Qualifying members of the U.S. armed forces may be able to expedite the application and naturalization process. In addition, spouses of members of the U.S. armed forces who are or will be deployed might also be eligible for the expedited naturalization. IN order to qualify the member must be a part of one of the following branches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and certain components of the National Guard and Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve. Further the member must be of good moral character, have knowledge of English and of U.S. government and history, and must have attachment by Oath of Allegiance to the U.S. Constitution. They are exempt from other naturalization requirements such as physical presence and resident in the United States.
In order for a spouse to qualify for expedited naturalization he/she must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be present in the U.S. pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence at the time of examination on the naturalization application
- Present in the U.S. at the time of naturalization
- Understand how to read, write, and speak basic English
- Understand or have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and civics
- Establish that his or her spouse is deployed abroad as a service member
- Be of good moral character
- Be well disposed to the good order and happiness of the U.S. during all relevant periods under the law.
Qualify Family of Deceased Service Members
Under certain conditions a family member of a deceased service member may qualify for naturalization. This option is only available to spouses, children, or parents of a deceased service member. Additionally the service member must have been a citizen and, must have served honorably on active duty, and was currently serving at the time of the death (or death was combat related).
Overseas Naturalization of Family Members
Certain eligible spouses and children of service members are allowed to naturalize abroad without traveling to the U.S. The requirements for spouses and children differ slightly. For spouses, he or she must:
- A permanent resident spouse of a member of the U.S. armed forces
- Be authorized to accompany the service member abroad
- Be residing abroad with the member in marital union
- Meet the other requirements for naturalization except for the residence and physical presence requirements
For the children, classified as under age 18, they must:
- Have at least one parent that is a U.S. citizen or if deceased, the parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of death
- The U.S. citizen parent has been physically present in the U.S. for at least 5 years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of 14
- Be residing outside the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent (if deceased the person in legal custody must no object to the application)
- Be in temporarily present in the U.S. after having entered lawfully and is maintaining lawful status in the U.S.
For more information on naturalization through military service, you can visit USCIS.gov.
