How Long Does It Take to Get Citizenship Through the Military?

Did you know the United States military has naturalized over 170,000 service members since 2002? From 2019 to 2023, the Armed Forces has naturalized over 40,000 service members, both within the country and overseas. This acceleration demonstrates how foreigners have the opportunity to become American citizens through serving the nation.

But how long does it take to become a U.S. citizen through the military? We’ll discuss the requirements and proper process to become a lawful permanent resident through military service.

How to Apply for American Citizenship Through Military Service?

You must follow these five steps to become an American citizen by working for the military.

1. Ensure you’re eligible for American citizenship.

Determine your eligibility for American citizenship through the Naturalization Eligibility Tool. Simple questions will help you determine whether you’re ready to complete and submit your forms.

2. Accomplish Form N-400.

Read the instructions thoroughly before you accomplish the Form N-400. You should work on securing your Form N-426 to avoid having to prepare additional requirements. If specific questions don’t apply to you, you should mark it as N/A. You may file this form electronically or via mail.

3. Provide your fingerprints.

If you live in the United States, you’ll be tasked to go to an Application Support Center to provide fingerprints for the required security check.

You don’t need an appointment if you’re a service member or veteran, but you must present your current military I.D. If you’re abroad, you’ll be tasked to send two passport photos and two FD-258 fingerprint cards. Your enlistment fingerprints may be used if you cannot submit this requirement.

4. Get interviewed by an assigned USCIS officer at a designated location. 

You’ll be required to attend an interview with a USCIS officer who will test your knowledge of U.S. history and civics and your ability to speak and write English.

This naturalization interview is crucial because it will determine your naturalization status. You can appeal the decision by filing a Form N-336 if your form is denied.

5. Take the Oath of Allegiance.

If your application is approved, you’ll be asked to take the Oath of Allegiance, which certifies your status as a U.S. citizen. While this may happen on your interview date, it may also take place at a later date.

Military Service Citizenship Timeline

The naturalization process consists of various stages. The Application for Naturalization or Form N-400 usually takes 14 months to process.

The interview, decision, and the Oath of Allegiance lengthen this journey from 18 and a half months to 24 months. Spouses of service members and other beneficiaries may be eligible for expedited naturalization.

While the process may be straightforward, several factors can lead to delays. Common reasons that impact one’s citizenship process include your place of residence, the volume of applications received by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and incomplete documents.

Being proactive in your application process can help you avoid these dilemmas. To avoid delays, you should ensure that you meet all the requirements for naturalization. Being overprepared is better than being underprepared.

Double-checking your application for errors or typos can provide a smooth process. You should ensure you have copies of all documents submitted in case the USCIS requests them.

What are the Requirements for Service Members?

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sections 1439 and 1440 stipulate two ways for a service member to become a U.S. citizen: serving in the Armed Forces for at least one year or serving the nation during hostile times. We’ll discuss the requirements in this section.

Peacetime Naturalization – One Year of Service

Military members who have served honorably for at least one year are eligible for ‘peacetime naturalization,’ which applies to active duty members and veterans.

These are the requirements for applicants that fall under this category:

• At least 18 years old
• A lawful permanent resident during the naturalization interview period
• Evidence of good moral character for five years before the application process
• Proof that the applicant served in the U.S. Armed Forces for a total of at least one year (not necessarily continuous)
• The ability to read, write, speak, and understand English
• Knowledge of U.S. government and history
• Commitment to the overall well-being of the nation
• Support for the U.S. Constitution’s ideas

How can you determine if someone has or is rendering honorable service? Their military branch will deem them as such. For veterans, this would mean you were given an honorable discharge or general-under-honorable conditions upon leaving the military.

Suppose the applicant submitted their naturalization requirements at least six months after discharge. In that case, they must present evidence that they’ve resided in the country continuously for five years and were physically present in the country for 30 months before their application date.

However, if the applicant served honorably during these five years, they may be eligible to apply even if they were stationed abroad. Applicants who filed while serving in the military or six months after can bypass the physical presence and residence requirements.

During a Period of Hostility

Applicants who served the Armed Forces during a period of hostility are subject to different requirements:

• Any age
• The ability to read, write, speak, and understand English
• A permanent resident or physically present in the United States ( or any public vessel, the Canal Zone, American Samoa, or Swains Island) at the enlistment or extension time in the military
• Served the nation during a certified period of hostility
• Proof of good moral character for the year up to the filing date
• Knowledge of U.S. government and history
• Commitment to the overall well-being of the nation
• Support for the U.S. Constitution’s ideas

To be eligible for naturalization under this condition, you must present evidence you’ve rendered service in any of the following periods of hostility:

• War on Terrorism (September 11, 2001, to Present Day)
• Persian Gulf Conflict (August 2, 1990 to April 11, 1991)
• Vietnam Hostilities (February 28, 1961 to October 15, 1978)
• Korean Conflict (June 25, 1950 to July 1, 1955)
• World War II (September 1, 1939 to December 31, 1946)
• World War I (April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918)

Requirements Depending on the Branch of Military Service

‘Armed Forces’ encompasses those who render service for the Army, Navy, Space Force, Coast Guard, Air Force, or Marines. Each service branch has its age limit for enlistment, but this doesn’t affect your naturalization process.

