How to Apply for Naturalization Online Through myUSCIS

Filing Form N-400 online through myUSCIS is generally faster, cheaper, and easier to track than filing by mail. The online fee is $710 compared to $760 for paper applications. You receive instant confirmation of receipt and can check your case status directly through your myUSCIS account. Here is exactly how to do it.

Step 1: Create a myUSCIS Account

Go to myaccount.uscis.gov. If you do not already have a USCIS online account, click "Create an Account" and register with your email address. You will verify your email before proceeding. Your account will be connected to your pending case once you file.

Step 2: Start the N-400 Application

After logging in, click "File a Form Online," then select "N-400 Application for Naturalization." The system will walk you through an eligibility questionnaire before opening the full form. This questionnaire helps USCIS determine which version of the N-400 applies to you.

Step 3: Complete All 18 Parts of the Form

Form N-400 has 18 parts. The system saves your progress automatically, so you can complete it in multiple sessions. The sections most applicants find difficult are:

• Part 4 (Travel History). You must list every trip outside the United States lasting 24 hours or more for the past five years (or since you became a permanent resident if that was less than five years ago). Use your passports to compile accurate dates and destinations. Partial days count as full days under USCIS rules.
• Part 7 (Employment History). List all employers for the past five years. Include any periods of self-employment or unemployment and note dates carefully.
• Part 12 (Good Moral Character). This section contains more than 40 yes/no questions about arrests, criminal history, membership in organizations, and other conduct. Answer every question truthfully. If you answer "yes" to any question, the online form will prompt you for a written explanation.

Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents

The online filing system allows you to upload scanned copies of supporting documents before submitting. At minimum, upload a color copy of the front and back of your Green Card. If your situation requires additional documents (marriage certificate, divorce decrees, court records), upload those as well. Accepted file formats are PDF, JPG, and PNG, with a maximum file size of 6 MB per document.

Step 5: Pay the Fee

The online filing fee is $710. Payment is accepted by credit card, debit card, or bank account transfer. There is no additional biometrics fee for applicants over 75. If you cannot afford the fee, you can submit Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) by mail instead, in which case you must file a paper N-400. You cannot submit a fee waiver for an online application.

After You Submit: The Receipt Notice

After payment is processed, USCIS issues a receipt notice (Form I-797) confirming your application was received. For online filers, this notice appears in your myUSCIS account and is also mailed to you. The receipt notice contains your case number, which follows the format of a three- letter code followed by a 10-digit number. You will use this number to check your status.

When to File by Mail Instead

File by mail if you are requesting a fee waiver (Form I-912), if you have a complex disability exemption via Form N-648, or if you prefer to submit original certified documents rather than scans. Mail your completed paper N-400 to the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox (for most states) or the USCIS Dallas Lockbox. Always check uscis.gov for the current correct mailing address before sending, as lockbox assignments change periodically.