Before submitting your naturalization application, make sure you have all the required documents. Missing evidence is the number one cause of delays and Requests for Evidence (RFEs) during the naturalization process.
This guide covers all the additional evidence you need to provide with your Form N-400, whether you file online or by mail.
What documents should you send with your N-400?
First, let’s review the essential evidence. These are the documents you must send regardless of which eligibility path you choose.
Important: All documents must be in English.
If your records (like birth or divorce certificates) are in another language, you must include a certified translation with a signed statement from the translator.
1. Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
Obviously, your Form N-400 must be fully completed and signed. To make sure yours is perfect before sending it, check out our blog post, “How to Fill Out Form N-400.”
2. Proof of permanent resident status (Green Card)
You need to send a color photocopy of both the front and back of your Green Card. Make sure the card’s edges are clearly visible in the copy.
- Important: Never mail your original Green Card.
If you lost your card, you must send
- A copy of your Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card)
- A copy of the police report.
3. Proof of application fee payment
- If you file online, pay the N-400 fee through your USCIS account, and then upload the receipt with your documents.
- If you file by mail, include your original check or money order with your paperwork in the envelope. You can submit any of the following:
- A personal check (write your A-number on the back).
- A money order (write your A-number on the back).
- A completed Form G-1450 if you are paying by credit card.
Note: USCIS does not accept cash.
If you applied for a fee reduction or waiver, include one of these forms with your supporting documents.
- Form I-942: Request for Reduced Fee.
- Form I-912: Request for Fee Waiver.
4. Proof of identity
Send a color photocopy of a valid, government-issued photo ID that shows your signature. This can be:
- Your driver’s license.
- A state-issued ID.
5. Tax transcripts
Submit official tax transcripts for the last 5 years (or 3 years if filing through marriage).
If you owe taxes send:
- A signed agreement with the IRS or your local/state tax office.
- Proof of ongoing payments
What additional evidence should you provide for Form N-400 according to your situation?
We’ve covered the basics. However, this is not the complete list of evidence required for Form N-400.
Next, we will review the documents you need to include based on your case specifics or the legal category under which you are applying.
If you are married to a U.S. citizen (The 3-Year Rule)
If you are applying for naturalization based on your marriage to a U.S. citizen, you must prove that your relationship is legitimate (bona fide) under the 3-Year Rule.
Include the following additional evidence with your N-400:
Proof of your marriage and life together:
- Your marriage certificate.
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint tax returns
- A lease or mortgage in both names
- Shared insurance policies (health, auto, or life).
- Birth certificates of any children you have together.
Proof of your spouse’s U.S. citizenship:
You can send a copy of their:
- Naturalization certificate
- Citizenship certificate
- U.S. passport
- Birth certificate.
If either you or your spouse has been married before:
You must provide evidence that all previous marriages were legally dissolved.
- Divorce decrees.
- Annulment certificates.
- Death certificates.
If your spouse works abroad for a qualifying organization
In this case, you must provide the following documents to support your N-400 application:
- Official employment documents
- Travel orders
- A letter of intent stating that you plan to return to the U.S. together once the foreign assignment ends.
If you served in the U.S. military
You’ll need different documents depending on your military status.
- Form N-426 if you are currently serving.
- DD-214, NGB Form 22, or other discharge documents if you are no longer active.
- You may also need official military orders, if applicable.
- You will also need two passport-style photos if you live outside the U.S.
Important: If you served during a USCIS-recognized period of hostility, you don’t need to prove physical presence or continuous residence.
If you have a criminal or legal history you must submit this N-400 additional evidence
If there’s one thing that matters most in this process, it’s honesty. Lying or hiding something will only make things worse. In most cases, USCIS will discover the truth.
Depending on your situation, you should provide the following additional evidence with your N-400 form:
If you were arrested but not charged:
- Police report from the arrest
- Official court or agency statement confirming no charges were filed
If you were arrested and charged:
- Arrest reports
- Charging documents
- Court decisions, sentencing, and proof of compliance.
- Any additional evidence that helps explain the context of the case.
If you were convicted or participated in an alternative program (rehab, community service, etc.):
- Sentencing records
- Proof that you completed the program
- If you were given probation or deferred sentencing:
- Sentencing documents
- Proof that you completed your sentence (probation reports, etc.).
If you received a pardon or had your record sealed or expunged:
- A court order showing that the case was expunged, sealed, or vacated.
- Pardon letter (if applicable).
- An official court statement confirming that no record exists.
If you had traffic incidents:
- Only if the incident involved drugs or alcohol, led to an arrest, or caused serious injury.
If you have children living in the U.S. or abroad
- Bring the birth certificates of all your children.
If you have minor children who do not live with you:
You must provide proof that you are providing financial support. Acceptable forms of proof include:
- Child support agreements
- Cancelled checks or money order receipts.
- Notarized letters from the other parent confirming that you are up to date with payments are also accepted.
- State agency records.
If you spent significant time outside the U.S.
To show you haven’t abandoned your residence, especially after trips abroad, provide:
- Rent or mortgage receipts
- Pay stubs
- Bank or credit card statements showing regular transactions
- Vehicle insurance and registration records
- Passport stamps showing entries and exits
- IRS tax transcripts.
- Any other documents that prove your physical presence and ties to the U.S.
If you’re a male between 18 and 26 years old
As you may know, all males between 18 and 26 must register for Selective Service. Along with your citizenship application, include:
- Selective Service Status Information Letter
- If you did not register, include a written statement explaining why.
If you need legal assistance or a designated representative
- A court order appointing a legal guardian or substitute
- Evidence of custodial representation (school, hospital, IRS, or Social Security records).
- A notarized letter from family or others confirming the relationship and care
- Documentation of family ties (if the representative is not a legal guardian).
- Form N-648, if you cannot take the oath due to a medical disability.
If you’re applying under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
If you are a lawful permanent resident applying for naturalization under VAWA, you must include the following documents:
- Proof that your family member is a U.S. citizen (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate).
- Proof of your relationship to that U.S. citizen. Under VAWA, you can apply as a spouse, child, or parent. Acceptable documents include marriage or birth certificates.
- Provide evidence of physical or emotional abuse or mistreatment by your U.S. citizen relative.
Note: You do not need to be currently married or living with a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
Final tips for submitting your N-400 and additional evidence
There are two ways to submit your Form N-400 and additional evidence: online or by mail.
If you file by mail:
Send copies only. USCIS generally does not return original documents, so do not mail them. Keep your originals safe for your interview day.
Only mail them if you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) specifically asking for the originals.
If possible, use paper clips instead of staples. This makes it much easier for officers to manually scan your documents.
If you file online via MyUSCIS:
This is the fastest option, but the portal is very strict about file requirements. If the system cannot read your document, your case will stall.
You can use PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG files. While any of these work, we recommend combining your related documents into a single PDF.
The system does not accept Word documents (.doc), zipped folders (.zip), or password-protected files.
Each file must be under 12 MB. To ensure USCIS AI processes your documents correctly, always scan them at 300 DPI.