1. U.S. Code
  2. title 8
  3. chapter 12
  4. subchapter III
  5. part II
  6. § 1431

Collapse to view only § 1431. Children born outside the United States and lawfully admitted for permanent residence; conditions under which citizenship automatically acquired

§ 1421. Naturalization authority
(a) Authority in Attorney General
(b) Court authority to administer oaths
(1) JurisdictionSubject to section 1448(c) of this title—
(A) General jurisdiction
(B) Exclusive authority
(2) Information
(A) General informationIn the case of a court exercising authority under paragraph (1), in accordance with procedures established by the Attorney General—
(i) the applicant for naturalization shall notify the Attorney General of the intent to be naturalized before the court, and
(ii) the Attorney General—(I) shall forward to the court (not later than 10 days after the date of approval of an application for naturalization in the case of a court which has provided notice under paragraph (1)(B)) such information as may be necessary to administer the oath of allegiance under section 1448(a) of this title, and(II) shall promptly forward to the court a certificate of naturalization (prepared by the Attorney General).
(B) Assignment of individuals in the case of exclusive authorityIf an eligible court has provided notice under paragraph (1)(B), the Attorney General shall inform each person (residing within the jurisdiction of the court), at the time of the approval of the person’s application for naturalization, of—
(i) the court’s exclusive authority to administer the oath of allegiance under section 1448(a) of this title to such a person during the period specified in paragraph (3)(A)(i), and
(ii) the date or dates (if any) under paragraph (3)(B) on which the court has scheduled oath administration ceremonies.
If more than one eligible court in an area has provided notice under paragraph (1)(B), the Attorney General shall permit the person, at the time of the approval, to choose the court to which the information will be forwarded for administration of the oath of allegiance under this section.
(3) Scope of exclusive authority
(A) Limited period and advance notice requiredThe exclusive authority of a court to administer the oath of allegiance under paragraph (1)(B) shall apply with respect to a person—
(i) only during the 45-day period beginning on the date on which the Attorney General certifies to the court that an applicant is eligible for naturalization, and
(ii) only if the court has notified the Attorney General, prior to the date of certification of eligibility, of the day or days (during such 45-day period) on which the court has scheduled oath administration ceremonies.
(B) Authority of Attorney General
(C) Waiver of exclusive authority
(4) Issuance of certificates
(5) Eligible courtsFor purposes of this section, the term “eligible court” means—
(A) a district court of the United States in any State, or
(B) any court of record in any State having a seal, a clerk, and jurisdiction in actions in law or equity, or law and equity, in which the amount in controversy is unlimited.
(c) Judicial review
(d) Sole procedure
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 310, 66 Stat. 239; Pub. L. 85–508, § 25, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 86–3, § 20(c), Mar. 18, 1959, 73 Stat. 13; Pub. L. 87–301, § 17, Sept. 26, 1961, 75 Stat. 656; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(s), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 401(a), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5038; Pub. L. 102–232, title I, § 102(a), title III, § 305(a), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1734, 1749; Pub. L. 103–416, title II, § 219(u), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4318.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1421

§ 1422. Eligibility for naturalization

The right of a person to become a naturalized citizen of the United States shall not be denied or abridged because of race or sex or because such person is married.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 311, 66 Stat. 239; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(t), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1422

§ 1423. Requirements as to understanding the English language, history, principles and form of government of the United States
(a) No person except as otherwise provided in this subchapter shall hereafter be naturalized as a citizen of the United States upon his own application who cannot demonstrate—
(1) an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language: Provided, That the requirements of this paragraph relating to ability to read and write shall be met if the applicant can read or write simple words and phrases to the end that a reasonable test of his literacy shall be made and that no extraordinary or unreasonable condition shall be imposed upon the applicant; and
(2) a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States.
(b)
(1) The requirements of subsection (a) shall not apply to any person who is unable because of physical or developmental disability or mental impairment to comply therewith.
(2) The requirement of subsection (a)(1) shall not apply to any person who, on the date of the filing of the person’s application for naturalization as provided in section 1445 of this title, either—
(A) is over fifty years of age and has been living in the United States for periods totaling at least twenty years subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence, or
(B) is over fifty-five years of age and has been living in the United States for periods totaling at least fifteen years subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence.
(3) The Attorney General, pursuant to regulations, shall provide for special consideration, as determined by the Attorney General, concerning the requirement of subsection (a)(2) with respect to any person who, on the date of the filing of the person’s application for naturalization as provided in section 1445 of this title, is over sixty-five years of age and has been living in the United States for periods totaling at least twenty years subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 312, 66 Stat. 239; Pub. L. 95–579, § 3, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2474; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 403, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5039; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(m)(2), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750; Pub. L. 103–416, title I, § 108(a), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4309.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1423

