N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service
Applicants for naturalization use this form to request that the Department of Defense verify their military or naval service.
What This Form Can Help You Do
Form Details
Dates are listed in mm/dd/yy format.
If you complete and print this form to mail it in, make sure that the form edition date and page numbers are visible at the bottom of all pages and that all pages are from the same edition of the form. If any of the form’s pages are missing or are from a different edition of the form, we may reject your form.
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Return the form to the office that requested the certification.
Filing Tips: Go to our Tips for Filing Forms by Mail page for information on how to help ensure we will accept your application.
Don’t forget to sign your form. We will reject any unsigned form.
Please read the instructions carefully and review the Supplemental provided here (PDF, 141.63 KB) to help you complete the form. If relevant, please see our M-599, Naturalization Information for Military Personnel (PDF, 421.7 KB) brochure.
If you are claiming eligibility for naturalization based on your service in the U.S. armed forces, you must submit a signed and certified Form N-426 with your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Only military personnel serving in pay grade O-6 or above and equivalent civilian personnel (GS-15 or above) with proper authorization may certify your Form N-426.
If you previously served in the U.S. armed forces, you must 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 an equivalent discharge document for any periods of service you have completed. You may submit an uncertified Form N-426 as long as your DD-214, NGB-22, or equivalent document covers all applicable periods of service and lists the type of separation and character of service.