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The Military Member’s Guide to Citizenship Application Completing/Submitting the Application |
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Obtain an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400). Once you have completed the eligibility worksheet and believe you are eligible for naturalization, you should obtain an application. The application is called the "Application for Naturalization" (Form N-400). You may obtain an N-400 at your ACS Customer Service Section, by calling the INS Forms Line (1-800-870-3676) or by downloading it from the internet at www.ins.usdoj.gov.
Completing your Application and Getting Photographed
Complete your application. Once you have an N-400, you must fill it out completely. Part 2 of the form has a large influence on the amount of time it takes to process your application. Most military members will check block "a" or "b", depending on whether or not you meet the 5-year Permanent Resident requirement. If you do not meet the 5-year Permanent Resident requirement and check block "d", you must complete Forms N-426 ("Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service") and G-325B ("Biographic Information). If you meet the 5-year Permanent Resident requirement, check block "a" because the N-426 and G-325B are not required which will shorten processing time. INS may ask for additional information if you leave it out of your application which will delay the processing. Please be aware that you will be required to answer questions about your application at your interview. When completing your application, you should answer all questions honestly.
Get two photographs taken. You must include two color photographs with your application. If photographs are not sent with your application, INS will return the application. Your photographs should be the same size as the sample below.
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The photographs must also be:
Unmounted and printed on thin paper, on white background with a ¾ profile view of the right side of your face; and
Taken within 30 days of the date they are sent to INS
Your head should also be bare (unless you are required to wear a headdress by a religious order).
Print your name and "A" number lightly in pencil on the back of each photograph. For more information on the photograph requirements, see the single page titled "Color Photograph Specifications" located at your ACS Customer Service Section.
Collect the necessary documents. You will need to include copies of several documents with your application. Use the checklist on the following pages to make sure you include the right documents. Please be sure to send an English translation with any document that is not already in English. The translation must include a statement from the translator that he or she is competent to translate and that the translation is correct.
IMPORTANT: The attached checklist will
tell you when you need to send original documents and when you may send copies. If you must send an original document
to INS, remember to make and keep a copy for your records.
Bring your application, documents, and fee to the Military Personnel Customer Service Section.
The Military Personnel Unit will review your package and fill out the N-426 verifying your service dates and will mail the G-325B to Ft Meade for the background check (Note: Members applying based on five years as a Permanent Resident are exempt from submitting the N-426 and G325B. If you try to take or mail your application to a local INS office, it will be returned to you. The fee you must send with your application is on the "Current Naturalization Fees" sheet available on the INS home page at www.ins.usdoj.com. If you are unable to pay the required fees, you may request a fee waiver in accordance with INS guidelines which are detailed at the INS web site identified above.
Getting Fingerprinted
The following are the steps required to have your fingerprints taken:
1. Receive an appointment letter from INS. Once INS receives your application, you will receive a letter from INS telling you where and when to have your fingerprints taken. In most cases the letter will tell you to go to an Application Support Center or a police station. A van will come to certain areas to fingerprint applicants who are located far from the nearest fingerprinting location. Your notice from INS will tell you if a van serves your area.
2. Go to the fingerprinting location. Take your notice letter from INS, your Permanent Resident Card, and another form of identification (drivers license, passport, state identification card) with you. Your second form of identification should have your photograph on it.
3. Get your fingerprints taken. Currently, most sites are using ink to take fingerprints. Eventually, every fingerprinting site will use electronic technology to take fingerprints without ink.
In order to conduct a criminal background check, INS will send your fingerprints to the FBI. In some cases, the FBI may reject your fingerprints because of the quality of the prints. If the FBI rejects your fingerprints, INS will notify you and schedule a second visit to the fingerprinting site. If your fingerprints are rejected, you will not be asked to pay again. If the FBI rejects your prints twice, you will be asked to provide police clearances for each place you have lived in the past five years. You will need to contact the police departments in the places you have lived to get these clearances.
4. Mail additional documents if INS requests them. While the FBI is checking your background, INS will locate your immigration file. Sometimes, INS may need additional documents from you before they can schedule your interview. If INS needs more information from you, they will either contact the ACS Customer Service Section or send you a letter telling you what they need and where to send it.
5. Wait for INS to schedule your interview. Once everything is ready, INS will schedule you for an interview. They will send you an interview notice in the mail that will tell you the date, time, and place of your interview. It is very important you make every effort to attend the interview.
Information Courtesy of U.S. Army
