N 300instr
N 300instr
N 300instr
USCIS
Department of Homeland Security Form N-300
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Form N-300, Application to File Declaration of Intention, enables you, a lawful permanent resident, to notify U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that you intend to become a citizen of the United States. USCIS does not
require that you file this application to become eligible for naturalization.
General Instructions
We provide free forms through the USCIS website. To view, print, or complete our forms, you should use the latest
version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not have Internet
access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center and ask that we mail a form to you.
Signature. You (or your signing authority) must properly complete your application. USCIS will not accept a stamped
or typewritten name in place of any signature on this application. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal
guardian may sign the application on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If
your application is not signed, or if the signature is not valid, we will reject your application. See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)
(A). If USCIS accepts a request for adjudication and determines that it has a deficient signature, USCIS may deny the
request.
Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original handwritten signature
as valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten ink
signature.
Filing Fee. See Form G-1055, available at www.uscis.gov/forms, for specific information about the fees applicable to
this form.
Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide biometrics
(fingerprints, photograph, and/or a signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and
conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau
of Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition. If we determine that a biometric services
appointment is necessary, we will send you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your appointment.
If you are currently overseas, your notice will instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office
outside the United States to schedule an appointment.
At your biometrics appointment, you must sign an oath reaffirming that:
1. You provided or authorized all information in the application;
2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your application; and
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of requested documents unless the Instructions specifically instruct you to
submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at any time during our process. If we request an
original document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs the original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when not required or requested, USCIS may destroy them after we receive
them.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English
translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and that
they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must also include their signature,
printed name, the signature date, and their contact information.
USCIS Contact Center. For additional information on the application and Instructions about where to file, change of
address, and other questions, visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter or call 800-375-5283 (TTY
800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
Specific Instructions
Item Number 1. Your Current Legal Name (Do not provide a nickname.). Your current legal name is the name on your
birth certificate unless it was changed after birth by a legal action such as a marriage or court order. Do not provide a
nickname.
Item Number 2. Other Names Used (if any). Provide all other names you have ever used, including aliases, maiden
name, and nicknames. If you need extra space, to complete this section, use the space provided in Part 5. Additional
Information.
Item Number 3. U.S. Social Security Number (if any). Provide your U.S. Social Security number. If you do not have a
U.S. Social Security number, type or print “N/A.”
Item Number 5. Date of Birth. Provide your date of birth in the mm/dd/yyyy format.
Item Number 6. Date You Became a Lawful Permanent Resident. Provide the official date when your lawful
permanent residence began, as shown on your Permanent Resident Card. Type or print the date in mm/dd/yyyy format.
For example, type or print August 9, 1988, as 08/09/1988. USCIS may reject your application if you do not provide
the information.
Item Number 7. Country of Birth. Provide the name of the country where you were born. Type or print the name of
the country even if the country’s name has since changed or the country no longer exists.
Item Number 8. Country of Citizenship or Nationality. Provide the name of the country where you are a citizen and/
or national. This is not necessarily the country where you were born. If you do not have citizenship in any country, type
or print “stateless” and provide an explanation in Part 5. Additional Information.
Item Number 9. Absence From the United States. Select the box that indicates if you have been absent for a period of
six months or longer since being admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident.
Item Number 10. Mailing Address. Provide the address where you would like to receive written correspondence
regarding your application.
Item Number 11. Physical Address. Provide your physical address if it is different from your mailing address.
NOTE: USCIS may not be able to contact you if you do not provide a complete and valid address. In addition, if USCIS
does reject your application, USCIS may not be able to return the fee paid in connection with your Form N-300 to you if
you do not provide a complete and valid address. If USCIS cannot return the filing fee, USCIS will cash your check.
We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed application for your records.
You must submit all evidence requested in these Instructions with your application. If you fail to submit required
evidence, USCIS may reject or deny your application in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(1) and these Instructions.
1. Copy of Permanent Resident Card
Submit a copy of the front and back of your Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card.) USCIS must be able to read
information provided on the copy.
2. Photographs
You must submit two identical color passport-style photographs of yourself taken recently. The photos must have a
white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched.
The photos must be 2 by 2 inches with full face, frontal view. Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from
top of your hair to bottom of your chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes
to the bottom of the photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious
denomination. Use a pencil or felt pen to lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photos.
Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/N-300 for the most current information about where to file this application.
Address Change
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must notify USCIS of your new address within 10 days of moving from your previous
residence. For information on changing your address, go to our website at www.uscis.gov/addresschange or call the
USCIS Contact Center.
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to the USCIS Lockbox.
Processing Information
Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your application, we will check it for completeness. If you do not properly
complete this application, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and we may reject or deny your application.
Requests for More Information. USCIS may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your
application. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If we request an original
document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it is no longer needed.
Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your application.
During your interview, USCIS may require you to provide your biometrics to verify your identity and/or update
background and security checks.
Decision. The decision on Form N-300 involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the
immigration benefit you are seeking. USCIS will notify you of our decision in writing.
To ensure you are using the latest version of this application, visit www.uscis.gov.
Penalties
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form N-300,
we will deny your application and may deny any other immigration benefit. In addition, you will face severe penalties
provided by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this benefit application, and the associated evidence, is collected under
the Immigration and Naturalization Act section 334.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide on this form is voluntary. However, certain states may require the
completion of this form prior to engaging in any business with you. Failure to complete this form does not make you
ineligible for USCIS benefits, but may prevent you from engaging in business with the state.
ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this form and additional requested evidence with
other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved
routine uses, as described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS-001 - Alien File, Index, and
National File Tracking System and DHS-USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System] and the published privacy impact
assessment [DHS/USCIS/PIA-003(a) Integrated Digitization Document Management Program], which you can find at
www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the
interest of national security.