The N-400 yes-or-no questions (Part 9), explained

Was your mother or father (including adoptive mother or father) a U.S. citizen before your 18th birthday?

In plain English: Were your parents U.S. citizens before you turned 18?

You may hear: Is your mom or dad a U.S. citizen? · Did your parents become citizens before you were 18? · Are your parents American citizens?

N-400 Part 2, item 10

Do you have a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment that prevents you from demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of the English language or civics requirements for naturalization?

In plain English: Do you have a health problem that stops you from learning English or civics?

You may hear: Do you have a disability that makes it hard to take the test? · Did you file a medical waiver, an N-648? · Is there a medical reason you can't take the test?

N-400 Part 2, item 11

If you are currently married, is your spouse a current member of the U.S. armed forces?

In plain English: Is your husband or wife in the U.S. military now?

You may hear: Is your spouse in the military? · Does your husband serve in the Army, Navy, anything like that?

N-400 Part 5, item 2

Have you EVER claimed to be a U.S. citizen (in writing or any other way)?

In plain English: Did you ever say you are a U.S. citizen?

You may hear: Have you ever said you were an American citizen? · Did you ever check the 'U.S. citizen' box on a form? · Have you ever pretended to be a citizen? · Ever told anyone you were a citizen?

N-400 Part 9, item 1

Have you EVER registered to vote or voted in any Federal, state, or local election in the United States? If you lawfully voted only in a local election where aliens are eligible to vote, you may answer “No.”

In plain English: Did you ever sign up to vote, or vote, in the United States?

You may hear: Have you ever voted in this country? · Are you registered to vote? · Did you ever vote for president or for anything here? · Have you ever signed up to vote, maybe at the DMV?

N-400 Part 9, item 2

Do you currently owe any overdue Federal, state, or local taxes in the United States?

In plain English: Do you owe taxes now that are late?

You may hear: Do you owe the IRS any money? · Are you behind on your taxes? · Do you have any unpaid taxes? · Do you owe any back taxes?

N-400 Part 9, item 3

Since you became a lawful permanent resident, have you called yourself a “nonresident alien” on a Federal, state, or local tax return or decided not to file a tax return because you considered yourself to be a nonresident?

In plain English: Since you got your green card, did you ever say on your taxes that you don't live here? Or did you skip filing taxes because you thought you didn't live here?

You may hear: Have you ever filed taxes as a nonresident? · Since you got your green card, have you always filed your taxes? · Did you ever not file taxes because you were living outside the U.S.?

N-400 Part 9, item 4

Have you EVER been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with any Communist or totalitarian party anywhere in the world?

In plain English: Were you ever part of a Communist party, or a party that wants total control of a country?

You may hear: Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? · Were you ever in a communist or totalitarian party? · Did you ever belong to a Communist group, anywhere?

N-400 Part 9, item 5.a

Have you EVER advocated (supported and promoted) any of the following, or been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with any group anywhere in the world that advocated any of the following: the overthrow by force or violence or other unconstitutional means of the Government of the United States or all forms of law; opposition to all organized government; world communism; the establishment in the United States of a totalitarian dictatorship; the unlawful assaulting or killing of any officer or officers of the Government of the United States or of any other organized government because of their official character; the unlawful damage, injury, or destruction of property; or sabotage?

In plain English: Did you ever support a group that wants to take down the U.S. government by force, attack government workers, or destroy property?

You may hear: Have you ever supported overthrowing the government? · Were you ever in a group that wanted to destroy the government? · Have you ever supported violence against the government? · Did you ever support sabotage?

N-400 Part 9, item 5.b

Have you EVER been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with, or have you EVER provided money, a thing of value, services or labor, or any other assistance or support to a group that used a weapon or explosive with intent to harm another person or cause damage to property?

In plain English: Were you ever part of a group, or did you ever help a group, that used guns or bombs to hurt people or break things?

You may hear: Have you ever been part of a terrorist group? · Did you ever give money to a group that used weapons or bombs? · Have you ever helped a violent group?

N-400 Part 9, item 6.a

Have you EVER been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with, or have you EVER provided money, a thing of value, services or labor, or any other assistance or support to a group that engaged (participated) in kidnapping, assassination, or hijacking or sabotage of an airplane, ship, vehicle, or other mode of transportation?

In plain English: Were you ever part of a group, or did you ever help a group, that kidnapped people, killed leaders, or took over planes, ships, or cars?

You may hear: Did you ever help a group that kidnapped people? · Have you ever been part of a group that hijacked a plane or a bus? · Were you ever involved with kidnappings?

