INS: Terminate Acceptance of Older Naturalization Form N-400 Editions

FR: Immigration and Naturalization Service

Published March 31st, 2003

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) issued a notice terminating the acceptance of older editions of the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Effective March 31, 2003, only editions dated May 31, 2001, or later, will be accepted for filing.

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What changed

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has issued a notice to confirm that, effective March 31, 2003, only Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, editions dated May 31, 2001, or later, will be accepted for filing. This action terminates the acceptance of all prior editions of the form, which were previously allowed an extended transition period following the introduction of the revised form in November 2001. The purpose of this change is to ensure that all applicants use the most current form, which reflects recent legislative changes and updated requirements.

Regulated entities and individuals seeking U.S. citizenship must ensure that any Form N-400 mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed on or after March 31, 2003, bears an edition date of May 31, 2001, or later. Offices distributing the form should only provide current editions. Any applications submitted using obsolete editions after the termination date will be rejected and returned to the applicant. Applications properly filed before March 31, 2003, using older editions, will still be processed to completion.

What to do next

Ensure all mailed, postmarked, or filed Form N-400 applications are dated May 31, 2001, or later, effective March 31, 2003.
Distribute only Form N-400 editions dated May 31, 2001, or later.

Penalties

Obsolete editions of Form N-400 received on or after March 31, 2003, will be rejected and returned to the applicant.

Source document (simplified)

Notice

Application for Naturalization, Form N-400: Termination of Acceptance of Editions Issued Prior to May 31, 2001

A Notice by the Immigration and Naturalization Service on 02/28/2003

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Other Formats Published Document: 03-4863 (68 FR 9723) Document Headings ###### Department of Justice

Immigration and Naturalization Service

[INS No. 2247-02]

AGENCY:

Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice confirms only editions dated May 31, 2001, or later, of the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, as acceptable for filing by persons applying for United States citizenship. These revised editions include recent legislative changes, clarify the information required from applicants, eliminate obsolete questions, and update the data collection process. This notice advises the public that all Forms N-400 that are mailed, postmarked or otherwise filed on or after March 31, 2003 must bear the edition date of May 31, 2001, or later.

DATES:

This notice is effective March 31, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gerard Casale, Business Process and Reengineering Division, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 801 I Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-0788.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In a Federal Register notice dated November 16, 2001, at 66 FR 57737-57739, the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service) announced the establishment of the revised Form N-400, bearing the edition date of May 31, 2001, as the only edition acceptable for applications for United States citizenship. That notice stated that earlier editions of Form N-400 would not be acceptable for filing after December 31, 2001.

Subsequent to publication of the November 16, 2001, notice the Service ( printed page 9724) continued to allow additional time for transition to the processing of the current Form N-400, during which the previous edition has been accepted for processing. However, it is necessary to complete the conversion to an updated naturalization application format that reflects all current benefits and requirements.

Accordingly, as of March 31, 2003, only the May 31, 2001, or subsequent editions of Form N-400 will be valid for filing an application for naturalization.

To prevent applicants from mistakenly submitting obsolete editions after the termination date of March 31, 2003, offices involved in the distribution of naturalization applications should only provide editions of Form N-400 having an edition date of May 31, 2001, or later.

What Happens After the “Sunset Date” for Accepting the Previous Edition of Form N-400?

Beginning March 31, 2003, only the May 31, 2001, or later editions of Form N-400 will be valid for filing an application for naturalization.

Service Centers will no longer accept earlier editions of the form for filing. Any obsolete editions of the Form N-400 application that the Service Centers may receive on or after March 31, 2003 will be rejected and returned to the applicant with instructions to submit a current Form N-400.

Will the Service Continue to Process the Previous Edition Form N-400 Applications that were Filed Prior to March 31, 2003?

The previous edition of the naturalization applications, if it was properly filed at a Service Center before March 31, 2003 will be processed to completion. However, in cases where there is an eligibility issue that the previous edition does not cover, the Service may ask for additional information.

How Can Applicants Obtain the Current Edition of Form N-400?

Applicants can obtain copies of the current Form N-400 by calling the Service Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676. The current edition of Form N-400 also can be viewed, filled, and printed electronically from the Service's Web site at www.ins.usdoj.gov.

Michael J. Garcia,

Acting Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.

[FR Doc. 03-4863 Filed 2-26-03; 12:08 pm]

BILLING CODE 4410-10-U

Published Document: 03-4863 (68 FR 9723)