10 N-400 Mistakes That Get Citizenship Applications Denied

When Immiva's founder was helping his family through their immigration paperwork, they'd already paid thousands in legal fees. The lawyers were supposed to handle everything. Yet when they reviewed the filings before submission, they found 76 mistakes and typos across the applications. From a paid professional.

That's the reality of a system so complicated that even experts get it wrong. And when you're filing Form N-400, the stakes couldn't be higher. This is your shot at U.S. citizenship—your right to vote, travel freely, and never worry about green card renewals again.

According to USCIS data, about 86,000 naturalization applications were denied in 2024 alone. That's roughly 1 in 10 applicants who walked away empty-handed—often because of preventable errors.

The good news? Most N-400 denials come from the same handful of mistakes.

1. Forgetting to Sign the Form

It sounds too simple to mess up. But forgetting your signature is one of the most common reasons USCIS rejects an N-400 outright—meaning they won't even look at your application until you fix it and refile.

USCIS is explicit: "We will reject any unsigned form." Your application gets sent back, your filing date resets, and you've lost weeks of processing time.

What to do: Before sealing that envelope, flip through every page. The form has multiple signature fields scattered throughout its 20+ pages.

2. Undisclosed Traffic Violations and Minor Arrests

The N-400 asks whether you've ever been "arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason."

Notice that word: ever. Not "in the last five years." Not "for serious crimes."

Many applicants assume a speeding ticket from a decade ago doesn't count. Or that since the DUI was expunged, it never happened. Wrong.

USCIS runs your fingerprints through FBI databases. They will find things you've forgotten. When your form says "no arrests" but their background check says otherwise, you've got a credibility problem. This is exactly what happens at your biometrics appointment—USCIS captures your fingerprints and runs them against federal databases.

What to do: When in doubt, disclose. Bring court records or proof of payment to your interview. An honest mistake is forgivable; hiding information is not.

3. Miscalculating Your Eligibility Date

You can file your N-400 up to 90 days before you meet the residency requirement—5 years as a green card holder (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen). Simple math, right?

Except applicants miscalculate this constantly. One applicant shared that after passing all the tests, the officer rejected their application because they'd filed one day too early.

USCIS doesn't do "close enough." If you're short by a single day, you're ineligible.

What to do: Use the USCIS eligibility calculator to confirm your earliest filing date. Add a few extra days as a buffer.

4. Incomplete Travel History

The N-400 asks you to list every trip outside the United States during the statutory period. Not just long ones. Every trip.

That weekend in Canada? The quick hop to Mexico? USCIS cares about all of it—and they can check through your passport stamps and I-94 records.

Missing trips makes you look careless or dishonest. Plus, trips over 6 months can break your continuous residence.

What to do: Gather your passports, pull your I-94 history from the CBP website, and cross-reference with calendar entries.

5. Using the Wrong Form Version or Incorrect Fees

USCIS updates forms regularly. Use an outdated version, and your application gets rejected.

The current N-400 filing fee is $760. And as of October 29, 2025, USCIS no longer accepts paper checks or money orders—you must pay electronically via ACH transfer (Form G-1650) or credit/debit card (Form G-1450).

What to do: Always download forms directly from USCIS.gov. Verify the current fee using the official fee schedule. For detailed payment instructions, read our guide on how to pay USCIS filing fees.

6. Failing the English or Civics Test

You get two chances to pass the English and civics exams. Fail both attempts, and your application is denied.

The civics test pulls from 100 questions—you'll answer 10 and need 6 correct. Some applicants walk in overconfident. Others don't prepare adequately. Either way, failure means starting over and repaying the filing fee.

What to do: USCIS offers free study materials. Many libraries offer free citizenship classes. If you're 65+ with 20+ years as a permanent resident, you qualify for a simplified test.

7. Tax Problems and Unpaid Child Support

The N-400 requires "good moral character" during the statutory period. Two things raise immediate red flags: unpaid taxes and failure to support dependents.

Debt alone isn't disqualifying. But willful failure to pay what you owe—especially to the IRS or your children—suggests you don't meet the moral character standard.

What to do: File any missing tax returns before applying. If you owe taxes, set up a payment plan and bring documentation. For child support, ensure payments are current.

8. Not Disclosing Criminal History (Even Expunged Records)

If your record was expunged, sealed, or dismissed, you might think it "doesn't exist" anymore. Not for immigration.

USCIS explicitly states you must disclose all criminal history, regardless of outcome. Expungement doesn't erase arrests from their databases. Your A-Number links all your immigration records together—and USCIS will cross-reference everything.

What to do: Get copies of all court records. Disclose everything. If you have criminal history, consider consulting an immigration attorney before filing.

9. Submitting Incomplete Applications or Missing Documents

Many applicants submit N-400s with blank fields, missing pages, or without required documents like green card copies, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees.

When USCIS receives an incomplete application, they'll issue a Request for Evidence—delaying your case by months—or reject it outright. With the current USCIS backlog, you can't afford additional delays.

What to do: Use the USCIS checklist for N-400 supporting documents. If documents aren't in English, include certified translations. For more on what to expect, check our Biometrics 101 guide.

10. Providing Inconsistent or Inaccurate Information

USCIS compares your N-400 against every prior application you've filed: green card petition, travel records, tax returns, employment history.

If your N-400 says you've lived at three addresses but your green card application listed four, that's a problem. Mismatched information looks fraudulent.

What to do: Before completing your N-400, pull copies of all prior immigration applications. Make sure your answers match or have reasonable explanations for changes.

Quick Takeaways

• Sign every required field—missing signatures cause immediate rejection
• Disclose all traffic violations and arrests, no matter how minor
• Calculate your eligibility date carefully—filing one day early can sink your case
• Document every trip abroad, even short ones
• Use current forms and electronic payment—checks are no longer accepted
• Prepare for the civics test—failing twice means denial
• Resolve tax and child support issues before applying

The Real Cost of N-400 Mistakes

An N-400 denial means losing your $760 filing fee, waiting months to reapply, and explaining the denial on future applications. In some cases, it triggers USCIS scrutiny that reopens old files or initiates removal proceedings.

Most mistakes are preventable. They happen because the N-400 is 20 pages of legal language and gotcha questions. They happen because even paid professionals miss things—like the 76 errors Immiva's founder found after paying thousands in legal fees.

Immiva catches these errors before you submit—for $49.

Our platform walks you through every question in plain English, flags inconsistencies in real time, and calculates eligibility dates automatically.