§ 1424. Prohibition upon the naturalization of persons opposed to government or law, or who favor totalitarian forms of government
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 405(b) of this Act, no person shall hereafter be naturalized as a citizen of the United States—
(1) who advocates or teaches, or who is a member of or affiliated with any organization that advocates or teaches, opposition to all organized government; or
(2) who is a member of or affiliated with (A) the Communist Party of the United States; (B) any other totalitarian party of the United States; (C) the Communist Political Association; (D) the Communist or other totalitarian party of any State of the United States, of any foreign state, or of any political or geographical subdivision of any foreign state; (E) any section, subsidiary, branch, affiliate, or subdivision of any such association or party; or (F) the direct predecessors or successors of any such association or party, regardless of what name such group or organization may have used, may now bear, or may hereafter adopt, unless such alien establishes that he did not have knowledge or reason to believe at the time he became a member of or affiliated with such an organization (and did not thereafter and prior to the date upon which such organization was so registered or so required to be registered have such knowledge or reason to believe) that such organization was a Communist-front organization; or
(3) who, although not within any of the other provisions of this section, advocates the economic, international, and governmental doctrines of world communism or the establishment in the United States of a totalitarian dictatorship, or who is a member of or affiliated with any organization that advocates the economic, international, and governmental doctrines of world communism or the establishment in the United States of a totalitarian dictatorship, either through its own utterances or through any written or printed publications issued or published by or with the permission or consent of or under authority of such organization or paid for by the funds of such organization; or
(4) who advocates or teaches or who is a member of or affiliated with any organization that advocates or teaches (A) the overthrow by force or violence or other unconstitutional means of the Government of the United States or of all forms of law; or (B) the duty, necessity, or propriety of the unlawful assaulting or killing of any officer or officers (either of specific individuals or of officers generally) of the Government of the United States or of any other organized government because of his or their official character; or (C) the unlawful damage, injury, or destruction of property; or (D) sabotage; or
(5) who writes or publishes or causes to be written or published, or who knowingly circulates, distributes, prints, or displays, or knowingly causes to be circulated, distributed, printed, published, or displayed, or who knowingly has in his possession for the purpose of circulation, publication, distribution, or display, any written or printed matter, advocating or teaching opposition to all organized government, or advocating (A) the overthrow by force, violence or other unconstitutional means of the Government of the United States or of all forms of law; or (B) the duty, necessity, or propriety of the unlawful assaulting or killing of any officer or officers (either of specific individuals or of officers generally) of the Government of the United States or of any other organized government, because of his or their official character; or (C) the unlawful damage, injury, or destruction of property; or (D) sabotage; or (E) the economic, international, and governmental doctrines of world communism or the establishment in the United States of a totalitarian dictatorship; or
(6) who is a member of or affiliated with any organization that writes, circulates, distributes, prints, publishes, or displays, or causes to be written, circulated, distributed, printed, published, or displayed, or that has in its possession for the purpose of circulation, distribution, publication, issue, or display, any written or printed matter of the character described in subparagraph (5) of this subsection.
(b) The provisions of this section or of any other section of this chapter shall not be construed as declaring that any of the organizations referred to in this section or in any other section of this chapter do not advocate the overthrow of the Government of the United States by force, violence, or other unconstitutional means.
(c) The provisions of this section shall be applicable to any applicant for naturalization who at any time within a period of ten years immediately preceding the filing of the application for naturalization or after such filing and before taking the final oath of citizenship is, or has been found to be within any of the classes enumerated within this section, notwithstanding that at the time the application is filed he may not be included within such classes.
(d) Any person who is within any of the classes described in subsection (a) solely because of past membership in, or past affiliation with, a party or organization may be naturalized without regard to the provisions of subsection (c) if such person establishes that such membership or affiliation is or was involuntary, or occurred and terminated prior to the attainment by such alien of the age of sixteen years, or that such membership or affiliation is or was by operation of law, or was for purposes of obtaining employment, food rations, or other essentials of living and where necessary for such purposes.
(e) A person may be naturalized under this subchapter without regard to the prohibitions in subsections (a)(2) and (c) of this section if the person—
(1) is otherwise eligible for naturalization;
(2) is within the class described in subsection (a)(2) solely because of past membership in, or past affiliation with, a party or organization described in that subsection;
(3) does not fall within any other of the classes described in that subsection; and
(4) is determined by the Director of Central Intelligence, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense when Department of Defense activities are relevant to the determination, and with the concurrence of the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to have made a contribution to the national security or to the national intelligence mission of the United States.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 313, 66 Stat. 240; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(u), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(1), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 309(b)(13), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1759; Pub. L. 103–416, title II, § 219(v), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4318; Pub. L. 106–120, title III, § 306, Dec. 3, 1999, 113 Stat. 1612; Pub. L. 108–177, title III, § 373, Dec. 13, 2003, 117 Stat. 2628.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1424

§ 1425. Ineligibility to naturalization of deserters from the Armed Forces

A person who, at any time during which the United States has been or shall be at war, deserted or shall desert the military, air, or naval forces of the United States, or who, having been duly enrolled, departed, or shall depart from the jurisdiction of the district in which enrolled, or who, whether or not having been duly enrolled, went or shall go beyond the limits of the United States, with intent to avoid any draft into the military, air, or naval service, lawfully ordered, shall, upon conviction thereof by a court martial or a court of competent jurisdiction, be permanently ineligible to become a citizen of the United States; and such deserters and evaders shall be forever incapable of holding any office of trust or of profit under the United States, or of exercising any rights of citizens thereof.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 314, 66 Stat. 241.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1425

§ 1426. Citizenship denied alien relieved of service in Armed Forces because of alienage
(a) Permanent ineligibility
(b) Conclusiveness of records
(c) Service in armed forces of foreign country
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 315, 66 Stat. 242; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(v), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 404, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5039.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1426

