N300 is the short name for Form N-300, Application to File Declaration of Intention, the form U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses to record that a lawful permanent resident intends to become a U.S. citizen. It is for permanent residents over 18 who live in the United States. You can fill out Form N-300 online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and its instructions are published by USCIS, and the application is filed through the USCIS Dallas Lockbox.
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What is Form N-300?
Form N-300, Application to File Declaration of Intention, is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form that lets a lawful permanent resident notify USCIS of the intention to become a citizen of the United States.
Filing it is not a step toward eligibility: the USCIS instructions state that USCIS does not require this application for you to become eligible for naturalization. The USCIS page for the form adds that some states may require it if you wish to conduct certain business with that state.
The form has six parts. Part 1 collects information about you, Part 2 holds your statement, contact information, declaration, certification and signature, Part 3 is for an interpreter, Part 4 is for a preparer other than you, and Part 5 gives extra space for additional information. Part 6 is the Declaration of Intention itself: you complete and sign it, and a photograph is affixed to it. If the application is approved, USCIS returns the original Declaration of Intention page to you and keeps a copy in your file.
The form is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document; the edition printed on it is 04/01/24.
Who needs to file Form N-300?
You may file Form N-300 if you are a lawful permanent resident over 18 years of age and you currently live in the United States under a lawful admission for permanent residence. You must file it while in the United States, and you must have a U.S. address.
Filing is optional for naturalization purposes. People who may want it include permanent residents who want to put their intention on record, and those who live or do business in a state that requires the declaration.
Who may sign:
- You sign your own application.
- If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal guardian may sign for you. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person.
- An attorney or accredited representative may help you. That representative may need to submit Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, with your application.
An interpreter who read the form to you must complete Part 3, and anyone other than you who prepared the application must complete Part 4. Both must sign and date.
When to file Form N-300
File Form N-300 whenever you, as a lawful permanent resident over 18, decide to declare your intention to become a citizen, or when a state requires the declaration before you do business there. Neither the form nor the USCIS instructions set a deadline, and USCIS does not require the application in order for you to be eligible for naturalization.
You must file while you are in the United States. After you file, USCIS may ask for more information or evidence, may ask for originals of copies you sent, may call you to an interview, and may require you to attend a biometrics appointment. USCIS notifies you of its decision in writing. If you miss the biometrics appointment, USCIS may deny your application.
Documents you need
- A copy of the front and back of your Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card); USCIS must be able to read the information on the copy.
- Two identical, recent color passport-style photographs, 2 by 2 inches, full face and frontal view, white to off-white background, glossy thin paper, unmounted and unretouched.
- A full English translation of any document in a foreign language, with the translator's signed certification that it is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate; it must include the translator's printed name, signature date and contact information.
- Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, when an attorney or accredited representative represents you; select the box at the top of Form N-300.
- Payment of the filing fee; see Form G-1055 or the USCIS Fee Schedule for the amount.
How to fill out Form N-300
Add your A-Number and representative
At the top, enter your 9-digit A-Number after "A-". If an attorney or accredited representative helps you, select the Form G-28 box and complete the representative block.
Enter your legal and other names
Part 1, Item 1: your current legal name, with no nickname. Item 2: every other name you have used, including aliases, maiden name and nicknames; use Part 5 if you need more space.
Provide identifying numbers and dates
Items 3 to 5: Social Security number (or "N/A"), USCIS Online Account Number if you have one, and date of birth as mm/dd/yyyy. Item 6: the date you became a lawful permanent resident, as shown on your Permanent Resident Card.
Give birth, citizenship and absences
Items 7 and 8: country of birth and country of citizenship or nationality ("stateless" with an explanation in Part 5 if none). Item 9: select Yes or No for absences of six months or longer, and list the dates in Part 5 if Yes.
Enter mailing and physical addresses
Item 10: the address where you want USCIS correspondence. Item 11: your physical address if different; do not use a P.O. Box unless it is your only address.
Complete the applicant's statement
Part 2, Item 1: select A if you read English yourself, or B and name the language if an interpreter read it to you. Select Item 2 if a preparer helped you, then add telephone numbers and email in Items 3 to 5.
Sign Part 2
Item 6: sign by hand in ink and enter the date as mm/dd/yyyy. A stamped or typewritten name is not accepted.
Complete interpreter and preparer parts
If an interpreter was used, Part 3 collects name, address, contact details, certification and signature. If anyone other than you prepared the form, Part 4 does the same and the preparer states whether they are an attorney or accredited representative.
Use Part 5 for extra information
Write your name and A-Number, then the page, part and item number each answer refers to. Sign and date every additional sheet.
