Received an N-400 RFE?
USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence when additional information is needed to determine whether a naturalization applicant satisfies the requirements for U.S. citizenship. The RFE should be reviewed together with the N-400, the naturalization interview, and the applicant's full immigration history.
Send Us Your N-400 RFEWhat does USCIS still need to decide?
Why does USCIS issue an N-400 RFE?
A USCIS officer may issue a written Request for Evidence when additional information is needed to make an accurate determination on a naturalization application.
The issue may arise from the documents filed with Form N-400, information disclosed during the naturalization examination, government records, prior immigration applications, travel history, criminal records, tax history, selective service information, or another matter relevant to eligibility.
The response should identify the precise naturalization requirement USCIS is evaluating and provide evidence directed to that issue rather than treating the RFE as a general request for additional favorable information.
What is USCIS asking you to prove?
Naturalization eligibility involves several independent requirements, and an RFE may concern one or several of them.
Criminal or Other Conduct
Arrests, convictions, probation, taxes, support obligations, false statements, immigration conduct, or other facts may cause USCIS to request additional records before completing the good moral character analysis.
Trips Outside the United States
Long or frequent absences may result in questions concerning continuous residence, physical presence, the applicant's actual residence, and other requirements applicable to the naturalization basis.
Underlying Green Card Eligibility
USCIS may examine whether the applicant was lawfully admitted for permanent residence and may review facts surrounding the original immigrant petition or adjustment or immigrant visa process.
Tax Filing or Payment Questions
USCIS may request tax transcripts, returns, payment arrangements, amended filings, or other records when tax history is relevant to the naturalization adjudication.
Child or Spousal Support
USCIS may seek court orders, payment records, proof of compliance, or other documentation when family-support obligations affect the naturalization analysis.
Additional Naturalization Requirements
The RFE may involve selective service, marital-union requirements, English or civics exceptions, disability documentation, attachment to the Constitution, or another requirement applicable to the applicant.
Use the deadline printed on the RFE.
An N-400 RFE should be addressed promptly.
USCIS's general evidence rules provide a maximum RFE response period of 12 weeks, or 84 days. The actual notice identifies the response deadline for the particular case.
USCIS regulations do not permit officers simply to grant additional time beyond the applicable RFE response period. Evidence that requires court records, tax records, foreign documents, certified translations, or other third-party records should therefore be identified early.
Follow the instructions and deadline on the actual USCIS notice.
How should an N-400 RFE be reviewed?
Identify the Naturalization Requirement
Determine whether USCIS is evaluating residence, physical presence, good moral character, lawful permanent residence, marital union, attachment, tax compliance, criminal history, or another requirement.
Review the N-400 and Interview Record
The RFE may result from information disclosed during the examination. Compare the notice with the filed application, documents brought to the interview, and any statements made to USCIS.
Review the Earlier Immigration Record
Where USCIS questions the applicant's original permanent residence or prior immigration history, obtain and review the relevant petitions, applications, government records, and prior statements.
Answer the Specific Evidence Request
Provide the requested records and explain how they resolve the eligibility issue rather than submitting documents without connecting them to the requirement USCIS is evaluating.
Consider What Happens If USCIS Denies the N-400
A naturalization denial generally has its own administrative review procedure through Form N-336. A serious RFE should therefore be answered with the possible later record in mind.
For detailed N-400 denial and naturalization guidance, visit NaturalizationDenial.com.
NaturalizationDenial.com contains our in-depth coverage of good moral character, continuous residence, lawful admission for permanent residence, constitutional and security issues, N-336 hearings, delayed naturalization cases, and federal court review.
N-400 RFE FAQs
Common questions after USCIS requests more evidence in a naturalization case.