Naturalization Through Military Service
If you are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces and are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
🛑Eligibility
If you meet all the requirements of either section 328 or 329 of the INA, you may apply for naturalization by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, under the section that applies to you. You will not have to pay any fees for applying for naturalization under INA 328 or 329. As a current or former member of the U.S. military, certain other naturalization requirements may not apply to you; for example, if you served honorably during a designated period of hostilities, you may not have to reside in or be physically present in the U.S. for any length of time before you apply for naturalization. The requirements for naturalization are explained in greater detail below.
🛑One Year of Military Service at Any Time
If you served honorably in the U.S. armed forces for at least one year at any time, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization. While some general naturalization requirements apply under INA 328, other requirements may not apply or are reduced. To establish eligibility under INA 328, you must:
Be 18 years old or older;
Have served honorably at any time in the U.S. armed forces for a period or periods totaling at least 1 year;
Have submitted a completed Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service (PDF, 288.38 KB), at the time of filing your N-400, if you are currently serving, or a photocopy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, NGB Form 22, National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service, or other official discharge document for all periods of service if you are not currently serving,
Demonstrate that if separated from service, you were separated under honorable conditions,
Be a lawful permanent resident at the time of your naturalization interview;
Meet certain residence and physical presence requirements;
Demonstrate the ability to read, write and speak English, unless qualified for a waiver or exception;
Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government, unless excepted,
Demonstrate good moral character for at least five years before filing your N-400 through the day you naturalize; and
Demonstrate an attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and be well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law, unless waived.
🛑For Former Military Members
If you are applying for naturalization based on former military service, you must complete your naturalization interview and take the Oath of Allegiance in the United States. If you are residing outside of the United States and are unable to enter the United States with a visa, you may request parole by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, concurrently with your N-400 application. See Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole for Individuals Outside the United States and Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document for additional information. Write "Military N-400" at the top of Form I-131.
Where to File
See the “Advance Parole Document for current and former service members outside of the U.S.” section of our Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document page. Do not submit the I-131 separately.
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