Form N-426 (often searched as n426) is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form on which a military certifying official confirms that a service member is currently serving honorably. A service member who is applying for military naturalization under section 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act submits it with Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF and instructions are published by USCIS.
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What is N-426?
Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, is the USCIS form that establishes whether a naturalization applicant who is currently serving in the U.S. armed forces is serving honorably, as certified by an authorized official of the service member's branch.
People who serve or have served honorably in the armed forces are granted certain exemptions from the general requirements for naturalization. To establish eligibility, the law requires the executive department under which the person serves to certify that the service is honorable. Form N-426 is that certification. Once the service member and the certifying official complete their parts, the form serves as an authenticated record of military service, and the Department of Defense uses it to verify the service.
The form has four parts: Part 1, Information About Service Member; Part 2, Service Member's Certification and Signature; Part 3, Certifying Official Attestation; and Part 4, Remarks, where the certifying official reports any derogatory information. The service member completes Parts 1 and 2, and the certifying official completes Parts 3 and 4.
Form N-426 is not for people who have already left the service. They submit discharge documents instead, as explained under who needs it. It is also not the naturalization application itself: it supports Form N-400.
Who needs to file N-426?
You need Form N-426 if you are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces and are applying for military naturalization under section 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. You submit it with your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Only personnel with certifying authority may certify the form. The USCIS instructions say this is generally a military official in pay grade O-6 or higher, or GS-15 or higher, from your military branch. Recruiters cannot certify it. Check your service's own policy on who can certify Form N-426.
Do not submit Form N-426 if you served in the U.S. armed forces but have separated and are no longer serving. For each period of service, submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, NGB Form 22, National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service, or another official discharge document, with your Form N-400.
If you received a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking for Form N-426, you also complete it as described under when to file.
When to file N-426
File Form N-426 at the same time as your Form N-400 when you are currently serving and claiming eligibility for naturalization based on your service. The form has no separate due date of its own; it travels with the N-400.
If USCIS sent you a Request for Evidence asking for Form N-426, return the completed form to the office that requested the certification, not to a general address.
Because the certifying official must review your service record and sign Part 3, arrange the certification before you file. A form that is not properly completed by both you and the certifying official does not establish your eligibility, and USCIS may reject or deny your Form N-400.
How to fill out N-426
Enter your identification numbers
In Part 1, enter your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) in item 1 if you have one, and your DOD ID Number in item 2. Enter "N/A" where an item does not apply.
Enter your full legal name
Part 1, item 3: type your Family Name (Last Name), Given Name (First Name) and Middle Name, if applicable.
Add Social Security and online account numbers
Item 4 asks for your Social Security Number (if any); item 5 for your USCIS Online Account Number (if any), which you have only if you filed a form with a receipt number beginning with IOE. The OAN is not the same as an A-Number.
Enter your date of birth
Part 1, item 6: enter your date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format.
Sign the service member certification
In Part 2, read the release authorization and the penalty of perjury statement, then sign in item 1 and enter the date of signature in mm/dd/yyyy format. Use a handwritten signature.
Pass the form to your certifying official
Parts 3 and 4 are completed only by an authorized certifying official from your branch, generally pay grade O-6 or GS-15 or higher. A recruiter cannot certify.
Complete the certifying official's attestation
In Part 3 the official enters their full name, rank and title, the service member's name, the branch of service and the date service started (mm/dd/yyyy), marks honorably or not honorably, and marks Active Duty, Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or Other.
Enter the certifying official's details
Items 4 to 7 of Part 3: branch of service, unit (such as military base, vessel, battalion or brigade), work telephone number and military email address.
Have the official sign Part 3
The certifying official signs in item 8 and enters the date of signature in mm/dd/yyyy format.
Add any remarks in Part 4
The certifying official lists any derogatory information on character, loyalty, investigations, pending court martials, convictions or discharges other than honorable. If more space is needed, attach a signed written statement.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every applicable item is complete or marked N/A and that both signatures are in place. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, with the edition date and page numbers visible on every page, and file it with Form N-400.
How to submit N-426
Form N-426 is submitted with Form N-400, either online with the electronic N-400 or by mail with a paper N-400. The form has no separate filing channel of its own.
- Online: file or upload Form N-426 with the electronic Form N-400.
- By mail: send it with your paper Form N-400 to the Direct Filing Addresses listed by USCIS for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
- After a Request for Evidence: return the form to the office that requested the certification.
A filing fee question is answered by Form G-1055, available at uscis.gov/forms, and the USCIS Fee Schedule page. Do not mail the completed form to the Camp Springs, MD address printed in the Paperwork Reduction Act notice; that address is only for comments on the burden estimate.
If you print the form to mail it, make sure the edition date and page numbers show at the bottom of every page and that all pages come from the same edition; USCIS may reject a form with missing or mismatched pages. A photocopy, fax or scan of the original with a handwritten ink signature is valid for filing. For questions, call the military help line at 877-CIS-4MIL (877-247-4645). FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting Form N-426 unsigned; USCIS says it will reject any unsigned form, and both the service member and the certifying official must sign.
- Typing or stamping a name in place of a handwritten signature; USCIS does not accept a stamped or typewritten name as a signature.
- Having a recruiter or other person without certifying authority complete Part 3; the instructions say only authorized personnel, generally pay grade O-6 or GS-15 or higher, may certify.
- Submitting Form N-426 after you have separated from service, instead of a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22 or other official discharge document for each period of service.
- Leaving a question blank when it does not apply to you, instead of entering "N/A" in Parts 1 and 2.
- Mailing the completed form to the Camp Springs, MD address in the Paperwork Reduction Act notice, which USCIS says not to use for completed forms.
- Mailing printed pages that are missing, or that come from a different form edition, or that hide the edition date and page numbers; USCIS may reject the form.
- Filing the form without the certifying official's completed Parts 3 and 4, which means the form does not establish eligibility and the N-400 may be rejected or denied.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form N-426 used for?
Form N-426 is the USCIS request for certification of military or naval service. A military certifying official uses it to confirm that you are currently serving honorably, which supports your Form N-400 when you apply for military naturalization under section 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
What does n426 mean on the form?
N426 is how many people type Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service. It is the same USCIS form, edition 03/13/26 on this page, submitted with Form N-400 by service members who are currently serving.
Who can certify Form N-426?
Only personnel with certifying authority from your military branch, generally an official in pay grade O-6 or higher or GS-15 or higher. Recruiters cannot certify it. Check your service's own policy on who is authorized to certify.
Do I need Form N-426 if I already left the military?
No. If you have separated from service, do not submit Form N-426. For each period of service, submit a copy of your DD Form 214, NGB Form 22 or another official discharge document with your Form N-400.
Where do I file Form N-426?
File it with Form N-400: upload it with the electronic N-400, or mail it with a paper N-400 to the Direct Filing Addresses USCIS lists for that form. If you got a Request for Evidence, return it to the office that requested it.
Is there a fee for Form N-426?
USCIS points to Form G-1055, available at uscis.gov/forms, and its Fee Schedule page for the fee that applies to this form. Check them for the current amount before you file.
Can I sign Form N-426 with a scanned copy?
USCIS accepts a photocopy, fax or scan of the original form if it shows a handwritten ink signature. It does not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature, and it rejects any unsigned form.
Can I fill out Form N-426 online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the fillable PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form or arrange the certification; you submit it with Form N-400 through the USCIS channels.
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