N-400 Part 9, item 6.b

Have you EVER been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with, or have you EVER provided money, a thing of value, services or labor, or any other assistance or support to a group that threatened, attempted (tried), conspired (planned with others), prepared, planned, advocated for, or incited (encouraged) others to commit any of the acts listed in Item Numbers 6.a. or 6.b.?

In plain English: Were you ever part of a group, or did you ever help a group, that planned, tried, or told others to do those violent things?

You may hear: Did you ever help a group that planned attacks? · Were you ever in a group that threatened to use bombs or weapons? · Have you ever encouraged people to do violent things?

N-400 Part 9, item 6.c

Were you EVER a part of any group, or did you EVER help any group, unit, or organization that used a weapon against any person, or threatened to do so?

In plain English: Were you ever part of a group, or did you help a group, that used a weapon against people or threatened to?

You may hear: Were you ever in a group that used weapons against people? · Did you ever help a group that threatened people with guns? · Have you ever been in a gang?

N-400 Part 9, item 10.a

If you answered “Yes” to Item Number 10.a., when you were part of this group, or when you helped this group, did you ever use a weapon against another person?

In plain English: When you were in that group, did YOU use a weapon against a person?

You may hear: Did you yourself ever use a weapon against someone? · Did you ever shoot at anyone?

N-400 Part 9, item 10.b

If you answered “Yes” to Item Number 10.a., when you were part of this group, or when you helped this group, did you ever threaten another person that you would use a weapon against that person?

In plain English: When you were in that group, did YOU threaten to use a weapon against a person?

You may hear: Did you ever threaten someone with a weapon? · Did you ever tell someone you would hurt them with a gun?

N-400 Part 9, item 10.c

Have you EVER sold, provided, or transported weapons, or assisted any person in selling, providing, or transporting weapons, which you knew or believed would be used against another person?

In plain English: Did you ever sell, give, or move weapons that you knew would be used to hurt people?

You may hear: Have you ever sold guns? · Did you ever move weapons for someone? · Have you ever helped someone get weapons to hurt people?

N-400 Part 9, item 11

Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in torture?

In plain English: Did you ever hurt someone very badly on purpose to punish them or make them talk, or help someone do it?

You may hear: Have you ever tortured anyone? · Did you ever help torture someone? · Have you ever ordered someone to be tortured?

N-400 Part 9, item 7.a

Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in genocide?

In plain English: Did you ever help kill a whole group of people because of their race, religion, or country?

You may hear: Have you ever participated in genocide? · Have you ever been involved in genocide? · Do you know what genocide means?

N-400 Part 9, item 7.b

Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in killing or trying to kill any person?

In plain English: Did you ever kill or try to kill a person, or help someone do it?

You may hear: Have you ever killed anyone? · Did you ever try to kill someone? · Have you ever helped someone kill a person?

N-400 Part 9, item 7.c

Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in intentionally and severely injuring or trying to injure any person?

In plain English: Did you ever hurt someone badly on purpose, or try to?

You may hear: Have you ever seriously hurt someone on purpose? · Did you ever badly injure anyone? · Have you ever hurt someone in a fight?

N-400 Part 9, item 7.d

Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any kind of sexual contact or activity with any person who did not consent (did not agree) or was unable to consent (could not agree), or was being forced or threatened by you or by someone else?

In plain English: Did you ever have sexual contact with someone who did not agree or could not agree?

You may hear: Have you ever forced anyone to have sex? · Have you ever had sexual contact with someone who didn't agree? · Did you ever sexually assault anyone?

N-400 Part 9, item 7.e

Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in not letting someone practice his or her religion?

In plain English: Did you ever stop someone from practicing their religion?

You may hear: Have you ever stopped people from going to church? · Did you ever keep someone from practicing their religion? · Have you ever punished someone for their religion?

N-400 Part 9, item 7.f

Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in causing harm or suffering to any person because of his or her race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion?

In plain English: Did you ever hurt someone because of their race, religion, country, group, or politics?

You may hear: Have you ever persecuted anyone? · Did you ever hurt someone because of their religion or politics? · Have you ever harmed people because of their race?

N-400 Part 9, item 7.g

Have you EVER served in, been a member of, assisted (helped), or participated in any military or police unit?

In plain English: Were you ever in the army or the police, in any country?

You may hear: Have you ever been in the military? · Did you serve in the army in your country? · Were you ever a police officer? · Did you ever do military service?