§ 1427. Requirements of naturalization
(a) Residence
(b) Absences
Absence from the United States of more than six months but less than one year during the period for which continuous residence is required for admission to citizenship, immediately preceding the date of filing the application for naturalization, or during the period between the date of filing the application and the date of any hearing under section 1447(a) of this title, shall break the continuity of such residence, unless the applicant shall establish to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that he did not in fact abandon his residence in the United States during such period.
Absence from the United States for a continuous period of one year or more during the period for which continuous residence is required for admission to citizenship (whether preceding or subsequent to the filing of the application for naturalization) shall break the continuity of such residence, except that in the case of a person who has been physically present and residing in the United States, after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence, for an uninterrupted period of at least one year, and who thereafter is employed by or under contract with the Government of the United States or an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General, or is employed by an American firm or corporation engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce of the United States, or a subsidiary thereof more than 50 per centum of whose stock is owned by an American firm or corporation, or is employed by a public international organization of which the United States is a member by treaty or statute and by which the alien was not employed until after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence, no period of absence from the United States shall break the continuity of residence if—
(1) prior to the beginning of such period of employment (whether such period begins before or after his departure from the United States), but prior to the expiration of one year of continuous absence from the United States, the person has established to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that his absence from the United States for such period is to be on behalf of such Government, or for the purpose of carrying on scientific research on behalf of such institution, or to be engaged in the development of such foreign trade and commerce or whose residence abroad is necessary to the protection of the property rights in such countries in such firm or corporation, or to be employed by a public international organization of which the United States is a member by treaty or statute and by which the alien was not employed until after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence; and
(2) such person proves to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that his absence from the United States for such period has been for such purpose.
The spouse and dependent unmarried sons and daughters who are members of the household of a person who qualifies for the benefits of this subsection shall also be entitled to such benefits during the period for which they were residing abroad as dependent members of the household of the person.
(c) Physical presence
(d) Moral character
(e) Determination
(f) Persons making extraordinary contributions to national security
(1) Whenever the Director of Central Intelligence, the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Immigration determine that an applicant otherwise eligible for naturalization has made an extraordinary contribution to the national security of the United States or to the conduct of United States intelligence activities, the applicant may be naturalized without regard to the residence and physical presence requirements of this section, or to the prohibitions of section 1424 of this title, and no residence within a particular State or district of the Service in the United States shall be required: Provided, That the applicant has continuously resided in the United States for at least one year prior to naturalization: Provided further, That the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any alien described in clauses (i) through (v) of section 1158(b)(2)(A) of this title.
(2) An applicant for naturalization under this subsection may be administered the oath of allegiance under section 1448(a) of this title by any district court of the United States, without regard to the residence of the applicant. Proceedings under this subsection shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of intelligence sources, methods and activities.
(3) The number of aliens naturalized pursuant to this subsection in any fiscal year shall not exceed five. The Director of Central Intelligence shall inform the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives within a reasonable time prior to the filing of each application under the provisions of this subsection.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 316, 66 Stat. 242; Pub. L. 97–116, § 14, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 99–169, title VI, § 601, Dec. 4, 1985, 99 Stat. 1007; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, §§ 402, 407(c)(2), (d)(1), (e)(1), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5038, 5041, 5046; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 308(g)(7)(F), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–624; Pub. L. 109–149, title V, § 518, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2882.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1427

§ 1428. Temporary absence of persons performing religious duties

Any person who is authorized to perform the ministerial or priestly functions of a religious denomination having a bona fide organization within the United States, or any person who is engaged solely by a religious denomination or by an interdenominational mission organization having a bona fide organization within the United States as a missionary, brother, nun, or sister, who (1) has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, (2) has at any time thereafter and before filing an application for naturalization been physically present and residing within the United States for an uninterrupted period of at least one year, and (3) has heretofore been or may hereafter be absent temporarily from the United States in connection with or for the purpose of performing the ministerial or priestly functions of such religious denomination, or serving as a missionary, brother, nun, or sister, shall be considered as being physically present and residing in the United States for the purpose of naturalization within the meaning of section 1427(a) of this title, notwithstanding any such absence from the United States, if he shall in all other respects comply with the requirements of the naturalization law. Such person shall prove to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that his absence from the United States has been solely for the purpose of performing the ministerial or priestly functions of such religious denomination, or of serving as a missionary, brother, nun, or sister.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 317, 66 Stat. 243; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(3), (d)(2), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1428

§ 1429. Prerequisite to naturalization; burden of proof

Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, no person shall be naturalized unless he has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence in accordance with all applicable provisions of this chapter. The burden of proof shall be upon such person to show that he entered the United States lawfully, and the time, place, and manner of such entry into the United States, but in presenting such proof he shall be entitled to the production of his immigrant visa, if any, or of other entry document, if any, and of any other documents and records, not considered by the Attorney General to be confidential, pertaining to such entry, in the custody of the Service. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 405(b),1

1 See References in Text note below.
and except as provided in sections 1439 and 1440 of this title no person shall be naturalized against whom there is outstanding a final finding of deportability pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued under the provisions of this chapter or any other Act; and no application for naturalization shall be considered by the Attorney General if there is pending against the applicant a removal proceeding pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued under the provisions of this chapter or any other Act: Provided, That the findings of the Attorney General in terminating removal proceedings or in canceling the removal of an alien pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall not be deemed binding in any way upon the Attorney General with respect to the question of whether such person has established his eligibility for naturalization as required by this subchapter.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 318, 66 Stat. 244; Pub. L. 90–633, § 4, Oct. 24, 1968, 82 Stat. 1344; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(4), (d)(3), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 308(e)(1)(O), (15), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–620, 3009–621.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1429

