US Services Guide: Citizenship and Immigration
This guide is a service for our community in the diaspora. The information below comes from official government websites; always confirm it on the USCIS website before you apply, because fees and procedures change. This page is not legal advice.
This information was last reviewed in October 2026.
Applying for US Citizenship (Form N-400)
- The form: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Official page: uscis.gov/n-400.
- Filing: you can file online through a myUSCIS account, or on paper by mail. The mailing address depends on your state and is listed on the form’s page on the USCIS website.
- Fees (as of October 2026): $710 to file online, $760 to file on paper. Applicants with household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may pay a reduced fee ($380, paper filing only), and eligible applicants may request a full fee waiver with Form I-912. Military applicants filing under sections 328 and 329 pay no fee.
- Check your fee: the official USCIS fee calculator.
In June 2026 the Department of Homeland Security proposed raising the N-400 fee and ending the reduced fee and fee waivers; no final rule had been published as of October 2026. Confirm the current fee on the USCIS website before paying.
The Naturalization Test
At your naturalization interview, a USCIS officer tests your ability to read, write and speak English (unless you are exempt), and then asks you civics questions (history and government) orally.
- Reading: read one of three sentences correctly.
- Writing: write one of three sentences correctly.
- Speaking: judged from your answers to the officer’s questions about your Form N-400.
The Civics Questions: Which Version Applies to You?
The version is set by the date you filed your application, not your interview date:
| N-400 filed | Version | Questions on the list | Asked at the interview | To pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On or after 20 October 2025 | 2025 version | 128 | Up to 20 | 12 correct |
| Before 20 October 2025 | 2008 version | 100 | Up to 10 | 6 correct |
- The 128 civics questions and answers (2025 version), official PDF
- Official study materials for the naturalization test
- If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more, you may study only the questions marked with an asterisk (*).
Printable 2008-Version Questions (for applications filed before 20 October 2025)
- Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test, English (PDF)
- Civics questions, history and government, Arabic (PDF)
- Civics questions for the 65/20 exemption, Arabic (PDF)
The USCIS Contact Center
- Toll-free: 1-800-375-5283
- TTY (deaf or hard of hearing): 1-800-767-1833
- Service in English and Spanish. Outside the United States, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate.
- The official Contact Center page
Making an Appointment at a USCIS Office
The old InfoPass system has been discontinued. To request an appointment at a field office, call the Contact Center at the number above; the agent will schedule an appointment if one is needed.
Checking Your Case Status
- Case Status Online, using your receipt number
- Or through your myUSCIS account.
USCIS Forms Are Free
All USCIS forms are free; do not pay any website to download them: all forms from the official site.
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
- Entering the lottery is free, and entries are accepted only on the one official website: dvprogram.state.gov.
- Instructions and dates for each program year are published by the US Department of State.
- Beware of websites and messages that ask for money to enter or claim that you have won.
See Also
Sources
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): uscis.gov
- U.S. Department of State: travel.state.gov
Last updated: October 18, 2026