Naturalization Through Military Service:

Advance Parole Document for a Humanitarian or 

Significant Public Benefit Parole for Former Service 

Members Residing Overseas

Fact Sheet

November 2021
Naturalization Through Military Service 

Fact Sheet 2

Former service members of the United States 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, they may request a visa with the Department of State to enter the United States 

or request an Advance Parole Document for a humanitarian or significant public benefit parole to enter the 

United States, if eligible. This fact sheet provides information for former service members residing overseas 

who may seek an Advance Parole Document, which will permit them to appear at a port of entry and seek 

parole into the United States.

PROCESS 

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

naturalization interview and taking the Oath of Allegiance, in the United 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.

HOW TO APPLY • File Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, without fee, at www.uscis.gov/n-400 with all 

required evidence including:

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

gov/n-426), and if you have separated from service, a photocopy of your Certificate of Release 

from 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. 

s See N-400 form instructions for additional evidence requirements, including a police clearance 

from every place of residence outside the United States within 1 year of filing. 

• If necessary, file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, without fee, available at www.uscis.

gov/i-131 with USCIS and all the evidence required. Handwrite “Military N-400” at the top of Form 

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

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

of Support www.uscis.gov/i-134

SUBMIT FORMS N-400 AND I-131 FILED TOGETHER TO:

For U.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. State Hwy. 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067-8003
Naturalization Through Military Service 

Fact Sheet 3

CONTACT: 

For additional information about naturalization current or former service members may contact: 877-CIS-4MIL 

(877-247-4645, TTY 800-877-8339) or militaryinfo@uscis.dhs.gov. For general information about parole and 

other military related questions please contact immvets@hq.dhs.gov. 

Summary of Steps for Former Service Members Seeking Naturalization 

If you are: What to File: Additional Steps

A former service member filing 

from outside the United States

• File Form N-400 with the 

USCIS Lockbox.

• If necessary, file Form I-131 with 

the USCIS Lockbox concurrently 

with Form N-400 and select the 

option to request an Advance 

Parole Document.

Note: If you have previously been 

removed, USCIS will coordinate 

with ICE and forward your Form 

I-131 to ICE, if necessary, for 

adjudication. 

• If your request for an Advance 

Parole Document is approved, 

you will be contacted to 

schedule an interview at the 

USCIS office with jurisdiction 

over your naturalization 

application. 

• If your request for an Advance 

Parole Document is denied, 

USCIS may coordinate with 

CBP to help facilitate your 

interview at a land port of entry, 

if available. 

-USCIS-