N-400 "not applicable" questions: how to fill in?

[Eredyn 0]

Hello,

Hoping someone can clarify how "not applicable" answers should be handled when filling in the N-400.

1. If a question is completely not applicable (e.g. a section asking for information about children when there are none), should "N/A" be filled into every box of that section, or just the first one in each series? In the case of sections with multiple areas to fill in (e.g. four places to include children), should every box be marked as "N/A"?

2. For a question starting "If yes" where you chose "no" (or vice versa) for the preceding question, should "N/A" be entered into a box or boxes for that question? If so, should "N/A" just be in the first box, or should it be entered into all fields for that question?

Thanks for your time.

[almost_umrican 54]

i put NA once in both cases

[JimmyHou 613]

I would recommend that you either leave these questions blank or write N/A in black ink after you print the application.

Typing in NA or NONE has (only a few times) caused minor problems. For example, a few applicants without middle names put NONE for the middle name field and when they got their interview letters, their name was listed as (example) Alex None Smith.

Personally, I left blanks. It's not a big deal as you'll go over the application in the interview.

[aayitrun 66]

I left blanks. Worked out OK.

[Eredyn 0]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll just leave blanks to avoid errors.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello,

Hoping someone can clarify how "not applicable" answers should be handled when filling in the N-400.

1. If a question is completely not applicable (e.g. a section asking for information about children when there are none), should "N/A" be filled into every box of that section, or just the first one in each series? In the case of sections with multiple areas to fill in (e.g. four places to include children), should every box be marked as "N/A"?

2. For a question starting "If yes" where you chose "no" (or vice versa) for the preceding question, should "N/A" be entered into a box or boxes for that question? If so, should "N/A" just be in the first box, or should it be entered into all fields for that question?

Thanks for your time.

The USCIS addresses your question right here "Tips for Filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization"

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/tips-filing-form-n-400-application-naturalization

See this bullet point

Do not highlight or cross out text on the form or write outside the blank spaces provided for your answers. Answer every question. If a question does not apply to you, answer with N/A. If your answer to a question is none", answer with "none".

For your questions, it is applicable to ask if you have children. You don't so I think "none" is a proper response to let them know you read the question and you have no children. I think one "none" will cover it.

On the other, the question is N/A because you already responded "no" so the rest they ask isn't applicable except to a "yes" responder.

You asked for opinions so that is my offering.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Nich-Nick