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ROUTINE 
R 032323Z SEP 20 MID510001694070U 
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC 
TO NAVADMIN 
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC 
BT 
UNCLAS 
 
NAVADMIN 246/20
PASS TO OFFICE CODES: 
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// 
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// 
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/SEP// 
 
SUBJ/VACATED MINIMUM SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAILORS SEEKING O-6 OR 
HIGHER CERTIFICATION OF HONORABLE SERVICE THROUGH SUBMISSION OF 
UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (FORM N-426) AS 
PART OF THE NATURALIZATION PROCESS// 
 
REF/A/DOC/US DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA/25AUG20// 
REF/B/DOC/OUSD(PR)/31AUG20// 
REF/C/DOC/OUSD(PR)/13OCT17// 
REF/D/DOC/OUSD(PR)/24APR20// 
REF/E/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/ 131534ZJUL20// 
REF/F/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/191107ZAPR18// 
REF/G/DOC/US CODE/Title 8 U.S. Code Section 1440// 
 
NARR/REF A IS THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF 
COLUMBIA COURT ORDER IN THE CASE OF ANGE SAMMA VERSUS DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE, ET AL., CASE NUMBER 20-01104.   
REF B IS OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS 
MEMORANDUM, COMPLIANCE WITH COURT ORDER IN THE CASE OF ANGE SAMMA VERSUS 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, ET AL., CASE NUMBER 20-01104.   
REF C IS OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS 
MEMORANDUM, CERTIFICATION OF HONORABLE SERVICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE 
SELECTED RESERVE OF THE READY RESERVE AND MEMBERS OF THE ACTIVE 
COMPONENTS OF THE MILITARY OR NAVAL FORCES FOR PURPOSES OF 
NATURALIZATION.   
REF D IS OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 
FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS MEMORANDUM, CERTIFICATION OF HONORABLE 
SERVICE FOR PURPOSES OF NATURALIZATION.   
REF E IS NAVADMIN 199/20, PROCESSING TIME FOR CERTIFICATION OF HONORABLE 
SERVICE FOR PURPOSES OF NATURALIZATION.   
REF F IS NAVADMIN 099/18, CERTIFICATION OF HONORABLE SERVICE FOR PURPOSES OF 
NATURALIZATION APPLICATIONS.   
REF G IS TITLE 8 U.S. CODE SECTION 1440, NATURALIZATION THROUGH ACTIVE 
DUTY SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES DURING WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, 
KOREAN HOSTILITIES, VIETNAM HOSTILITIES, OR OTHER PERIODS OF 
MILITARY HOSTILITIES.// 
 
RMKS/1.  This NAVADMIN announces the minimum service requirements (MSR) for 
Sailors seeking O-6 or higher certification of honorable service through 
submission of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form 
N-426 (Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service) as part of the 
naturalization process have been vacated as directed by reference 
(a).  Accordingly, the MSRs in reference(c), and as restated in references 
(d) and (f), requiring completion of 180 days of continuous Active Duty 
service or 1 good year towards regular retirement in the case of members of 
the selected reserves prior to submitting USCIS Form N-426 are suspended in 
line with reference (b). 
 
2.  All other portions of reference (d) with regard to expeditious processing 
of USCIS Form N-426 by the first O-6 or higher in the permanent or temporary 
duty chain of command remain in effect.  The first O-6 in the Sailors 
temporary or permanent chain of command must process any USCIS Form N-426 
within 30 days of submission. Certification of service requires only an 
honest assessment of the actual character of the military service of the 
Sailor as being honorable, without regard to whether security vetting is 
complete at the time of the certification. 
 
3.  In line with reference (g), active duty and reserve members who have 
served honorably for any period of time are currently eligible for expedited 
naturalization processing by submitting USCIS Form N-426 for certification by 
their respective military service. 
 
4.  Commands shall ensure members who are not U.S. citizens are aware of the 
new policy with regards to obtaining USCIS Form N-426 honorable service 
certification.  Questions concerning USCIS Form N-426 certification 
requirements should be directed to the command legal officer or nearest 
Region Legal Service Office region citizenship program manager.  References 
(a) and (e) may be found at 
http://www.jag.navy.mil/organization/code_16_immigration_info.htm. 
 
5.  The Legal Assistance Division, Office of the Judge Advocate General  
(Code 16) retains oversight responsibility for the U.S. Navy Naturalization 
Program.  Advice and assistance regarding naturalization laws, regulations 
and procedures are available by contacting kathlene.somerville(at)navy.mil or 
calling her at 202-685-4639 (DSN 325). 
 
6.  Released by Vice Admiral John B. Nowell, Jr, N1.// 
 
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