§ 1430. Married persons and employees of certain nonprofit organizations
(a) Any person whose spouse is a citizen of the United States, or any person who obtained status as a lawful permanent resident by reason of his or her status as a spouse or child of a United States citizen who battered him or her or subjected him or her to extreme cruelty, may be naturalized upon compliance with all the requirements of this subchapter except the provisions of paragraph (1) of section 1427(a) of this title if such person immediately preceding the date of filing his application for naturalization has resided continuously, after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence, within the United States for at least three years, and during the three years immediately preceding the date of filing his application has been living in marital union with the citizen spouse (except in the case of a person who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a United States citizen spouse or parent), who has been a United States citizen during all of such period, and has been physically present in the United States for periods totaling at least half of that time and has resided within the State or the district of the Service in the United States in which the applicant filed his application for at least three months.
(b) Any person, (1) whose spouse is (A) a citizen of the United States, (B) in the employment of the Government of the United States, or of an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General, or of an American firm or corporation engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce of the United States, or a subsidiary thereof, or of a public international organization in which the United States participates by treaty or statute, or is authorized to perform the ministerial or priestly functions of a religious denomination having a bona fide organization within the United States, or is engaged solely as a missionary by a religious denomination or by an interdenominational mission organization having a bona fide organization within the United States, and (C) regularly stationed abroad in such employment, and (2) who is in the United States at the time of naturalization, and (3) who declares before the Attorney General in good faith an intention to take up residence within the United States immediately upon the termination of such employment abroad of the citizen spouse, may be naturalized upon compliance with all the requirements of the naturalization laws, except that no prior residence or specified period of physical presence within the United States or within a State or a district of the Service in the United States or proof thereof shall be required.
(c) Any person who (1) is employed by a bona fide United States incorporated nonprofit organization which is principally engaged in conducting abroad through communications media the dissemination of information which significantly promotes United States interests abroad and which is recognized as such by the Attorney General, and (2) has been so employed continuously for a period of not less than five years after a lawful admission for permanent residence, and (3) who files his application for naturalization while so employed or within six months following the termination thereof, and (4) who is in the United States at the time of naturalization, and (5) who declares before the Attorney General in good faith an intention to take up residence within the United States immediately upon termination of such employment, may be naturalized upon compliance with all the requirements of this subchapter except that no prior residence or specified period of physical presence within the United States or any State or district of the Service in the United States, or proof thereof, shall be required.
(d) Any person who is the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a United States citizen, whose citizen spouse, parent, or child dies during a period of honorable service in an active duty status in the Armed Forces of the United States and who, in the case of a surviving spouse, was living in marital union with the citizen spouse at the time of his death, may be naturalized upon compliance with all the requirements of this subchapter except that no prior residence or specified physical presence within the United States, or within a State or a district of the Service in the United States shall be required. For purposes of this subsection, the terms “United States citizen” and “citizen spouse” include a person granted posthumous citizenship under section 1440–1 of this title.
(e)
(1) In the case of a person lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States who is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, is authorized to accompany such member and reside abroad with the member pursuant to the member’s official orders, and is so accompanying and residing with the member in marital union, such residence and physical presence abroad shall be treated, for purposes of subsection (a) and section 1427(a) of this title, as residence and physical presence in—
(A) the United States; and
(B) any State or district of the Department of Homeland Security in the United States.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a spouse described in paragraph (1) shall be eligible for naturalization proceedings overseas pursuant to section 1443a of this title.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 319, 66 Stat. 244; Pub. L. 85–697, § 2, Aug. 20, 1958, 72 Stat. 687; Pub. L. 90–215, § 1(a), Dec. 18, 1967, 81 Stat. 661; Pub. L. 90–369, June 29, 1968, 82 Stat. 279; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(b)(1), (c)(5), (d)(4), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5040, 5041; Pub. L. 106–386, div. B, title V, § 1503(e), Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1522; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title XVII, § 1703(f)(1), (h), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1695, 1696; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, § 674(a), Jan. 28, 2008

CITE AS: 8 USC 1430

§ 1431. Children born outside the United States and lawfully admitted for permanent residence; conditions under which citizenship automatically acquired
(a) In general A child born outside of the United States automatically becomes a citizen of the United States when all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:
(1) At least one parent of the child is a citizen of the United States, whether by birth or naturalization.
(2) The child is under the age of eighteen years.
(3) The child is residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence.
(b) Adoption
(c) Children of military and Federal Government personnel residing abroadSubsection (a)(3) is deemed satisfied in the case of a child who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States if—
(1) the child is residing in the legal and physical custody of a citizen parent who is—
(A) stationed and residing abroad as an employee of the Government of the United States; or
(B) residing abroad in marital union with an employee of the Government of the United States who is stationed abroad; or
(2) the child is—
(A) residing in the legal and physical custody of a citizen parent who is—
(i) stationed and residing abroad as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; or
(ii) authorized to accompany and reside abroad with a member of the Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the member’s official orders, and is so accompanying and residing abroad with the member in marital union; and
(B) authorized to accompany such member and reside abroad with the member pursuant to the member’s official orders, and is so accompanying and residing with the member.
(d) Name and birth date
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 320, 66 Stat. 245; Pub. L. 95–417, § 4, Oct. 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 917; Pub. L. 97–116, § 18(m), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1620; Pub. L. 99–653, § 14, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3657; Pub. L. 100–525, §§ 8(l), 9(w), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2618, 2621; Pub. L. 106–395, title I, § 101(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1631; Pub. L. 113–74, § 2, Jan. 16, 2014, 127 Stat. 1212; Pub. L. 116–133, § 2(a), Mar. 26, 2020, 134 Stat. 274.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1431

