American Citizenship - Starting the process with the N-400

Wow, it has been a year since I finally got back on the paperwork for naturalization. Well, I hope you guys don't take so long. Let's get started! 

As I already pointed out in a previous post, there are several processes of which we will focus on naturalization after birth. This applies to legal permanent residents, people doing military service, or people with at least an American parent who was born and lives abroad.

In the following posts we will take on specifically the naturalization of legal permanent residents, let's get started! 

To get started we need the form N-400 which can be downloaded here, as well as the instructions. It is also convenient to read the FAQ from this Guide to Naturalization to solve any possible doubts.

To fill the N-400 you may want to have at hand the following information:
-Green Card (A number, name & date in which you started to be a resident)
-Social Security Number
-Where did you live the last 5 years
-Contact information
-Personal information: yours, your husband, and your kids
-Where did you work &/or study the last 5 years
-How many days have you been outside of the United States, and how many trips you did abroad in the last 5 years
With the N-400 you will have to send several documents. Those will depend on your personal situation. Here there is a list of such documents, as well as some worksheets that may help with any eligibility for naturalization questions

Whichever your situation is, there are 3 common documents required:
-A copy of the Green Card (front & back)
-Two passport pictures (more details on the 5th part of the guide of naturalization)
-A check or a money order with the fees for the process and the biometrics ($680 as per January 2016 - check the guide of naturalization and website to get the current value)

Once the N-400 formed is filled and printed, and the needed documents are prepared we are ready to move on to the next phase. Now, I always recommend keeping copies of all the documents you send as well as to include a cover letter with a list of everything you are sending.