N-400 Part 9, item 8.a

Have you EVER served in, been a member of, assisted (helped), or participated in any armed group (a group that carries weapons), for example: paramilitary unit (a group of people who act like a military group but are not part of the official military), self-defense unit, vigilante unit, rebel group, or guerrilla group?

In plain English: Were you ever in, or did you help, a group with guns that is not the real army? Like rebels, guerrillas, or a self-defense group?

You may hear: Were you ever in a paramilitary group? · Have you ever been part of a rebel or guerrilla group? · Were you ever in a militia or self-defense group? · Did you ever help an armed group?

N-400 Part 9, item 8.b

Have you EVER worked, volunteered, or otherwise served in a place where people were detained (forced to stay), for example, a prison, jail, prison camp (a camp where prisoners of war or political prisoners are kept), detention facility, or labor camp, or have you EVER directed or participated in any other activity that involved detaining people?

In plain English: Did you ever work in a jail or prison, or any place where people were locked up?

You may hear: Have you ever worked in a prison or a jail? · Did you ever work where people were held against their will? · Have you ever been a guard? · Did you ever help keep people locked up?

N-400 Part 9, item 9

Have you EVER received any weapons training, paramilitary training, or other military-type training?

In plain English: Did anyone ever teach you how to use a gun or how to fight like a soldier?

You may hear: Have you ever had weapons training? · Did you ever learn how to use a gun? · Have you had any military training?

N-400 Part 9, item 12

Have you EVER recruited (asked), enlisted (signed up), conscripted (required to join), or used any person under 15 years of age to serve in or help an armed group, or attempted or worked with others to do so?

In plain English: Did you ever get a child under 15 to join or help a group with weapons?

You may hear: Have you ever recruited children for an armed group? · Did you ever use kids under 15 in a military group? · Have you ever used child soldiers?

N-400 Part 9, item 13

Have you EVER used any person under 15 years of age to take part in hostilities or attempted or worked with others to do so? This could include participating in combat or providing services related to combat (such as serving as a messenger or transporting supplies).

In plain English: Did you ever use a child under 15 in a war or fighting, even to carry messages or supplies?

You may hear: Have you ever used children in a war? · Did you ever make kids under 15 help in fighting?

N-400 Part 9, item 14

Have you EVER committed, agreed to commit, asked someone else to commit, helped commit, or tried to commit a crime or offense for which you were NOT arrested?

In plain English: Did you ever break the law, and the police did NOT catch or arrest you?

You may hear: Have you ever committed a crime and not been arrested? · Have you ever done anything illegal? · Did you ever break any law, even if nobody caught you? · Have you ever committed a crime for which you were not arrested?

N-400 Part 9, item 15.a

Have you EVER been arrested, cited, detained or confined by any law enforcement officer, military official (in the U.S. or elsewhere), or immigration official for any reason, or been charged with a crime or offense?

In plain English: Did the police, the military, or immigration ever stop you, give you a ticket, hold you, or arrest you, anywhere, for any reason?

You may hear: Have you ever been arrested? · Have you ever been in trouble with the police? · Have you ever gotten a ticket or been arrested? · Were you ever detained by immigration or at the border?

N-400 Part 9, item 15.b

If you received a suspended sentence, were placed on probation, or were paroled, have you completed your suspended sentence, probation, or parole?

In plain English: If a judge gave you probation, parole, or a suspended sentence, is it finished now?

You may hear: Are you on probation now? · Did you finish your probation? · Are you still on parole?

N-400 Part 9, item 16

Have you EVER engaged in prostitution, attempted to procure or import prostitutes or persons for the purpose of prostitution, or received any proceeds or money from prostitution?

In plain English: Did you ever sell sex, find people to sell sex, or get money from it?

You may hear: Have you ever been a prostitute? · Did you ever get money from prostitution? · Have you ever paid someone for sex? · Have you ever been involved in prostitution?

N-400 Part 9, item 17.a

Have you EVER manufactured, cultivated, produced, distributed, dispensed, sold, or smuggled (trafficked) any controlled substances, illegal drugs, narcotics, or drug paraphernalia in violation of any law or regulation of a U.S. state, the United States, or a foreign country?

In plain English: Did you ever make, grow, sell, give, or move illegal drugs?

You may hear: Have you ever sold drugs? · Did you ever grow or sell marijuana? · Have you ever been involved with drugs? · Have you ever used illegal drugs?

N-400 Part 9, item 17.b

Have you EVER married someone in order to obtain an immigration benefit?

In plain English: Did you ever marry someone just to get papers?

You may hear: Did you marry just to get a green card? · Was your marriage only for immigration? · Have you ever married someone for papers?

