Processing of Certifications of Honorable Service for Purposes of Naturalization

1.  Reference (a) affords noncitizen service members a statutory exception to certain naturalization requirements otherwise applicable to them, providing an expedited path to U.S. citizenship.  To qualify for this exception, a service member must serve honorably during a period that the President designates, by Executive Order, as one in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or were engaged in military operations involving armed conflict with a hostile force.  In reference (b), the President designated the period of the war on terrorism as such a period.<br>
2.  Reference (c) delegated authority to certify honorable service on United States Citizenship and Naturalization Services (USCIS) Form 426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, to commanding officers serving in paygrade O-6 or higher in a Marine's chain of command.<br>
3.  Reference (d) requires that upon receipt from a qualified applicant of USCIS Form 426, the certifying official will process it with priority and return it to the service member concerned within 30 days of submission.<br>
Note: USCIS updated USCIS Form N-426.  The 9 March 2023 version of the form is the only version USCIS will accept.  The new form is available on the USCIS website (uscis.gov).<br>
4.    Release authorized by Major General David J. Bligh, Director, Judge Advocate Division.