Instructions table of changes

TABLE OF CHANGES – INSTRUCTIONS

Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service

OMB Number: 1615-0052

02/24/2015

Reason for Revision: FOD is requesting that the form instructions for Form N-426 follow the same format at the Form N-400 instructions. We are requesting that the instructions be in a full-page format, with standardized headings. This standardization is in accordance with the customer-friendly full-page format of the N-400 instructions.

FOD is also requesting clarifying verbiage in the form instructions. The Nebraska Service Center (NSC) reviews Form N-426 submitted by a military member, and issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) if the Form N-426 is incomplete. NSC has informed FOD that the main reason for issuing an RFE is when the Certifying Official either fails to select the boxes for honorable service or fails to complete the Certification section at the bottom. The revised instructions clarify this requirement. In addition, NSC rejects a number of forms that are certified by military recruiters, who are not authorized to act as certifiers. The revised instruction includes this prohibition.

Current Page Number and Section	Current Text	Proposed Text
Page 1, Header	[Page 1] [Left Side] Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [Right Side] OMB No. 1615-0053 ; Expires 04/30/2015 N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service	[Page 1] [Left Side] Seal [Middle] Instructions for Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [Right Side] USCIS Form N-426 OMB No. 1615-0053 Expires 04/30/2015
Page 1, Instructions	[Page 1] Instructions NOTE: Type or print clearly with black ink. Be sure this form and the complete return address are legible. Do not leave any questions unanswered. When appropriate, insert "None," "Not Applicable," or "N/A." For further assistance, contact the Military Help Line, 1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645) or visit www.uscis.gov/military.	[Delete]
Page 1, What Is the Purpose of This Form?	[Page 1] What Is the Purpose of This Form? This form is for current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are applying for naturalization under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Completion and certification of this form by the applicant and certifying official will serve as an authenticated certification of military service. Failure to provide the information requested, with the exception of your U.S. Social Security Number (SSN), may delay a final decision or result in denial of your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Your application will not be denied for failure to provide your SSN; however, it may prove difficult to verify your military service if you do not provide it since military records are indexed by SSN.	[Page 1] What Is the Purpose of Form N-426? This request is for current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces applying for naturalization under section 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Completion and certification of this request by the applicant and certifying official will serve as an authenticated certification of military service. NOTE: Recruiters are NOT authorized to certify Form N-426. Failure to provide the information requested, with the exception of your U.S. Social Security Number (SSN), may delay a final decision or result in denial of your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. However, USCIS will not deny your Form N-400 for failure to provide your SSN. But, it may be difficult to verify your military service if you do not provide it since USCIS searches military records using your SSN.
NEW		[Page 1] General Instructions [section header] USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS Web site. In order to view, print, or fill out our forms, you should use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not have Internet access, you may call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 and ask that we mail a form to you. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833. Signature. Each request must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this request, USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. Filing Fee. There is no filing fee. How To Fill Out Form N-426 1. Type or print legibly in black ink. 2. Requestors must complete Parts 1. – 4. Certifying Officials must complete Parts 5. – 8. Both requestors and certifiers must sign where indicated. 3. If you need extra space to complete any item within this request, use the space provided in Part 9. Additional Information. 4. Answer all questions fully and accurately.  If a question does not apply to you, type or print “N/A,” unless otherwise directed.  [Page 2] 5. USCIS ELIS Account Number (if any). If you have previously filed an application, petition, or request using the USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS), provide the USCIS ELIS Account Number you were issued by the system. The USCIS ELIS Account Number is not the same as an A-Number. If you were issued a USCIS ELIS Account Number, enter it in the space provided.
Page 1, How to File	[Page 1] How to File If you are applying for naturalization under section 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, submit this form along with: 1. Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; and 2. Copy of Form DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or NGB Form 22, National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service. Refer to "Where to File?" of the filing instructions for Form N-400.	[Page 2] What Evidence Should You Submit? Include the following documents pertaining to certification of your military service when you submit your completed and signed Form N-400: 1. Completed and certified Form N-426; and [No change] [Delete]
New		[Page 2] Processing Information Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your request we will check it for completeness. If you and the certifying official do not completely fill out and sign this request, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and USCIS may reject or deny your request. Requests for More Information. We may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your request. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. USCIS will return any requested originals when they are no longer needed.
Page 2, USCIS Privacy Act Statement	[Page 2] USCIS Privacy Act Statement AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this form, and the associated evidence, is collected under the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101, et seq. PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this form is to determine if you have established eligibility for the immigration benefit for which you are filing. The information you provide will be used to grant or deny the benefit sought. DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in denial of your form. ROUTINE USES: The information you provide on this form may be shared with other Federal, State, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations following approved routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS-USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System and DHS-USCIS-001 - Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records, which can be found at www.dhs.gov/privacy]. The information may also be made available, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.	[Page 3] USCIS Privacy Act Statement AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this request, and the associated evidence, is collected under the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101. PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this request is to determine if you have established eligibility for the immigration benefit for which you are filing. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will use the information you provide to grant or deny the benefit you are seeking. DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision in your case or result in denial of your request. ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this request with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS-USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System and DHS-USCIS-001 - Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records] which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
Page 2, Paperwork Reduction Act	[Page 2] Paperwork Reduction Act An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions and completing and submitting the form. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140, OMB No. 1615-0053. Do not mail your completed Form N-426 to this address.	[Page 3] Paperwork Reduction Act An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the request, preparing documents, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the request. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140, OMB No. 1615-0053. Do not mail your completed Form N-426 to this address.

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