Sample Cover Letter to Include With Form N-400 Application for Citizenship

How to draft a letter to USCIS to accompany a naturalization application

By , J.D.

No law says you have to submit a cover letter along with your Form N-400 application for naturalized U.S. citizenship – but doing so is a good idea. It allows you to summarize what you are submitting to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and to alert the agency to any special aspects of your application.

If, for example, you will be reqesting a waiver of the English language or civics exam requirement due to your age, the cover letter is a good place to highlight this. Or, if you have a disability that requires special accommodations, the cover letter will help bring this to USCIS's attention. (Both issues are covered within the N-400 itself, but it never hurts to remind USCIS of important features in your case, so that the officer is prepared.)

Another advantage to preparing a cover letter is that it allows you to read it through one last time and make sure everything is included before you send your packet to USCIS!

(See Nolo's articles on "Application Process for Naturalized Citizenship" for more on this process.)

Cover Letter Template

[Your address]

[Today's date]

Re: A-number [Your eight- or nine-digit Alien Registration number, found on your green card]

Application for Naturalization

[Address of USCIS Service Center serving your geographic region, found on the N-400 page of the USCIS website]

Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed please find my application for naturalization, including the following items:

  • Form N-400
  • A [check or money order ] for the application and biometrics (fingerprint) fees, totaling $____ [check the website for the latest fee; or include Form I-912 requesting a fee waiver, if you are low income and in one of the categories of applicant type allowed to apply for a waiver; no fee is required if you are applying based on military service, but you will instead need to submit a completed, original Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service.]
  • Two identical color photos, with my name written in pencil on the back
  • A photocopy of my green card, front and back
  • [Any other needed documents; for example, to request a disability waiver of the U.S. citizenship test, you must submit Form N-648, completed by U.S. licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or clinical psychologist; or if you're a Jehovah's Witness asking to take a modified oath of allegiance, a letter from your church confirming your membership]

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    Very truly yours,

    [Sign your name]

    [Print your name]

    For More Information on Preparing a Naturalization Application

    If you find that this process is difficult to handle alone, get more advice from an experienced immigration attorney.

    Talk to a Lawyer

    Need a lawyer? Start here.

    How it Works

    1. Briefly tell us about your case
    2. Provide your contact information
    3. Choose attorneys to contact you
    NEED IMMIGRATION HELP ?

    Talk to an Immigration attorney.

    We've helped 85 clients find attorneys today.

    How It Works

    1. Briefly tell us about your case
    2. Provide your contact information
    3. Choose attorneys to contact you