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The Military Member’s Guide to Citizenship Application Getting Help |
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There are many resources available to naturalization applicants. Some of these are:
Military Personnel Unit: The Military Personnel Unit for your particular branch of the military is your
primary contact for citizenship application. They have all the information you need to become familiar with the
naturalization process and help to complete your application. The Personnel folks will assist with completing the
forms, service date verification, mailing of 325B for background check, and forwarding the application package
to the INS Service Center. However, it’s your responsibility to make sure all the necessary documentation is included
(such as divorce certificates, birth certificates, required letters, etc.)
INS Telephone Centers. If you want more information about naturalization, you may call the "Ask Immigration" telephone number listed on the sheet titled "Your Local Office" available at the MILPO Customer Service Section.
Community Based Organizations (CBOs). In most communities, there are organizations that assist immigrants who want to become naturalized. These organizations often offer classes in English and civics. They may also help immigrants complete their applications. CBOs may charge a fee or they may offer their services free of charge. You may locate a CBO by contacting your local INS office. You may also look in the phone book under "Immigration and Naturalization" or "Immigration and Naturalization Consultants" or talk to other immigrants who have been naturalized.
IMPORTANT: You should be certain that the organization or attorney you contact is reliable and has a good reputation. One way to be sure of the quality of a CBO is to ask them for references or if the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) accredits them.
Immigration Attorneys. If you have questions about your eligibility, you may want to see an immigration attorney. The base legal office at your base can assist you or you may find a civilian attorney by looking in the phone book under "Lawyers" or "Attorneys". In many cases, the phone book also has a directory of attorneys by the type of law they practice. You may be able to find attorneys who assist immigrants by looking in the directory under "Immigration and Naturalization".
INS Information Counters. If you have questions that have not been answered either by this guide or by the
other sources listed here, you may always go to the information counter at your local INS office. There you may
speak directly to an INS employee.
Information Courtesy of U.S. Army
