Naturalization Through Military Service
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 through Military Service. 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 Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service at the time of filing for Naturalization;
- Demonstrate that if separated from service, you were never separated except 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.
Service During Periods of Hostility
If you are currently serving or previously served honorably in the U.S. armed forces during a designated period of hostilities, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization. While some general naturalization requirements apply, other requirements may not apply or are reduced.
The designated periods of hostilities are listed below:
- Apr. 6, 1917 – Nov. 11, 1918
- Sept. 1, 1939 – Dec. 31, 1946
- June 25, 1950 – July 1, 1955
- Feb. 28, 1961 – Oct. 15, 1978
- Aug. 2, 1990 – April 11, 1991
- Sept. 11, 2001 – present
To establish eligibility, you must:
- Have served honorably in the U.S. armed forces during a designated period of hostility, and if separated, have been separated under honorable conditions from your qualifying period of service;
- Have submitted a completed Form Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, at the time of filing your N-400;
- Be a lawful permanent resident or have been physically present at the time of enlistment, reenlistment, or extension of service or induction into the U.S. armed forces:
- In the United States, the Canal Zone, American Samoa, or Swains Island; or
- On board a public vessel owned or operated by the United States for noncommercial service;
- 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 1 year prior to filing for Naturalization 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.
An applicant who files on the basis of military service during hostilities is exempt from the general naturalization requirements of continuous residence and physical presence.\
Additional Information 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 Application for Travel Document, concurrently with your Naturalization application.
Posthumous Citizenship for Military Members
Generally, individuals who served honorably in an active-duty status in the U.S. armed forces during a specified period of military hostilities and died as a result of injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by that service may be eligible for posthumous citizenship.
You must file Form Application for Posthumous Citizenship, on behalf of the deceased service member within two years of their death. Upon approving the application, we will issue a Certificate of Citizenship in the name of the deceased service member establishing posthumously that they were a U.S. citizen on the date they died.
Other provisions of the law may extend immigration benefits to the service member’s surviving spouse, children, and parents.