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Serving in the U.S. military is one of the quickest ways for a noncitizen to become a U.S. citizen. The process moves faster than traditional naturalization, but how long does it take to get citizenship through military service? On average, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes citizenship applications for military personnel in approximately six to 12 months. The timeline depends on factors such as service status, eligibility, and how quickly applicants complete required paperwork.
At the Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh, we guide service members and their families through every step of the military naturalization process. Led by Rosina C. Stambaugh, a respected immigration attorney with extensive experience handling complex citizenship and deportation cases, our firm assists active-duty members, veterans, and their families in achieving citizenship efficiently. We know how to prevent unnecessary delays and ensure every application meets all federal requirements.
Does Joining the Military Give You Citizenship?
Joining the military is one way for noncitizens to become naturalized citizens. To apply for citizenship through military service, a noncitizen must first legally enlist. To join the U.S. military as a noncitizen, you must:
- Be a lawful permanent resident (LPR), meaning you hold a valid green card;
- Reside in the U.S.; and
- Meet the military’s age, health, and background requirements for your chosen branch.
U.S. law generally does not allow individuals who entered the country without status or those holding only temporary visas (such as tourist or student visas) to enlist.
Naturalization Eligibility
To qualify for citizenship through the military, applicants must:
- Serve honorably in one of the U.S. Armed Forces branches, such as the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, or certain reserve or National Guard units;
- Have good moral character, which generally means having no serious criminal convictions, fraud, or repeated immigration violations, and demonstrating honesty and integrity;
- Demonstrate basic English and civics knowledge by passing tests on U.S. history and government; and
- Take the Oath of Allegiance, the formal promise to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and laws.
The U.S. offers expedited naturalization to noncitizens who serve in the armed forces. The timeline depends on whether the U.S. is involved in active hostilities when the noncitizen serves.
Peacetime vs. Active Hostilities
Federal law distinguishes between serving during peacetime and serving during active conflict.
During peacetime, those who have served honorably for at least one year are eligible to apply for citizenship. They may apply while still serving or within six months of separating from service.
Those who serve during designated periods of hostilities have no minimum service requirement and may apply to naturalize after honorably serving for any period of time. Because the post-9/11 “War on Terror” qualifies, the U.S. has officially been in a designated period of hostilities for over 20 years.
Benefits of Citizenship Through Military Service
Military service makes an individual eligible for an expedited process and offers major advantages, including:
- No application fees,
- Shortened residency requirements,
- Eligibility to apply while serving abroad,
- Priority processing for applications filed during designated wartime periods,
- Protection from deportation,
- The right to petition for legal status for relatives, and
- Voting and civic participation.
These benefits represent the U.S. government’s acknowledgment of the applicant’s military service.
How Long Does It Take To Get Citizenship Through Military Service?
For an armed forces member to naturalize through military service, they must follow several specific steps. Many service members can receive citizenship within 6 to 12 months, and some applications may be processed even faster.
1. Verification of Service
First, applicants must obtain official proof of honorable service. USCIS requires applicants to complete Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, then submit it to their personnel or human resources office for certification. The process can take 2 to 6 weeks or longer, depending on how quickly the office handles the request.
2. Preparing and Submitting Form N-400
Once they have proof of honorable service, applicants complete and submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to USCIS, along with:
- Certified Form N-426,
- Proof of identity and lawful presence, and
- Deployment records or discharge papers.
Military applicants are exempt from paying filing fees and are not required to provide two passport-style photographs.
3. Biometrics Appointment
After receiving your N-400, USCIS may schedule a biometrics appointment to collect fingerprints, photographs, and a signature for identity verification purposes. If you have already provided this data to the Department of Defense, you may be exempt from this requirement. If not, the appointment is typically a couple of months after you submit Form N-400.
4. Naturalization Interview and Civics Test
Next, applicants attend a naturalization interview, where a USCIS officer will:
- Confirm eligibility,
- Review background and moral character, and
- Administer the English and civics tests.
Active-duty members who serve abroad can complete their interviews and tests through coordination with military legal or immigration liaisons. The interview usually takes place within a few months after you submit Form N-400.
5. The Oath of Allegiance
If USCIS approves the application, applicants will receive a Notice of Naturalization Ceremony, which provides the date and location for the citizenship oath. During the event, new citizens formally pledge allegiance to the U.S. The oath typically occurs within a month.
Factors Affecting Military Naturalization Processing Time
The typical military naturalization processing time depends on several factors, including:
- How quickly the applicant completes all required forms,
- The speed of military certification and background checks,
- USCIS workload and interview availability at the local field office, and
- Whether the applicant is serving overseas.
Applicants can track their cases online using the USCIS case tracker.
Start Your Path to Citizenship Today — Contact the Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh
Although the process of naturalizing through U.S. military service progresses more quickly than civilian naturalization, it still requires careful preparation, timely submissions, and effective coordination. At the Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh, we assist service members and veterans through every stage of military naturalization.
To learn more about how long it takes to get citizenship through the military or to begin your application, contact the Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh today.