§ 1432. Repealed. Pub. L. 106–395, title I, § 103(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1632

CITE AS: 8 USC 1432

§ 1433. Children born and residing outside the United States; conditions for acquiring certificate of citizenship
(a) Application by citizen parents; requirementsA parent who is a citizen of the United States (or, if the citizen parent has died during the preceding 5 years, a citizen grandparent or citizen legal guardian) may apply for naturalization on behalf of a child born outside of the United States who has not acquired citizenship automatically under section 1431 of this title. The Attorney General shall issue a certificate of citizenship to such applicant upon proof, to the satisfaction of the Attorney General, that the following conditions have been fulfilled:
(1) At least one parent (or, at the time of his or her death, was) is 1
1 So in original. The word “is” probably should appear after “parent”.
a citizen of the United States, whether by birth or naturalization.
(2) The United States citizen parent—
(A) has (or, at the time of his or her death, had) been physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years; or
(B) has (or, at the time of his or her death, had) a citizen parent who has been physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years.
(3) The child is under the age of eighteen years.
(4) The child is residing outside of the United States in the legal and physical custody of the applicant (or, if the citizen parent is deceased, an individual who does not object to the application).
(5) The child is temporarily present in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission, and is maintaining such lawful status.
(b) Attainment of citizenship status; receipt of certificate
(c) Adopted children
(d) Children of Armed Forces membersIn the case of a child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is authorized to accompany such member and reside abroad with the member pursuant to the member’s official orders, and is so accompanying and residing with the member—
(1) any period of time during which the member of the Armed Forces is residing abroad pursuant to official orders shall be treated, for purposes of subsection (a)(2)(A), as physical presence in the United States;
(2) subsection (a)(5) shall not apply; and
(3) the oath of allegiance described in subsection (b) may be subscribed to abroad pursuant to section 1443a of this title.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 322, 66 Stat. 246; Pub. L. 95–417, § 6, Oct. 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 918; Pub. L. 97–116, § 18(m), (n), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1620, 1621; Pub. L. 99–653, § 16, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3658; Pub. L. 100–525, § 8(l), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2618; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(b)(2), (c)(6), (d)(5), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5040–5042;

CITE AS: 8 USC 1433

§ 1434. Repealed. Pub. L. 95–417, § 7, Oct. 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 918

CITE AS: 8 USC 1434

§ 1435. Former citizens regaining citizenship
(a) Requirements
Any person formerly a citizen of the United States who (1) prior to September 22, 1922, lost United States citizenship by marriage to an alien, or by the loss of United States citizenship of such person’s spouse, or (2) on or after September 22, 1922, lost United States citizenship by marriage to an alien ineligible to citizenship, may if no other nationality was acquired by an affirmative act of such person other than by marriage be naturalized upon compliance with all requirements of this subchapter, except—
(1) no period of residence or specified period of physical presence within the United States or within the State or district of the Service in the United States where the application is filed shall be required; and
(2) the application need not set forth that it is the intention of the applicant to reside permanently within the United States.
Such person, or any person who was naturalized in accordance with the provisions of section 317(a) of the Nationality Act of 1940, shall have, from and after her naturalization, the status of a native-born or naturalized citizen of the United States, whichever status existed in the case of such person prior to the loss of citizenship: Provided, That nothing contained herein or in any other provision of law shall be construed as conferring United States citizenship retroactively upon such person, or upon any person who was naturalized in accordance with the provisions of section 317(a) of the Nationality Act of 1940, during any period in which such person was not a citizen.
(b) Additional requirements
(c) Oath of allegiance
(1) A woman who was a citizen of the United States at birth and (A) who has or is believed to have lost her United States citizenship solely by reason of her marriage prior to September 22, 1922, to an alien, or by her marriage on or after such date to an alien ineligible to citizenship, (B) whose marriage to such alien shall have terminated subsequent to January 12, 1941, and (C) who has not acquired by an affirmative act other than by marriage any other nationality, shall, from and after taking the oath of allegiance required by section 1448 of this title, be a citizen of the United States and have the status of a citizen of the United States by birth, without filing an application for naturalization, and notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this subchapter except the provisions of section 1424 of this title: Provided, That nothing contained herein or in any other provision of law shall be construed as conferring United States citizenship retroactively upon such person, or upon any person who was naturalized in accordance with the provisions of section 317(b) of the Nationality Act of 1940, during any period in which such person was not a citizen.
(2) Such oath of allegiance may be taken abroad before a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States, or in the United States before the Attorney General or the judge or clerk of a court described in section 1421(b) of this title.
(3) Such oath of allegiance shall be entered in the records of the appropriate embassy, legation, consulate, court, or the Attorney General, and, upon demand, a certified copy of the proceedings, including a copy of the oath administered, under the seal of the embassy, legation, consulate, court, or the Attorney General, shall be delivered to such woman at a cost not exceeding $5, which certified copy shall be evidence of the facts stated therein before any court of record or judicial tribunal and in any department or agency of the Government of the United States.
(d) Persons losing citizenship for failure to meet physical presence retention requirement
(1) A person who was a citizen of the United States at birth and lost such citizenship for failure to meet the physical presence retention requirements under section 1401(b) of this title (as in effect before October 10, 1978), shall, from and after taking the oath of allegiance required by section 1448 of this title be a citizen of the United States and have the status of a citizen of the United States by birth, without filing an application for naturalization, and notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this subchapter except the provisions of section 1424 of this title. Nothing in this subsection or any other provision of law shall be construed as conferring United States citizenship retroactively upon such person during any period in which such person was not a citizen.
(2) The provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (c) shall apply to a person regaining citizenship under paragraph (1) in the same manner as they apply under subsection (c)(1).
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 324, 66 Stat. 246; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(x), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(b)(3), (c)(7), (d)(6), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5040–5042; Pub. L. 103–416, title I, § 103(a), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4307.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1435

