Do I need to have 1 year of military service before I am eligible for naturalization? What other documents do I need in my application?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 20:00:15 -0500

Im an Army reservist currently just got out of basic and AiT 1 month ago. I enlisted on March 7th 2019 and I am applying for citizenship.
1: Do I have to have 1 year of military service before I am eligible for naturalization or I can start applying right now?
2: I already filled out the Form N-400 and N-426 with my commander's signature. What other documents do I have to attach with my application?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2019 8:33 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 20:33:10 -0500

The process has changed a lot since I naturalized.
I was able to apply in reception but that was in 2005.
ArmyOneSource should be able find you an answer or find you a JAG lawyer who knows the answer.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 5 at 2019 10:22 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 22:22:28 -0500

I believe that any current Active or Select Reserve member qualifies under INA329, naturalization during war time. That means you should be eligible now. I would call the nearest INS office to confirm that.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 6 at 2019 11:23 AM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 11:23:29 -0500

https://www.uscis.gov/military/naturalization-through-military-service

Naturalization Through Military Service

If you are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces and are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration an

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 6 at 2019 11:24 AM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 11:24:33 -0500

one year of service during peacetime.
INA 329 applies to all current military service members or veterans who served honorably in an active-duty status or in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve during any of the designated periods of armed conflict listed below:

Sept. 1, 1939 – Dec. 31, 1946
June 25, 1950 – July 1, 1955
Feb. 28, 1961 – Oct. 15, 1978
Aug. 2, 1990 – April 11, 1991
Sept. 11, 2001 – present

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 6 at 2019 11:25 AM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 11:25:16 -0500

thank you for your service to this country and wanting to become a citizen.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 30 at 2020 1:35 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 01:35:10 -0400

I realize I am late, but the most important thing when doing this is having a stable mailing address and location. My wife became eligible during my year in Korea but with her spending so much time in Manila and Seoul, it just was not worth it to me to mail $500+ and then not be able to make the dates and times required. We submitted paperwork when I got back and in less than five years of being in the US, she was a citizen. Never submitted paperwork twice and never paid more than the fees to include never getting a lawyer.