U.S. Service Members and Veterans May File the Form N-400 Online

On May 6, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that U.S. service members and veterans may now file their Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, online [PDF version]. This new policy promises to make it easier for U.S. service members and veterans to file the Form N-400.

The new policy will allow U.S. service members and veterans to not only file the Form N-400 online, but also check their case status and receive notices from the USCIS through the online portal.

Special rules for biometric appointments apply to certain cases involving U.S. service members currently serving overseas. In those cases, the USCIS may use previously submitted biometrics if they are available. U.S. service members stationed outside the United States may submit two properly completed FD-258 fingerprint cars, and two passport-style photos taken by either military police or officials with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. embassy, or U.S. consulate.

The USCIS still accepts paper version of the forms by mail. In order to file electronically, an applicant must first create a USCIS online account at myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov.

Those seeking to apply for naturalization should consult with an experienced immigration attorney for an assessment of eligibility and guidance on completing Form N-400 [see article].