§ 1436. Nationals but not citizens; residence within outlying possessions

A person not a citizen who owes permanent allegiance to the United States, and who is otherwise qualified, may, if he becomes a resident of any State, be naturalized upon compliance with the applicable requirements of this subchapter, except that in applications for naturalization filed under the provisions of this section residence and physical presence within the United States within the meaning of this subchapter shall include residence and physical presence within any of the outlying possessions of the United States.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 325, 66 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(8), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1436

§ 1437. Resident Philippine citizens excepted from certain requirements

Any person who (1) was a citizen of the Commonwealth of the Philippines on July 2, 1946, (2) entered the United States prior to May 1, 1934, and (3) has, since such entry, resided continuously in the United States shall be regarded as having been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence for the purpose of applying for naturalization under this subchapter.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 326, 66 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(9), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1437

§ 1438. Former citizens losing citizenship by entering armed forces of foreign countries during World War II
(a) Requirements; oath; certified copies of oath
(b) Exceptions
No person shall be naturalized under subsection (a) of this section unless he—
(1) is, and has been for a period of at least five years immediately preceding taking the oath required in subsection (a), a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States; and
(2) has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and intends to reside permanently in the United States.
(c) Status
(d) Span of World War II
(e) Inapplicability to certain persons
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 327, 66 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(d)(7), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5042.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1438

§ 1439. Naturalization through service in the armed forces
(a) Requirements
(b) Exceptions
A person filing an application under subsection (a) of this section shall comply in all other respects with the requirements of this subchapter, except that—
(1) no residence within a State or district of the Service in the United States shall be required;
(2) notwithstanding section 1429 of this title insofar as it relates to deportability, such applicant may be naturalized immediately if the applicant be then actually in the Armed Forces of the United States, and if prior to the filing of the application, the applicant shall have appeared before and been examined by a representative of the Service;
(3) the applicant shall furnish to the Secretary of Homeland Security, prior to any hearing upon his application, a certified statement from the proper executive department for each period of his service upon which he relies for the benefits of this section, clearly showing that such service was honorable and that no discharges from service, including periods of service not relied upon by him for the benefits of this section, were other than honorable (the certificate or certificates herein provided for shall be conclusive evidence of such service and discharge); and
(4) notwithstanding any other provision of law, no fee shall be charged or collected from the applicant for filing the application, or for the issuance of a certificate of naturalization upon being granted citizenship, and no clerk of any State court shall charge or collect any fee for such services unless the laws of the State require such charge to be made, in which case nothing more than the portion of the fee required to be paid to the State shall be charged or collected.
(c) Periods when not in service
(d) Residence requirements
(e) Moral character
(f) Revocation
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 328, 66 Stat. 249; Pub. L. 90–633, § 5, Oct. 24, 1968, 82 Stat. 1344; Pub. L. 97–116, § 15(e), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(b)(4), (c)(10), (d)(8), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5040–5042; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(c), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(a), (b)(1), (c)(1)(A), (f), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1691, 1692; Pub. L. 110–382, § 3(a), Oct. 9, 2008, 122 Stat. 4088.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1439

§ 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
(a) Requirements
(b) Exceptions
A person filing an application under subsection (a) of this section shall comply in all other respects with the requirements of this subchapter, except that—
(1) he may be naturalized regardless of age, and notwithstanding the provisions of section 1429 of this title as they relate to deportability and the provisions of section 1442 of this title;
(2) no period of residence or specified period of physical presence within the United States or any State or district of the Service in the United States shall be required;
(3) service in the military, air or naval forces of the United States shall be proved by a duly authenticated certification from the executive department under which the applicant served or is serving, which shall state whether the applicant served honorably in an active-duty status during either World War I or during a period beginning September 1, 1939, and ending December 31, 1946, or during a period beginning June 25, 1950, and ending July 1, 1955, or during a period beginning February 28, 1961, and ending on a date designated by the President by Executive order as the date of termination of the Vietnam hostilities, or thereafter during any other period which the President by Executive order shall designate as a period in which Armed Forces of the United States are or were engaged in military operations involving armed conflict with a hostile foreign force, and was separated from such service under honorable conditions; and
(4) notwithstanding any other provision of law, no fee shall be charged or collected from the applicant for filing a petition for naturalization or for the issuance of a certificate of naturalization upon citizenship being granted to the applicant, and no clerk of any State court shall charge or collect any fee for such services unless the laws of the State require such charge to be made, in which case nothing more than the portion of the fee required to be paid to the State shall be charged or collected.
(c) Revocation
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 329, 66 Stat. 250; Pub. L. 87–301, § 8, Sept. 26, 1961, 75 Stat. 654; Pub. L. 90–633, §§ 1, 2, 6, Oct. 24, 1968, 82 Stat. 1343, 1344; Pub. L. 97–116, § 15(a), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(y), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(b)(5), (c)(11), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5040, 5041; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(b), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1749; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, § 1080(a), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1916; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title XVII, §§ 1701(b)(2), (c)(1)(B), 1702, Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1691–1693.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1440

