Guides / Military Naturalization: Becoming a Citizen Through Service

Military Naturalization: Becoming a Citizen Through Service

Updated: October 30, 2026

Members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces have two special paths to citizenship. Under INA 328, at least 1 year of honorable service at any time can qualify you, often without the usual residence requirements. Under INA 329, honorable service of any length during a designated period of hostilities, including the period that began on September 11, 2001 and is still ongoing, can qualify you, sometimes even without a green card. Military applicants under either section pay no N-400 filing fee.

INA 328: one year of service, at any time

Who qualifies:

• At least 1 year of honorable service in the U.S. armed forces, in one or more periods
• A lawful permanent resident (green card holder) at the time of your interview
• If you've already left the military, you separated under honorable conditions
• Good moral character for the 5 years before filing and until the oath
• English, civics and attachment to the Constitution

Residence advantage: If you file while still serving or within 6 months of leaving, you don't have to meet the usual continuous residence, physical presence or 3-month state residence requirements. If you file more than 6 months after separation, you must meet them, though time spent abroad in the armed forces counts as time in the United States.

INA 329: service during a period of hostilities

Who qualifies:

• Honorable service, for any length of time, on active duty or in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve during a designated period of hostilities
• Either a green card holder, or you were in the United States (or certain other places listed in the law, such as American Samoa) or on board a U.S. public vessel when you enlisted, reenlisted, extended or were inducted
• If separated, separation under honorable conditions
• Good moral character for at least the 1 year before filing and until the oath
• English, civics and attachment to the Constitution

No residence requirements: INA 329 has no continuous residence or physical presence requirement.

Designated periods of hostilities (per the N-400 instructions):

• September 1, 1939 – December 31, 1946
• June 25, 1950 – July 1, 1955
• February 28, 1961 – October 15, 1978
• August 2, 1990 – April 11, 1991
• September 11, 2001 – present

How to apply

1. Form N-400. In Part 1, check the military box that fits your case: service during a period of hostilities, or at least 1 year of honorable service.
2. Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service. This is required if you're currently serving. Your unit's designated official certifies your service.
3. Service documents. If you're currently serving, send a copy of your official military orders, not originals. If you've separated, send copies of your DD Form 214, NGB Form 22 or other discharge documents for all periods of service.
4. No fee. Applicants under INA 328 or 329 pay $0, as of October 2026. A related denial appeal (N-336) is also free for these applicants.

USCIS processes military naturalization applications with special procedures. Current members may be able to complete the whole process, including the interview and oath, outside the United States at certain U.S. embassies, consulates and military bases.

The tests still apply

Military applicants must pass the English and civics tests, like other applicants. If you file on or after October 20, 2025, that means the 2025 civics test: up to 20 questions from a list of 128, with 12 correct needed. Applicants who filed earlier take the 2008 test. The usual exemptions and the medical exception with Form N-648 still apply, as does one retest after a failure. See how to pass the civics test for a study method that fits around training and deployment. Short daily sessions on a phone app like Civio work well when your schedule is unpredictable.

Important policy details as of 2026

Uncharacterized discharges. Under a September 2025 USCIS policy update, an uncharacterized discharge issued on or after August 1, 2024 doesn't count as separation "under honorable conditions" for INA 328 or 329. Uncharacterized discharges issued on or before July 31, 2024 still count. This often affects people discharged during entry-level training.

Revocation risk. If you naturalize based on military service and are later separated under other than honorable conditions before completing a total of 5 years of honorable service, your citizenship can be revoked.

Discharge for being a non-citizen. If you requested and received an exemption or discharge from the military because you were a non-citizen, you may be permanently ineligible for citizenship.

Desertion. A conviction for desertion during wartime bars naturalization.

Family members of service members

Spouses and children of service members have some special provisions. These include naturalization or interviews abroad when the service member is stationed overseas, and certain rules for children's citizenship. These are separate from INA 328 and 329. The fee exemption for the Certificate of Citizenship (N-600) applies to current and former service members requesting it for themselves, but not to their children. See citizenship for children and Form N-600.

Where to get help

USCIS runs a Military Help Line at 877-CIS-4MIL (877-247-4645) for service members, veterans and their families. Call it if you get new orders or deploy after filing. Many installations also have legal assistance offices that help with naturalization. More information is at uscis.gov/military.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a green card to naturalize through the military?

Under INA 328, yes. Under INA 329, not necessarily. If you served honorably during a period of hostilities and enlisted while in the United States or certain other places, you can qualify without permanent residence.

Is there a fee for military naturalization?

No. Applicants filing under INA 328 or 329 pay no N-400 fee. Other forms, such as a replacement certificate, may still have fees.

Can I take the citizenship test while deployed?

Current service members may be able to complete their interview, test and oath abroad at certain locations. Contact the Military Help Line or your installation's legal office to see what's available where you're stationed.

I served less than a year. Do I qualify?

Not under INA 328, which needs at least 1 year in total. But the current designated period of hostilities began on September 11, 2001 and is still ongoing, so honorable service of any length since then may qualify under INA 329 if you meet the other conditions.

Prepare for the civics test with Civio: every official question from the 2025 USCIS civics test, Exam Mode with your state's questions, and spaced repetition.

Informational article, not legal advice. Civio is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; always check current requirements at uscis.gov.

Keep reading: N-400 Denied - Your Options, Deadlines, and the N-336 Hearing · N-400 Filing Fee: What You Pay and How to Pay Less · Form N-648: The Medical Disability Exception to the Citizenship Tests · Example civics test questions