Specifically, qualifying service members and certain veterans are not required to pay an application fee or a biometrics fee to apply for naturalization, and are not required demonstrate residence or physical presence in the United States. Additionally, service members who serve during specifically designated periods of hostilities may not need to be lawful permanent residents.

• Served honorably in the military for at least one year;

• Obtained lawful permanent resident status;

• Filed an application while still in the service or within six months of separation.

• Served honorably in active-duty status for any period of time;

• Such active-duty service was during a specifically designated period of hostility;

Unlike all other provisions for naturalization, a qualifying service member is not required to be a lawful permanent resident to naturalize under this provision if the service member enlisted or was inducted within the United States or other qualifying geographical area.

Specially trained USCIS customer service specialists at the Nebraska Service Center assist service members, their families, attorneys and others representing them with military-specific naturalization and immigration issues.

The toll free Military Help Line (1-877-CIS-4MIL)

Specialists across USCIS have been selected to handle military naturalization packets, and each consider this responsibility a privilege and an honor, and do all that they can to ensure that applications are processed and completed as expeditiously as possible.

• Application for Naturalization, (USCIS Form N-400)

• Biographic Information, (USCIS Form G-325B)

• Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, (USCIS Form N-426);

• If applicable, a copy of the USCIS Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card; and,

• Two passport-style photographs.

Section 329A of the INA provides for posthumous citizenship to certain members of the U.S. armed forces. A member of the U.S. armed forces who served honorably during a designated period of hostilities and dies as a result of injury or disease incurred in, or aggravated by, that service (including death in combat) may receive posthumous citizenship.

The service member’s next of kin, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary’s designee in USCIS must submit the application for posthumous citizenship within two years of the service member’s death by filing an Application for Posthumous Citizenship, (USCIS Form N-644).

Posthumous citizenship establishes that the deceased veteran is considered a citizen of the United States as of the date of his or her death.

A surviving spouse (even if he or she remarries), child, or parent of a member of the U.S. citizen member of the armed forces, (including a service member granted posthumous citizenship), is eligible to apply for naturalization benefits under Section 319(d) of the INA if the family member meets naturalization requirements other than residence and physical presence.