§ 1440–1. Posthumous citizenship through death while on active-duty service in armed forces during World War I, World War II, the Korean hostilities, the Vietnam hostilities, or in other periods of military hostilities
(a) Permitting granting of posthumous citizenship
(b) Noncitizens eligible for posthumous citizenshipA person referred to in subsection (a) is a person who, while an alien or a noncitizen national of the United States—
(1) served honorably in an active-duty status in the military, air, or naval forces of the United States during any period described in the first sentence of section 1440(a) of this title,
(2) died as a result of injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by that service, and
(3) satisfied the requirements of clause (1) or (2) of the first sentence of section 1440(a) of this title.
The executive department under which the person so served shall determine whether the person satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2).
(c) Requests for posthumous citizenship
(1) In generalA request for the granting of posthumous citizenship to a person described in subsection (b) may be filed on behalf of that person—
(A) upon locating the next-of-kin, and if so requested by the next-of-kin, by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary’s designee with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security immediately upon the death of that person; or
(B) by the next-of-kin.
(2) ApprovalThe Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services shall approve a request for posthumous citizenship filed by the next-of-kin in accordance with paragraph (1)(B) if—
(A) the request is filed not later than 2 years after—
(i)November 24, 2003; or
(ii) the date of the person’s death;
whichever date is later;
(B) the request is accompanied by a duly authenticated certificate from the executive department under which the person served which states that the person satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b); and
(C) the Director finds that the person satisfied the requirement of subsection (b)(3).
(d) Documentation of posthumous citizenship
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 329A, as added Pub. L. 101–249, § 2(a), Mar. 6, 1990, 104 Stat. 94; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11030(b), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1836; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title XVII, §§ 1703(g), 1704, Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1695, 1696.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1440-1

§§ 1440a to 1440d. Omitted

CITE AS: 8 USC 1440a to 1440d

§ 1440e. Exemption from naturalization fees for aliens naturalized through service during Vietnam hostilities or other subsequent period of military hostilities; report by clerks of courts to Attorney General

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no clerk of a United States court shall charge or collect a naturalization fee from an alien who has served in the military, air, or naval forces of the United States during a period beginning February 28, 1961, and ending on the date designated by the President by Executive order as the date of termination of the Vietnam hostilities, or thereafter during any other period which the President by Executive order shall designate as a period in which Armed Forces of the United States are or were engaged in military operations involving armed conflict with a hostile foreign force, and who is applying for naturalization during such periods under section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by this Act [8 U.S.C. 1440], for filing a petition for naturalization or issuing a certificate of naturalization upon his admission to citizenship, and no clerk of any State court shall charge or collect any fee for such services unless the laws of the State require such charge to be made, in which case nothing more than the portion of the fee required to be paid to the State shall be charged or collected. A report of all transactions under this section shall be made to the Attorney General as in the case of other reports required of clerks of courts by title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.].

(Pub. L. 90–633, § 3, Oct. 24, 1968, 82 Stat. 1344.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1440e

§ 1440f. Fingerprints and other biometric information for members of the United States Armed Forces
(a) In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, including section 552a of title 5 (commonly referred to as the “Privacy Act of 1974”), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall use the fingerprints provided by an individual at the time the individual enlisted in the United States Armed Forces, or at the time the individual filed an application for adjustment of status, to satisfy any requirement for background and security checks in connection with an application for naturalization if—
(1) the individual may be naturalized pursuant to section 1439 or 1440 of this title;
(2) the individual was fingerprinted and provided other biometric information in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Defense at the time the individual enlisted in the United States Armed Forces;
(3) the individual—
(A) submitted an application for naturalization not later than 24 months after the date on which the individual enlisted in the United States Armed Forces; or
(B) provided the required biometric information to the Department of Homeland Security through a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Application Support Center at the time of the individual’s application for adjustment of status if filed not later than 24 months after the date on which the individual enlisted in the United States Armed Forces; and
(4) the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that the biometric information provided, including fingerprints, is sufficient to conduct the required background and security checks needed for the applicant’s naturalization application.
(b) More timely and effective adjudicationNothing in this section precludes an individual described in subsection (a) from submitting a new set of biometric information, including fingerprints, to the Secretary of Homeland Security with an application for naturalization. If the Secretary determines that submitting a new set of biometric information, including fingerprints, would result in more timely and effective adjudication of the individual’s naturalization application, the Secretary shall—
(1) inform the individual of such determination; and
(2) provide the individual with a description of how to submit such biometric information, including fingerprints.
(c) CooperationThe Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall determine the format of biometric information, including fingerprints, acceptable for usage under subsection (a). The Secretary of Defense, or any other official having custody of the biometric information, including fingerprints, referred to in subsection (a), shall—
(1) make such prints available, without charge, to the Secretary of Homeland Security for the purpose described in subsection (a); and
(2) otherwise cooperate with the Secretary of Homeland Security to facilitate the processing of applications for naturalization under subsection (a).
(d) Electronic transmission
(e) Centralization and expedited processing
(1) Centralization
(2) Expedited processing
(Pub. L. 110–251, § 2, June 26, 2008, 122 Stat. 2319.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1440f

