What is your current address?

When the USCIS officer asks for the current address, the applicant should respond with the full physical address where he or she currently lives, including the street number and name, apartment or unit number if applicable, city, state, and ZIP code. The applicant should give the same address that appears on the most recent Form N-400 application or any subsequent address change filing through Form AR-11. The officer asks this question to verify that the applicant is residing where the application says, to confirm jurisdiction (the applicant must apply at a USCIS office serving his or her area of residence), and to ensure documentation is accurate.

United States immigration law requires permanent residents to maintain continuous residence and physical presence in the United States. Applicants typically need to have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen) and to have been physically present in the United States for at least half of that time. The address question helps establish where the applicant has lived. Applicants should also be prepared to give previous addresses for the past 5 years (or 3 years for spouses of citizens). The N-400 includes a section listing all U.S. addresses for that period.

Permanent residents are required by law to notify USCIS of any address change within 10 days, using Form AR-11 (online filing is now standard) or by phone. Failure to notify can be a basis for denial of citizenship in some cases. Applicants should bring proof of current address such as a recent utility bill, bank statement, lease, or mortgage statement showing the applicant's name and address. The state-issued driver's license or ID also serves as proof of address in most cases.

Some applicants live in shared housing or have family members on the lease; the address question is about where the applicant actually lives, not where his or her name appears on a lease. If the applicant has multiple addresses (a primary and a vacation home, for example), the primary residence is what should be reported. The applicant's name and address should be consistent with his or her tax filings (Form 1040 or 1040-EZ) and with employer records. Inconsistencies should be explained at the interview.

Practical English ability is also tested by this question; applicants should practice giving their address slowly and clearly, including the spelling of street names and the pronunciation of numbers.