Immigration · 6 min read
N-400 Naturalization: Which Supporting Documents Need a Notary
Most N-400 supporting documents are submitted as photocopies of originals. But several common attachments must be notarized or apostilled.
USCIS generally accepts photocopies of supporting documents for the N-400 application. Notarized copies are not required for marriage certificates, birth certificates, or tax returns.
Notarization or apostille becomes necessary for: foreign-issued vital records (apostille from the issuing country), name change affidavits where no court order exists, statements of support from witnesses to good moral character, and translations of any non-English documents (the translator's certification must be notarized).
During the naturalization interview itself, no notary is involved — the oath is administered by a USCIS officer.