Review the Declaration of Intention
Part 6 repeats your Part 1 details, and when you complete the form on a computer they prepopulate; check each one. Add the other telephone numbers requested.
Sign Part 6 and attach photographs
Item 15: sign the declaration; USCIS rejects the form if it is not signed. Item 16 is for the USCIS officer. Attach your two photographs as the instructions direct, with your name and A-Number lightly printed on the back.
Review, download and assemble
Check every part, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and keep a copy. Assemble the package with the Permanent Resident Card copy, photographs and fee as described under How to submit.
How to submit Form N-300
You file Form N-300 by mail with the USCIS Dallas Lockbox, using the U.S. Postal Service or a private delivery service. The USCIS instructions point to www.uscis.gov/N-300 for the most current filing information.
- U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS, Attn: N-300, P.O. Box 650809, Dallas, TX 75265-0809.
- FedEx, UPS and DHL deliveries: USCIS, Attn: N-300 (Box 650809), 2501 S State Hwy 121 Business, Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067-8003.
Include the signed application, a copy of your Permanent Resident Card, two passport-style photographs and the filing fee. A filing fee applies; see Form G-1055 or the USCIS Fee Schedule page for the current amount. USCIS accepts a photocopy, fax or scan of an original application that bears a handwritten ink signature. If you print the form, every page must show the edition date and page number and come from the same edition, or USCIS may reject it. Do not send the checklist from the USCIS page, and do not send a change of address request to the Lockbox. For questions, call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the form unsigned, or typing or stamping a name in place of a handwritten signature; USCIS rejects an application that is not signed.
- Leaving the 9-digit A-Number blank at the top of Part 1; USCIS rejects the form if it is missing.
- Omitting the interpreter's signature in Part 3 or the preparer's signature in Part 4 when someone helped you; USCIS rejects the form without them.
- Not entering the date you became a lawful permanent resident on Item Number 6 exactly as shown on your Permanent Resident Card in mm/dd/yyyy format; USCIS may reject the application.
- Leaving non-applicable items blank instead of typing or printing "N/A", or "None" for a numeric answer of zero.
- Giving a P.O. Box as the physical address in Part 1, Item Number 11 (or Part 6, Item 9) when you have another address.
- Printing the form with missing pages or pages from different editions; USCIS may reject it.
- Sending original documents, such as your Permanent Resident Card, when the instructions ask only for copies; USCIS may destroy originals sent when not required.
- Submitting the optional checklist from the USCIS page with the application, or mailing it to the wrong address.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form N-300 used for?
Form N-300, Application to File Declaration of Intention, lets a lawful permanent resident notify USCIS of the intention to become a U.S. citizen. USCIS does not require it for you to be eligible for naturalization, though some states may require it for certain business.
Do I need to file an N300 before applying for citizenship?
No. The USCIS instructions say USCIS does not require this application to become eligible for naturalization. The USCIS page notes that some states may require it if you want to conduct certain business with that state.
Who is eligible to file Form N-300?
You may file if you are a lawful permanent resident over 18 years of age and currently reside in the United States under a lawful admission for permanent residence. You must file while in the United States and have a U.S. address.
Where do I mail Form N-300?
Mail it to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox: USCIS, Attn: N-300, P.O. Box 650809, Dallas, TX 75265-0809 for USPS. FedEx, UPS and DHL use USCIS, Attn: N-300 (Box 650809), 2501 S State Hwy 121 Business, Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067-8003.
What documents do I send with Form N-300?
Send a copy of the front and back of your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) and two identical passport-style color photographs. Add a certified English translation for any foreign-language document, and Form G-28 if a representative acts for you.
Is there a fee for Form N-300?
Yes, a filing fee applies. The instructions refer to Form G-1055 and the USCIS Fee Schedule page for the current amount. If USCIS rejects your application and cannot return the fee for lack of a valid address, it will cash your check.
Can I fill out Form N300 online?
You can fill out the N-300 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. The USCIS instructions say Part 6 prepopulates from Part 1 when you complete it on a computer. FillingPDF does not file it; you send it to USCIS by mail.
What happens if I forget to sign Form N-300?
USCIS will reject an unsigned form. The signature must be handwritten; a stamped or typewritten name is not accepted. A photocopy, fax or scan of the original with a handwritten ink signature is valid for filing. Interpreters and preparers must sign too.
Do I get the Declaration of Intention back?
If USCIS approves the application, it returns the original Declaration of Intention page (Part 6) to you and keeps a copy in your file. USCIS will notify you of its decision in writing.
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