Process to Apply for Citizenship

Individuals applying for citizenship must:

• have good English speaking, reading, and writing skills
• be a legal US resident for five years
• learn and study the answers to the 100 questions, which will be asked on the citizenship test

Application Process

1. Request a N 400 form from Senator Grassley's office.
   531 Commercial St.
   Office #210 Waterloo Building
   Waterloo, IA 50701
   319-232-6657

2. Complete the N 400 form.

3. Send the N 400 form, required pictures, and required fee to the address listed on the form. Pictures must be taken at a place approved to take passport photos.

4. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will send you a letter and assign a time for you to come for fingerprinting in Des Moines. Fingerprints are checked; sometimes they may have to be redone.

5. If there are pending legal violations, they must be cleared up before applying.

6. If your fingerprints are approved, you  will be sent a letter telling you when to come for the English speaking interview and English reading and writing test.

7. After the test, you will receive your results right away. If you didn't pass, you will be given options to retake the test.

8. If you pass the test, you will receive a letter telling you when and where to go to be sworn in as a citizen. This usually happens about twice a year in Cedar Rapids.