Around the world, countless individuals need the relevant information for US citizenship in the US military. Immigration Direct can be a tricky process. Military members marrying non-US citizens or citizens in the military with no citizenship whatsoever face particular issues. Learn more information about US citizenship and the military. US citizenship is made simple at our unique site. From answers to military members marrying non-US citizens or citizens in the military with no citizenship, we have the US citizenship military data you need.

This section was created specifically to help people with the most commonly-asked questions about US citizenship and the US military.


Click on the links to visit the other relevant sections:

• General

  
  

• Dual Citizenship

  
  

• Military

  
  

• Children and Citizenship

  
  

MILITARY

1. If I have served in the U.S. Military can this help in my application for citizenship?
   
   If a person has been a permanent resident or green card holder and has been serving, or has served, in the U.S. Military for three years or longer, s/he may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. In addition, some of the other requirements for citizenship could be waived. Also, if one has fought for the U.S. during a period of active hostilities, such s/he may be able to file for citizenship directly without even having been a permanent resident of the U.S.! It is advisable to discuss these issues with an immigration attorney if you believe that you fall into one of these categories and could be eligible for expedited citizenship processing.
   
   
2. But doesn't serving in a foreign army result in automatic loss of US citizenship?
   
   
   No. As explained above, essentially nothing causes automatic loss of US citizenship any more. If you join a foreign army, you can lose your US citizenship if you acted with the intent of giving it up. Otherwise, you can still keep it. Current US law says that foreign military service will result in loss of US citizenship if the person served as an officer (commissioned or non-commissioned) or the foreign military force is engaged in hostilities against the US; the service was voluntary; and (most importantly) the person intended to give up his US citizenship.
   
   Current US policy goes further. Unless a dual citizen is serving in a "policy level position" in a foreign government, commits treason against the US (e.g., by fighting the US voluntarily during wartime), or acts in a manner considered totally inconsistent with any possible intent to keep US citizenship, the State Department is unlikely to take any action. Further, the current policy statement on foreign military service recognizes that dual citizens sometimes find themselves legally obligated to participate in the military forces of their other country of citizenship, and can do so in such situations without endangering their US status.
   
   
3. Why do I need to register with the Selective Service?
   
   Selective Service registration allows the United States Government to maintain a list of names of men who may be called into military service in case of a national emergency requiring rapid expansion of the U.S. Armed Forces. By registering all young men, the Selective Service can ensure that any future draft will be fair and equitable.
   
   Federal law requires that men who are at least 18 years old, but not yet 26 years old, must be registered with Selective Service. This includes all male non-citizens within these age limits who permanently reside in the United States. Men with "green cards" (lawful permanent residents) must register. Men living in the United States without U.S. of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly known as the INS) documentation (undocumented aliens) must also register. But men cannot register after reaching age 26.
   
   
4. How do I register with selective services?
   
   Failure to register for the Selective Service may (in certain instances) make you ineligible for certain immigration benefits, such as citizenship.
   • You can register for Selective Service Online. For instructions on registering with Selective Service as an immigrant, please see the Selective Service System’s "Registration Information." at http://www.sss.gov
   • If you would like to confirm that you or someone else are registered with Selective Service, please see the Selective Service System's "Check a Registration" Webpage (http://www.sss.gov).

   If you did register with the Selective Service but you don't know your registration number, you can get you're number by calling or writing to the Selective Service Administration. You can call their machine-operated toll-free number at 888-655-1825. Have your date of birth and social security number ready. To reach a Selective Service representative, call 847-688-6888 or write to the Selective Service at P.O. Box 94636, Palatine, IL 60094-4636. Be sure to include your name, date of birth, and social security number.
   
   
5. What is Selective Service?
   
   The Selective Service is the Federal agency responsible for providing manpower to the U.S. Armed Forces in an emergency. Male applicants generally need to register with the Selective Service before applying for naturalization.
   1. Selective Service - If you are male, you generally need to register with the Selective Service before applying for naturalization. If you are male and lived in the United States (in any status other than as a lawful nonimmigrant) at any time between your 18th and 26th birthdays, you must be registered with the Selective Service System. If you are male and entered the United States after you turned 26 years old, you do not have to register with the Selective Service.
   2. If you were required to register, you will need to provide your Selective service number to U.S. of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly known as the INS) when you apply. You may get your Selective Service number by calling 1-847-688-6888 if you were born after December 31, 1959. If you were born before March 29, 1957, you should call 1-703-605-4047.
   3. If you have not registered, you must register at a United States post office or on the Internet to receive a Selective Service number. The Selective Service System Internet site can be reached at http://www.sss.gov. You must have a Social Security number to register on the Internet. If you were required to register but did not register before you turned 26, you must do the following:
   • Call 1-847-688-688 and complete the Selective Service System's Questionnaire Form (males born before March 29, 1957, should call 1-703-605-4047);
   • Receive a "status information letter" from the Selective Service; and
   • Send the "status information letter" with your application.
   6. What is a Service Center?
      
      There are four United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly known as the INS) Service Centers in the United States. You have to send your INS applications to one of these Service Centers based on the State where you live.