Required initial evidence:

• Your permanent resident card (or a copy of front and back) (expired is ok in MOST jurisdictions, including Chicago);
• Your marriage certificate;
• All divorce certificates for you and your spouse;

Other considerations:

• International travel:
  • You must not have been outside the United States for more than half of the time required to apply to naturalize;
  • You must not have not traveled out of the United States for more than six months at any time since becoming a resident;
    • 18 months total for three-year applications;
    • 30 months total for five-year applications;
• Overdue taxes;
• Outstanding child support payments;
• Accidentally voting or registering to vote in a United States election;
• Registration for the Selective Service of men who lived in the United States during the ages 18 to 26 (even if undocumented)
• Controlled substances:
  • Marijuana is still federally illegal and even the casual use of it makes you inadmissible! Stay away from it until you naturalize!
• Arrests (make sure to submit photocopies of the following items with your application and bring the official versions with you to your interview):
  • Certified dispositions of all arrests – even from before becoming a lawful permanent resident;
  • Expunged arrests must be temporarily unsealed to get disposition;
  • Minor traffic infractions (speeding, running red lights, parking) do not require certified dispositions;

I-912, Request for Fee Waiver:

• Individuals earning less than 150% of the poverty level each year qualify for a waiver of 100% of the naturalization application government fee;
• Check the I-912P to determine how little you must make yearly based on your household size;
• Use the “total income” section on your most recent tax return to see if you qualify;