To file Form N-400, you must submit photocopies of your green card, birth certificate, and documents proving where you lived for the past five years. According to USCIS Form N-400 instructions, you also need three years of tax returns or IRS transcripts and your passport.
Bring a state-issued ID to your naturalization interview; USCIS will ask to see originals of the documents you filed. USCIS publishes a complete checklist with the N-400 form itself, and submission packages that miss required documents face delays or requests for additional evidence. Gathering everything before you file accelerates your naturalization process.
Table of Contents
- Core Identity Documents
- Proof You Lived in the U.S. for Five Years
- Three Years of Tax Records
- Passport and Travel Documentation
- Name Changes and Good Moral Character Evidence
- Translations and Photographs
- Frequently Asked Questions
Core Identity Documents
your first documents must prove who you are and your status as a permanent resident. USCIS requires photocopies of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card (green card), and you must bring the original to your naturalization interview. You must also provide a birth certificate issued at or near the time of birth.
If your birth certificate is not available, USCIS accepts secondary evidence of identity and birth—such as a baptism record, school record, or census document—but a birth certificate is always preferred. At your interview, bring a state-issued ID such as a driver's license.
Proof You Lived in the U.S. for Five Years
One of the core N-400 requirements is showing you have lived in the United States for five years as a permanent resident. Acceptable evidence includes tax returns, bank account statements, leases, mortgages, utility bills, or employer letters documenting your address during the past five years. You do not need one document covering all five years.
Instead, submit multiple documents that together show continuous residence—for example, a lease from 2021–2024, followed by a mortgage statement from 2024 to the present. USCIS reviews these documents to verify you have continuously lived in the U.S. and did not spend more than six months abroad during any single trip.
Three Years of Tax Records
You must provide IRS-certified copies of income tax forms filed for the past three years or IRS tax return transcripts. These records serve two purposes: they demonstrate your income history and provide additional proof of continuous U.S. residence. If you did not file taxes during this period, you will need to explain why and submit alternative documentation.
USCIS accepts transcripts directly from the IRS, which you can request online through IRS.gov or by mail. Copies from your own records are acceptable only if they are certified by the IRS or stamped as official.
Passport and Travel Documentation
You must provide your current passport and any foreign travel documents to establish your travel history, particularly for trips outside the U.S. lasting longer than six months. USCIS uses this information to confirm you have spent the required time in the United States and to verify your identity. Trips of six months or longer can affect your eligibility for naturalization, which requires five years of continuous U.S. residence as a permanent resident. If you have taken long trips abroad, bring documentation showing the dates you left and returned—such as passport stamps or airline tickets.
Name Changes and Good Moral Character Evidence
If your legal name has changed since you received your green card, you must provide documentation of the change. This includes marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court orders. USCIS needs these to confirm that your current name matches your application. For establishing good moral character, you may need to provide original or certified copies of marriage, divorce, adoption, and naturalization certificates; court orders; child support evidence; arrest reports; and probation or parole records as they apply to your history. Not every applicant needs these documents—only if your background includes events that USCIS may review, such as criminal charges, traffic violations, or unpaid child support.
Translations and Photographs
Any documents submitted in a foreign language must be accompanied by a full English translation and a certification from the translator verifying the translation is complete and accurate. You can hire a professional translator or, if you are fluent in both languages, translate documents yourself and sign a certification. Applicants living outside the United States must submit two passport-style photographs; applicants in the U.S. may be requested to submit physical photographs after filing if needed for processing. Photographs should be recent, in color, and taken against a white background, following the same standards as passport photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring original documents or just copies?
Submit photocopies with your application. Bring originals to your naturalization interview for USCIS to verify against the copies.
What if I do not have a birth certificate?
USCIS accepts secondary evidence such as baptism records, school records, or census documents if your birth certificate is unavailable.
Can I submit documents in my native language?
No. Any foreign-language document must be accompanied by a complete English translation certified by a translator.
How far back do I need to document my residence?
You must prove your address for the past five years using documents like utility bills, leases, bank statements, or tax returns.