Naturalization Through Military Service:

Advance Parole for Former Service Members Residing

Overseas Seeking Naturalization 

Fact Sheet

April 2022
Naturalization Through Military Service

Fact Sheet 2

Former service members oftheU. S. military who served honorably during specifically designated periods 

of hostilities and reside outside the United States may qualify for naturalization. To attend their

naturalization interview, these former service members may apply for a visa with the Department of State 

to enter the United States or apply for an Advance ParoleDocumentfor parole for urgent humanitarian or 

significant public benefit reasons with the Department of Homeland Security to enterthe United States, if

eligible. This fact sheet provides information forformer service members residing overseas who may

seek an Advance Parole Document, which will permitthem to appear at a port of entry and seek

parole into the United States to complete the naturalization process.

PROCESS

Eligible current or former service members must complete the naturalization process, including attending 

the naturalization interview and taking theOath of Allegiance, in theUnited States. For additional information

on eligibility for naturalization, see www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-i-chapter-3. A former service

member may request an Advance Parole Document by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document,

concurrently with Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

HOWTOAPPLY

• File Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, withoutfee, at www.uscis.gov/n-400with all 

required evidence including:

 A completed Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service (www.uscis.

gov/n-426), and a photocopy of your Certificate of Releasefrom Active Duty (DD Form 214), 

National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service(NGB Form 22), or other official

discharge document for all periods of service.

 See the Form N-400 instructions for additional evidence requirements, including a police

clearance from every place ofresidence outside the United States within one year of filing.

• If necessary, file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, withoutfee, available at

www.uscis.gov/i-131 with USCIS including all required evidence. Handwrite “IMMVI” atthe top of

Form I-131 and in Part 2, check either 1e or 1f.

 See Form I-131 instructions for additional evidence requirements, including Form I-134,

Affidavit of Support, available at www.uscis.gov/i-134.

WHERE TO SEND THE APPLICATION

If filing Form I-131 with Form N-400 concurrently: 

ForU.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

Attn: HP-N-400

P.O. Box 660865

Dallas, TX 75266-0865

For FedEx,UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn:HP (Box 660865)

2501 S. StateHwy. 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067-8003
Naturalization Through Military Service

Fact Sheet 3

If you are filing only Form N-400, see www.uscis.gov/n-400 for where to file. 

CONTACT:

For additional information about naturalization, current orformer service members may contact: 877-CIS4MIL (877-247-4645, TTY 800-877-8339) or militaryinfo@uscis.dhs.gov. For general information about parole 

and other military related questions, see www.dhs.gov/immvets. 

Summary of Steps for Former Service Members Seeking Naturalization

If you are: Whatto File: Additional Steps

A former service memberfiling

from outside theUnited States

• File Form N-400 with the

USCIS Lockbox.

• If necessary, file Form I-131

with the USCIS Lockbox

concurrentlywith Form N-400 

and select the option to 

request an Advance Parole

Document.

Note: If you have previously

been removed from the United 

States, USCIS will forward your

Form I-131 to U.S. 

Immigration and Customs 

Enforcementfor adjudication.

Failure to note any removal 

proceedings on your Form I131 could result in delays in 

processing. 

• If your request for an Advance

ParoleDocumentis approved,

you will be contacted to

schedule a naturalization

interview at the USCIS office 

with jurisdiction over your 

naturalization application.

• If yourrequestfor an Advance

Parole Document is denied,

USCIS may coordinate with

U.S. Customs and Border 

Protection to help facilitate

your naturalization interview

at a land port of entry, if

available.

-USCIS-