5 Common Reasons Form N-400 Gets Denied

Failed the English and/or Civics Tests

If you fail the English and/or civics test in your initial interview, USCIS will schedule you to come back for another interview within 60 to 90 days days of your first interview. USCIS will only retest you on the part of the test that you failed. However, USCIS will deny your N-400 form if you fail the test(s) a second time.

Most people pass the tests. If your English isn’t strong, take advantage of the flash cards and study tools on How to Prepare for the Citizenship Test & Interview. It is also helpful to thoroughly review your own Application for Naturalization (N-400). The USCIS officer will most likely ask you about your answers. Be able to explain your answers. So practice with a friend or family member if your English skills need some work.

The law also provides three exemptions when taking the English portion of the naturalization test for applicants who:

• are age 50+ and have been permanent residents for at least 20 years;
• are age 55+ with not fewer than 15 years of permanent residence; or
• have a mental or physical disability that prevents them from learning English.

If you want to claim an exemption based on a disability, you will need to file USCIS Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, with your Form N-400. A licensed medical doctor or licensed clinical psychologist must sign the certification.

Criminal History

When applying for naturalization, USCIS will obtain your biometrics and run a criminal background check. But USCIS is also interested to know if you have committed a crime in other countries as well. These factors contribute to meeting the good moral character requirement. Some crimes will permanently bar a permanent resident from U.S. citizenship while other crimes create a temporary bar.

If you have ever been convicted of a murder or aggravated felony, you will most likely be permanently denied U.S. citizenship. These are automatic bars, meaning the USCIS officer has no discretion in the matter. Aggravated felonies in immigration law can be defined somewhat differently than they are by state courts. The immigration definition of aggravated felony can includes crimes that might surprise you, including some that other courts may classify as misdemeanors. For example, any crime of violence, or theft or burglary that resulted in a prison term of one year or more will be considered an aggravated felony. Volume 12, Chapter 4 of the USCIS Policy Manual describes permanent bars to the good moral character requirement.

On the other hand, some crimes make an applicant temporarily ineligible for U.S. citizenship. In most cases, the applicant can wait a required number of years — typically five years or three years for applicants married to and living with a U.S. citizen — before reapplying for naturalization. However the crime will still be reviewed by the USCIS officer, and the officer has the discretion to make a decision if the applicant meets the good moral character requirement. Volume 12, Chapter 5 of the USCIS Policy Manual describes these conditional bars to the good moral character requirement.

If you have ever been arrested, speak with an experienced immigration attorney before filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. You can’t avoid the problem. A criminal history will catch up to you even if you want to remain a permanent resident. (Read Renewing a Green Card After an Arrest.) Consult with an experienced attorney that can help review your record and potentially help with post-conviction relief.

Failure to Meet Continuous Residence and Physical Presence Requirements

As a permanent resident, you are free to travel outside the United States and visit family in your home country. If your goal is to become a U.S. citizen, it is important to understand the continuous residence and physical presence requirements.

Continuous residence means that the applicant has maintained residence within the United States for a specified period of time. Travel outside the United States can disrupt your continuous residence. You should avoid any trips abroad of six months or longer.

Physical presence means that the applicant has been physically present within the United States for a specified period of time over the previous five years. Generally, you must be have 30 months of physical presence in the U.S. before applying for naturalized citizenship. There are exceptions for applicants married to U.S. citizens and those working for the U.S. government overseas.

For a more complete explanation of these concepts, read Continuous Residence and Physical Presence Requirements.

Failure to Meet Financial Obligations

Many Americans, including permanent residents, are experiencing financial problems that have resulted in foreclosure, bankruptcy, and unpaid debts. The good news is that debt alone is not a bar to naturalization. However, there are some financial issues that affect the moral character requirement and could interfere with your ability to naturalize as a U.S. citizen.

Failure to pay taxes is a common reason to have a Form N-400 denied. If you let USCIS find this problem, you will likely be denied citizenship. Contact an immigration attorney and tax adviser that can help you develop a plan to pay the taxes and demonstrate to USCIS that you’re fixing the problem. By addressing the problem, most people can continue the naturalization process and avoid an N-400 denial.

Another common issue for N-400 applicants is the willful failure to support dependents. If an applicant for naturalization has a minor child or children who do not live with the applicant, it is necessary to prove that the applicant is providing adequate financial support. If there is a court order of support, it’s important to have evidence of compliance with that order. An applicant that fails to make timely child support payments could have the Form N-400 denied.

Fraud and Lying to USCIS

If USCIS believes that your answer to a question is deceptive or untrue, your Application for Naturalization will be delayed and could be denied. It doesn’t matter if the error was innocent. You must make sure that your application for naturalization is true and accurate when filed. If the information is difficult to obtain and you cannot obtain it (e.g. travel history), you must make a reasonable effort to find the answer.

During the naturalization process, USCIS will review your history. If the officer determines that a green card was issued (even many years before) in a fraudulent manner, citizenship may be denied. Likewise, other situations (new or old) that put the applicant’s good moral character in question will hold up the process.

Be honest with your answers. If you feel that an honest answer may create a problem with naturalization, that’s a good indicator that you need to speak to an attorney before filing Form N-400.