N-400 Part 9, item 17.c

Have you EVER been married to more than one person at the same time?

In plain English: Were you ever married to two people at the same time?

You may hear: Have you ever had two husbands or two wives at the same time? · Were you ever married to two people at once? · Have you ever practiced polygamy?

N-400 Part 9, item 17.d

Have you EVER helped anyone to enter, or try to enter, the United States illegally?

In plain English: Did you ever help someone come into the U.S. without permission?

You may hear: Have you ever helped someone cross the border illegally? · Did you ever bring someone into the country illegally? · Have you ever smuggled anyone into the U.S.? · Did you ever pay a coyote for someone?

N-400 Part 9, item 17.e

Have you EVER gambled illegally or received income from illegal gambling?

In plain English: Did you ever bet money in an illegal way, or make money from illegal betting?

You may hear: Have you ever gambled illegally? · Did you ever make money from illegal gambling? · Have you ever bet money where it's not allowed?

N-400 Part 9, item 17.f

Have you EVER failed to support your dependents (pay child support) or to pay alimony (court-ordered financial support after divorce or separation)?

In plain English: Did you ever not pay child support, or not pay money a judge told you to pay to your ex?

You may hear: Do you pay child support? · Have you ever not supported your children? · Did you ever miss child support payments? · Do you owe child support?

N-400 Part 9, item 17.g

Have you EVER made any misrepresentation to obtain any public benefit in the United States?

In plain English: Did you ever lie to get government help, like food stamps or Medicaid?

You may hear: Have you ever lied to get welfare? · Did you ever give false information to get public benefits? · Have you ever lied to get food stamps?

N-400 Part 9, item 17.h

Have you EVER given any U.S. Government officials any information or documentation that was false, fraudulent, or misleading?

In plain English: Did you ever give the U.S. government false papers or wrong information?

You may hear: Have you ever given false documents to the government? · Have you ever used fake papers? · Did you ever give wrong information to the U.S. government?

N-400 Part 9, item 18

Have you EVER lied to any U.S. Government officials to gain entry or admission into the United States or to gain immigration benefits while in the United States?

In plain English: Did you ever lie to the U.S. government to come into the country or to get immigration papers?

You may hear: Have you ever lied to immigration? · Did you ever lie to get into the United States? · Have you ever lied to get a visa or a green card?

N-400 Part 9, item 19

Have you EVER been removed or deported from the United States?

In plain English: Did the U.S. government ever send you out of the country?

You may hear: Have you ever been deported? · Were you ever sent back to your country? · Have you ever been removed from the U.S.?

N-400 Part 9, item 20

Have you EVER been placed in removal, rescission, or deportation proceedings?

In plain English: Did you ever have a case in immigration court?

You may hear: Have you ever been in immigration court? · Were you ever in deportation proceedings? · Did you ever have to see an immigration judge?

N-400 Part 9, item 21

Are you a male who lived in the United States at any time between your 18th and 26th birthdays? (Do not select “Yes” if you were a lawful nonimmigrant for all of that time period.)

In plain English: Are you a man who lived in the U.S. when you were 18 to 25 years old?

You may hear: Did you live here between 18 and 26? · Are you a man, and were you in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 26? · How old were you when you came to the U.S.?

N-400 Part 9, item 22.a

If you answered “Yes,” to Item Number 22.a., did you register for the Selective Service?

In plain English: Did you sign up for Selective Service?

You may hear: Did you register for Selective Service? · Did you sign up for the draft? · Do you have your Selective Service number?

N-400 Part 9, item 22.b

Have you EVER left the United States to avoid being drafted in the U.S. armed forces?

In plain English: Did you ever leave the U.S. so the army could not make you join?

You may hear: Did you ever leave the country to avoid the draft? · Have you ever left the U.S. so you wouldn't have to join the military?

N-400 Part 9, item 23

Have you EVER applied for any kind of exemption from military service in the U.S. armed forces?

In plain English: Did you ever ask to be excused from the U.S. military?

You may hear: Have you ever asked not to serve in the military? · Did you ever apply for an exemption from military service?

N-400 Part 9, item 24

Have you EVER served in the U.S. armed forces?

In plain English: Were you ever in the U.S. military?

You may hear: Have you ever been in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines? · Did you serve in the U.S. military? · Are you a veteran?

N-400 Part 9, item 25

Are you currently a member of the U.S. armed forces?

In plain English: Are you in the U.S. military now?

You may hear: Are you on active duty? · Are you serving now?

