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Military Naturalization

Expedited pathways to citizenship for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, recognizing the service and sacrifice of immigrant service members.

8 U.S.C. § 14398 U.S.C. § 1440INA §§ 328-329

Filing Fees

Expedited

Processing

Flexible

Residence Req.

Two Distinct Pathways

Peacetime Service

8 U.S.C. § 1439

Service Requirement

1 Year

Honorable Active-Duty Service

Requirements

1 year aggregate honorable military service
Lawfully admitted to the United States (any status)
Currently in service OR filed within 6 months of discharge
Good moral character during required period

Benefits

No 5-year residence requirement
No physical presence requirement
No state/district residence requirement
No filing fees (Form N-400)
Expedited processing available

Wartime/Hostilities

8 U.S.C. § 1440

Service Requirement

Any Qualifying Period

During Designated Hostilities

Requirements

Honorable active-duty service during designated hostility period
Enlisted/inducted in U.S. or its territories
OR was lawfully admitted for permanent residence at enlistment

Additional Benefits

No residence requirement of any kind
No physical presence requirement
Can apply overseas
No filing fees
Immediate eligibility

Designated Periods of Hostility

Executive Orders designate periods of armed conflict or military operations that qualify for the expedited wartime naturalization provisions under § 1440.

World War I

April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918

World War II

September 1, 1939 – December 31, 1946

Korean Hostilities

June 25, 1950 – July 1, 1955

Vietnam Hostilities

February 28, 1961 – October 15, 1978

Persian Gulf

August 2, 1990 – April 11, 1991

War on Terrorism

September 11, 2001 – Present

Additional periods may be designated by Executive Order. Check current USCIS guidance.

Qualifying Armed Forces

🪖

U.S. Army

⚓

U.S. Navy

✈️

U.S. Air Force

🎖️

U.S. Marine Corps

🛟

U.S. Coast Guard

🚀

U.S. Space Force

🏛️

National Guard (Title 10)

⭐

Selected Reserve

Members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve may also qualify under certain conditions. This includes National Guard members in federal service.

Service Type

Service must be active duty. Training duty, inactive duty training, or active duty for training generally does not count unless during designated hostilities.

Process & Documentation

Form N-400 (Military)

Military applicants use the same Form N-400 but with military-specific sections and fee exemption.

Filing Fee$0 (Waived)

Biometrics Fee$0 (Waived)

Form N-426

Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service - required to verify qualifying military service.

Must be certified by an authorized official of the military service branch.

Processing Timeline

Standard Processing

Expedited

Overseas Ceremonies

Available

Basic Training

On-site Processing

Posthumous Citizenship

Under 8 U.S.C. § 1440-1, a service member who dies as a result of injury or disease incurred during active-duty service in a designated period of military hostility may be granted posthumous citizenship.

Eligibility

• Death during active-duty service
• Service during designated hostilities
• Honorable service record
• Not previously denied naturalization

Benefits to Family

• Surviving spouse expedited naturalization
• Children may derive citizenship
• Parents may receive certain benefits

Primary Statutory Text

Naturalization through service in the armed forces

A person who has served honorably at any time in the armed forces of the United States for a period or periods aggregating one year, and who, if separated from such service, was never separated except under honorable conditions, may be naturalized without having resided, continuously immediately preceding the date of filing such person's application, in the United States for at least five years...

View full § 1439 on Cornell Law →

Naturalization through active-duty service during periods of military hostilities

Any person who, while an alien or a noncitizen national of the United States, has served honorably in an active-duty status in the military, air, or naval forces of the United States during any period... and who, if separated from such service, was separated under honorable conditions, may be naturalized...

View full § 1440 on Cornell Law →