USCIS published a new version of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, on April 1st, 2024. There are some significant changes and updates in the new form that applicants should pay attention to.
New Fees: The new filing fee for N-400 is $760. If the application is filed online, the fee is reduced to $710.
Gender: The new form included a new gender option of "Another Gender Identity", in addition to Male and Female.
Photographs: Passport photos are no longer required, except for applicants who reside outside the United States, including current members of the U.S. armed forces, their spouses, former members of the U.S. armed forces. These applicants must submit two identical color passport-style photographs of themselves taken recently.
Spousal Information: The new N-400 eliminated questions regarding former marriages of the applicant's spouse. Applicants must still provide documents regarding their current and former marriages, such as divorce judgment and death certificate. However, applicants do not have to provide detailed personal information of their spouse unless the application is based on three years of marital relationship with a United States citizen. These changes have made it easier for applicants to apply for naturalization, as many people do not keep detailed information of their former spouses.
Children's Information: Similarly, the new N-400 application only requests for information of applicant's children who are 18 or under. The previous version required information of all children of application, regardless of their age.
Social Security Update: If applicants would like the Social Security Administration (SSA) to issue them an original Social Security card or a replacement Social Security card and update their immigration status, they may do so by checking the appropriate boxes in the new N-400 form. It should be noted that, if an applicant wants a replacement card, he must enter the SSN from their current card in the application.
After USCIS approves the N-400 application and the applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance, USCIS will provide applicant's information to the SSA. The SSA will issue an original or replacement Social Security card to applicant. The SSA will also update applicant's immigration status to that of U.S. citizen. If you request a name change as part of Form N-400, USCIS will send your updated name to the SSA.
Name Change: The new N-400 form continues to allow applicants to apply for a formal name change. This is the most efficient way to achieve a legal name change in the United States. We encourage applicants to make any name changes during the naturalization process. Applying for a name change through the state court system can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
No comments:
Post a Comment