You can file for naturalization if you submit evidence of active duty service in any military branch. You’re also eligible for naturalization if you’re a reserve component in the National Guard.

Documents Necessary

Regardless of whether you’re submitting your application based on one year of service or a period of hostility, you must prepare the following documents before you commence the naturalization process:

• Form N-400
• Form N-426. A military officer must certify and sign this within six months after the Form N-400 is submitted.

If you left the military upon filing your naturalization form, you must present any of the following additional forms:

• NGB Form 22 ( for National Guard applicants only)
• D.D. Form 214 ( for all service members)
• Other discharge paperwork that states your service and discharge type

The Advantages of American Citizenship Through Military Service

What are the immigration benefits of foreign citizen service members? People who’ve served honorably in the Armed Forces can enjoy the following advantages:

Shorter Requirements for Residency

You would generally have to reside in the United States for five straight years or be married to an American citizen for three years to apply for citizenship. You can bypass this waiting period if you’re a service member.

No need for state-of-residence

Civilians must live in the district or state where they file their N-400 for at least three months. You don’t need to meet this requirement as a service member.

Waived application fees

Civilians pay an average of $800 to become a U.S. citizen. You don’t have to pay anything if you’re applying as a service member.

Required Forms for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Form N-400

All applicants, even service members, must complete and submit the Form N-400 or Application for Naturalization. You should indicate that you’re seeking naturalization through military service to fast-track your application process.

This form should be completed in black ink if submitted on paper, but you can also submit it electronically. The application must include ALL pages, even if some sections don’t apply to your situation.

Form N-426

Also known as Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, Form-426 confirms that you have served or are serving honorably for the Armed Forces. A military officer must certify and sign this within six months after the Form N-400 is submitted.

However, you can submit this form without certification if you file your Form N-400 after you’ve been discharged. You’ll be required to present additional evidence of honorable service (NGB Form 22, DD Form 214, or another discharge document) in place of this certification.

Insight into the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

Service members are provided many benefits, including healthcare, housing, and education. One of the most attractive benefits of becoming a service member is the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act or SCRA. Service members are given financial and judicial protections to be able to focus on serving the nation. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy through this federal law:

Interest Rate Reductions

Active duty service members can enjoy a reduction of interest rate for pre-service debt of 6%. This benefit can lower your overall credit card, mortgage, student loan, or other qualified debt. This benefit applies until a year after you’re discharged from military service.

Eviction Protection

Landlords cannot evict you from your house or apartment without securing a court order. This protection applies even if you’re stationed abroad or elsewhere. If your spouse or other dependents reside there, they can’t be evicted.

Postponement of Civil Court Actions

You can have civil court proceedings postponed so you can focus on serving the nation. This protection doesn’t apply to criminal charges.

Final Words

Service members are considered heroes and are granted a more straightforward path toward American naturalization. Among the various requirements to becoming an American citizen is evidence that you’re from the military, which is where SCRACVS can help. Sign up today to present proof you’re on active duty service.

FAQs

How many U.S. citizenships are given each year?

It depends on the year, but about 878,500 people were naturalized in 2023. This figure is 9% lower than the previous year but 40% higher than 2020.

How many years do you have to be in America to become a citizen?

You would typically have to be in the country for five years or married to an American citizen for three years to become a citizen. Service members can bypass this requirement if they’ve served in the military for at least a year or during a hostile period.

Which state has the lowest number of naturalized citizens?

According to the American Immigration Council, Arkansas, New Mexico, Indiana, and Kansas have the lowest naturalization rates.

How many lawful permanent residents are there in the U.S.?

According to the Pew Research Center, 46.1 million foreign-born citizens are in the country.

Does U.S. military service grant citizenship?

You don’t automatically become a U.S. citizen by rendering military service, but it can fast-track your naturalization process.

How many U.S. soldiers are immigrants?

FWD estimates that 45,000 immigrant soldiers are serving the country actively.

How many people are naturalized in the United States?

According to the Migration Policy, the country has 24.5 million naturalized citizen members.

How do you get citizenship in the United States?

If you satisfy the citizenship requirements, you must complete Form N-400 to become an American citizen.