Citizenship for Military Members
If you serve honorably in the U.S. military for at least one year at any time, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization under the Immigration and Naturalization Act Section 328. The benefits of naturalization through military service include waiver of the requirements that a non-citizen must be a permanent resident for 5 years, must be physically present in the U.S. for 30 months, and the requirement of the USCIS filing fee.
To establish eligibility, 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, 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.
If you meet the requirements of Section 328 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act, you may apply for naturalization by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
You may also apply for naturalization under Section 329 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act if you are currently serving or previously served in the U.S. military during a period of hostilities. Under Section 329, some requirements may not apply or may be reduced.
Many military installations have a designated U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services liaison to help with the naturalization process. You may also complete your application by creating an online account and filing your Form N-400 online.
More information is available at: uscis.gov/military/naturalization-through-military-service
Citizenship for Spouses and Children of Military Members
Spouses of U.S. service members may be eligible for expedited naturalization. Children of U.S. service members may also be eligible for naturalization or may be eligible to automatically acquire citizenship. Expedited naturalization is usually done when the spouse or children of a military member is accompanying the military member overseas.
Spouses
Spouses Living in the US
If you have been a lawful permanent resident for at least three years and have been married to and living with your U.S. citizen spouse for that time, you can apply for naturalization.
Expedited Naturalization for Spouses
Spouses of U.S. service members who are, or will be, stationed outside the United States may be eligible for expedited naturalization in the U.S under Section 319(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. To apply for naturalization, the spouse must:
- Be age 18 or older;
- Establish your spouse is a U.S. citizen who is, or will be, regularly stationed abroad as a U.S. service member for a period of one year or more;
- Be authorized to accompany your spouse abroad by your spouse’s official orders;
- Be present in the U.S. at the time of naturalization;
- Declare in good faith upon naturalization an intent to reside abroad an intent to reside abroad with your U.S. citizen spouse and to reside in the U.S. immediately upon your spouse’s termination of service abroad;
- Be able to read, write, and speak basic English;
- Have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (civics); and
- Have been, and continue to be, a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the U.S. during all relevant periods under the law.
Spouses Living Overseas
In some cases, spouses of U.S. military members can complete the naturalization process while living abroad. Under Section 319(e)(2) of the INA, a lawful permanent resident who is married to a U.S. service member can naturalize outside the United States without traveling to the U.S. To be eligible, the spouse must:
- Be the spouse of a U.S. service member who is stationed outside the United States in that capacity;
- Be authorized to accompany your spouse outside the United States by your spouse’s official orders;
- Reside outside the United States in marital union with your spouse; and
- Meet the requirements of either section 316(a) or 319(a) of the INA at the time you file your naturalization application.
Children
Children Born in the U.S.
Children of U.S. service members may automatically acquire citizenship if they are born in the U.S.
Children Born Abroad
Children of U.S. service members who are born abroad may still acquire citizenship through the following processes:
- At Birth: A child can have automatic citizenship at birth if one or both parents are U.S. citizens when the child is born and if the parent meets the residence or physical presence requirements (including period of honorable service in the U.S. military).
- Automatic Citizenship After Birth: A child can have automatic citizenship after birth if: the child is a lawful permanent resident; at least one parent is a U.S. citizen; the child is residing in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent; the U.S. citizen parent is stationed and residing outside the U.S. as a member of the U.S. military; and the child is residing with them outside the U.S. To obtain a Certificate of Citizenship, the child is required to come to the U.S. and complete the citizenship process in the U.S.
- Children Born and Residing Outside the United States: If the child did not automatically gain U.S. citizenship under other laws, the child can still gain citizenship if they: have at least one U.S. citizen parent; take the Oath of Allegiance before the age of 18; have a U.S. citizen parent or grandparent that meets the physical presence requirements; and reside outside the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the parent, including with a U.S. military service member.
Family Members of Deceased Service Members
If your U.S. service member spouse or parent died as a result of their military service, you might be eligible for expedited naturalization. Generally, the spouse and children under age 21 and parents of a U.S. citizen who died during honorable military service can apply for citizenship right away. Requirements include:
- Being a lawful permanent resident;
- Meeting the general naturalization requirements except for the residence or physical presence requirements in the U.S.; and
- Having lived with your service member spouse at the time of death unless you lived apart because of circumstances beyond your control, such as the spouse’s military service.
Family members who do not have lawful permanent resident status may apply for a green card as the immediate relative of the deceased service member. The petition must be filed within two years of the service member’s death. More information is available at:
uscis.gov/military/citizenship-for-military-family-members