing
$0
No fee for N-336 Request for Hearing on a Denied Application for Naturalization — must file within 30 days of denial
By the numbers
USCIS naturalized approximately 878,000 new citizens in FY 2023 — the highest annual total in over a decade.
Source: USCIS FY 2023 Annual Report. Check current N-400 processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times — times vary significantly by field office. The Hartford and Albany USCIS field offices serve Connecticut and upstate New York applicants.
“No person ... shall be naturalized unless such applicant, (1) immediately preceding the date of filing his application for naturalization has resided continuously, after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence, within the United States for at least five years and during the five years immediately preceding the date of filing his application has been physically present therein for periods totaling at least half of that time ...”
— Immigration and Nationality Act § 316(a), 8 U.S.C. § 1427(a)
FAQ
Naturalization FAQ
What is the difference between the 5-year and 3-year naturalization tracks?
Under INA § 316, most LPRs may apply for naturalization after 5 years of LPR status, with 30 months of physical presence within those 5 years. Under INA § 319(a), spouses of U.S. citizens may apply after 3 years of LPR status, with 18 months of physical presence within those 3 years — but the applicant must have been living in marital union with the USC spouse during the entire statutory period.
What is the 2025 civics test change?
USCIS updated its civics test effective for N-400 applications filed on or after October 20, 2025. The revised test has 128 possible civics questions. During the interview, the officer asks up to 20 questions; the applicant must answer at least 12 correctly (60% threshold) to pass. Applicants who filed before October 20, 2025, take the prior test. Study materials are available at uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources.
Can a trip abroad affect my naturalization eligibility?
Yes. Under INA § 316(b), absences from the U.S. of more than 6 months but less than 1 year create a rebuttable presumption of broken continuous residence. Absences of 1 year or more generally break continuous residence, resetting the clock — unless the applicant filed a Form N-470 before departure to preserve residence for certain employment-based absences.
What is good moral character (GMC) for naturalization?
INA § 316(a)(3) and 8 CFR § 316.10 require good moral character during the statutory period and through the oath. Statutory bars to GMC include drug trafficking, habitual drunkenness, illegal gambling, prostitution, false claims to U.S. citizenship, failure to support dependents, and being on probation or parole. Even conduct outside the statutory period may be considered under the totality of circumstances.
What if I have a physical or cognitive disability that prevents me from taking the English or civics test?
Form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions) allows a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or clinical psychologist to certify that a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment prevents the applicant from complying with the English and/or civics requirements under INA § 312(b)(1). A properly documented N-648 must be submitted with the N-400.
What happens if my N-400 is denied?
If USCIS denies a naturalization application, the applicant may request a hearing before a USCIS officer under INA § 336(a) by filing Form N-336 within 30 days of the denial notice. If that is also denied, the applicant may seek de novo review in federal district court under INA § 310(c). There is currently no fee for the N-336 hearing request.
Frequently Asked Questions
N-400 Naturalization Application FAQ
Related Topics
Related Immigration Topics
- Citizenship & Naturalization — Overview of all citizenship services
- N-600 Certificate of Citizenship — Documenting citizenship acquired through a parent
- Removal of Conditions (I-751) — Must precede naturalization for conditional LPRs
- Immigration Appeals — N-336 and federal court review
- Schedule a Consultation — Discuss N-400 eligibility
Talk to an immigration attorney
Get clear answers about your immigration case
Schedule a confidential consultation with M. Riaz Musani. Offices in West Hartford, CT and Latham, NY. Multilingual representation in five languages.