N-400 Part 9, item 26.a

If you answered “Yes” to Item Number 26.a., are you scheduled to deploy outside the United States, including to a vessel, within the next 3 months?

In plain English: Will the military send you outside the U.S., or to a ship, in the next 3 months?

You may hear: Are you deploying soon? · Are you going overseas in the next three months?

N-400 Part 9, item 26.b

If you answered “Yes,” to Item Number 26.a., are you currently stationed outside the United States?

In plain English: Do you work for the military outside the U.S. right now?

You may hear: Are you stationed overseas? · Is your base outside the U.S.?

N-400 Part 9, item 26.c

If you answered “No” to Item Number 26.a., are you a former U.S. military service member who is currently residing outside of the U.S.?

In plain English: Were you in the U.S. military before, and do you live outside the U.S. now?

You may hear: Are you a veteran living abroad?

N-400 Part 9, item 26.d

Have you EVER been court-martialed or have you received a discharge characterized as other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable, while in the U.S. armed forces?

In plain English: Did the U.S. military ever put you on trial, or make you leave for bad behavior?

You may hear: Were you ever court-martialed? · Did you get a dishonorable discharge? · How did you leave the military?

N-400 Part 9, item 27

Have you EVER been discharged from training or service in the U.S. armed forces because you were an alien?

In plain English: Did the U.S. military ever let you go because you were not a citizen?

You may hear: Were you ever discharged because you're not a citizen?

N-400 Part 9, item 28

Have you EVER deserted from the U.S. armed forces?

In plain English: Did you ever leave the U.S. military without permission?

You may hear: Have you ever deserted? · Did you ever leave the army without permission?

N-400 Part 9, item 29

Do you now have, or did you EVER have, a hereditary title or an order of nobility in any foreign country?

In plain English: Are you, or were you ever, a king, a prince, a duke, or other noble person in another country?

You may hear: Do you have a title of nobility? · Are you royalty? · Do you have a noble title, like prince or duke?

N-400 Part 9, item 30.a

If you answered “Yes,” to Item Number 30.a., are you willing to give up any inherited titles or orders of nobility that you have in a foreign country at your naturalization ceremony?

In plain English: Will you give up that title at your citizenship ceremony?

You may hear: Are you willing to give up your title?

N-400 Part 9, item 30.b

Do you support the Constitution and form of Government of the United States?

In plain English: Do you agree with the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. government system?

You may hear: Do you support the Constitution? · Do you believe in the Constitution and the U.S. form of government? · Do you support the U.S. government and the Constitution?

N-400 Part 9, item 31

Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States (see Part 16. Oath of Allegiance)?

In plain English: Do you understand the promise you make to become a U.S. citizen?

You may hear: Do you understand the Oath of Allegiance? · What is the Oath of Allegiance? · What does the oath mean to you? · Do you understand the oath?

N-400 Part 9, item 32

Are you unable to take the Oath of Allegiance because of a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment? If you answer “Yes,” skip Item Numbers 34. - 37. and see the Legal Guardian, Surrogate, or Designated Representative section in the Instructions.

In plain English: Is there a health reason you CAN'T take the oath?

You may hear: Is there any medical reason you can't take the oath? · Can you take the oath, or does a disability stop you?

N-400 Part 9, item 33

Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States?

In plain English: Will you make the promise to be loyal to the United States?

You may hear: Are you willing to take the oath? · Will you take the Oath of Allegiance? · Are you ready to swear loyalty to the United States?

N-400 Part 9, item 34

If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms (carry weapons) on behalf of the United States?

In plain English: If the law says so, will you carry a weapon and fight for the United States?

You may hear: If the law requires it, will you fight for the U.S.? · Would you defend the United States with a weapon if needed? · Are you willing to bear arms?

N-400 Part 9, item 35

If the law requires it, are you willing to perform noncombatant services (do something that does not include fighting in a war) in the U.S. armed forces?

In plain English: If the law says so, will you help the U.S. military without fighting? (for example, cooking, driving, nursing)

You may hear: If the law requires it, will you help the military without fighting? · Are you willing to do noncombatant service? · Would you help the army in other ways, like a cook or a nurse?

N-400 Part 9, item 36

If the law requires it, are you willing to perform work of national importance under civilian direction (do non-military work that the U.S. Government says is important to the country)?

In plain English: If the law says so, will you do important non-military work for the country?

You may hear: If the law requires it, will you do civilian work for the country? · Would you work for the government in an emergency? · Are you willing to do work of national importance?

N-400 Part 9, item 37