§ 1440g. Provision of information on military naturalization
(a) In general
(b) Sense of Congress
(Pub. L. 110–251, § 3, June 26, 2008, 122 Stat. 2320.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1440g

§ 1441. Constructive residence through service on certain United States vessels

Any periods of time during all of which a person who was previously lawfully admitted for permanent residence has served honorably or with good conduct, in any capacity other than as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, (A) on board a vessel operated by the United States, or an agency thereof, the full legal and equitable title to which is in the United States; or (B) on board a vessel whose home port is in the United States, and (i) which is registered under the laws of the United States, or (ii) the full legal and equitable title to which is in a citizen of the United States, or a corporation organized under the laws of any of the several States of the United States, shall be deemed residence and physical presence within the United States within the meaning of section 1427(a) of this title, if such service occurred within five years immediately preceding the date such person shall file an application for naturalization. Service on vessels described in clause (A) of this section shall be proved by duly authenticated copies of the records of the executive departments or agency having custody of the records of such service. Service on vessels described in clause (B) of this section may be proved by certificates from the masters of such vessels.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 330, 66 Stat. 251; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(z), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(12), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(m)(5), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1441

§ 1442. Alien enemies
(a) Naturalization under specified conditions
(b) Procedure
(c) Exceptions from classification
(d) Effect of cessation of hostilities
(e) Apprehension and removal
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 331, 66 Stat. 252; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(13), (d)(9), (e)(2), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041, 5042, 5046.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1442

§ 1443. Administration
(a) Rules and regulations governing examination of applicants
(b) Instruction in citizenship
(c) Prescription of forms
(d) Administration of oaths and depositions
(e) Issuance of certificate of naturalization or citizenship
(f) Copies of records
(g) Furnished quarters for photographic studios
(h) Public education regarding naturalization benefits
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 332, 66 Stat. 252; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, §§ 406, 407(d)(10), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5040, 5042; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(m)(6), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1443

§ 1443a. Naturalization proceedings overseas for members of the Armed Forces and their spouses and children

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that any applications, interviews, filings, oaths, ceremonies, or other proceedings under title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) relating to naturalization of members of the Armed Forces, and persons made eligible for naturalization by section 319(e) or 322(d) of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1430(e), 1433(d)], are available through United States embassies, consulates, and as practicable, United States military installations overseas.

(Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(d), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1692; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, § 674(c), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 186.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1443a

§ 1444. Photographs; number
(a) Three identical photographs of the applicant shall be signed by and furnished by each applicant for naturalization or citizenship. One of such photographs shall be affixed by the Attorney General to the original certificate of naturalization issued to the naturalized citizen and one to the duplicate certificate of naturalization required to be forwarded to the Service.
(b) Three identical photographs of the applicant shall be furnished by each applicant for—
(1) a record of lawful admission for permanent residence to be made under section 1259 of this title;
(2) a certificate of derivative citizenship;
(3) a certificate of naturalization or of citizenship;
(4) a special certificate of naturalization;
(5) a certificate of naturalization or of citizenship, in lieu of one lost, mutilated, or destroyed;
(6) a new certificate of citizenship in the new name of any naturalized citizen who, subsequent to naturalization, has had his name changed by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by marriage; and
(7) a declaration of intention.
One such photograph shall be affixed to each such certificate issued by the Attorney General and one shall be affixed to the copy of such certificate retained by the Service.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 333, 66 Stat. 253; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(14), (d)(11), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041, 5042; Pub. L. 103–416, title II, § 219(w), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4318.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1444

§ 1445. Application for naturalization; declaration of intention
(a) Evidence and form
(b) Who may file
(c) Hearings
(d) Filing of application
(e) Substitute filing place and administering oath other than before Attorney General
A person may file an application for naturalization other than in the office of the Attorney General, and an oath of allegiance administered other than in a public ceremony before the Attorney General or a court, if the Attorney General determines that the person has an illness or other disability which—
(1) is of a permanent nature and is sufficiently serious to prevent the person’s personal appearance, or
(2) is of a nature which so incapacitates the person as to prevent him from personally appearing.
(f) Declaration of intention
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 334, 66 Stat. 254; Pub. L. 97–116, § 15(b), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, §§ 401(b), 407(c)(15), (d)(12), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5038, 5041, 5042; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(d), (e), (m)(7), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1445

§ 1446. Investigation of applicants; examination of applications
(a) Waiver
(b) Conduct of examinations; authority of designees; record
(c) Transmittal of record of examination
(d) Determination to grant or deny application
(e) Withdrawal of application
(f) Transfer of application
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 335, 66 Stat. 255; Pub. L. 97–116, § 15(c), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(aa), (bb), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, §§ 401(c), 407(c)(16), (d)(13), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5038, 5041, 5043; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(f), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1446

§ 1447. Hearings on denials of applications for naturalization
(a) Request for hearing before immigration officer
(b) Request for hearing before district court
(c) Appearance of Attorney General
(d) Subpena of witnesses
(e) Change of name
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 336, 66 Stat. 257; Pub. L. 91–136, Dec. 5, 1969, 83 Stat. 283; Pub. L. 97–116, § 15(d), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(cc), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(17), (d)(14), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041, 5044; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(g), (h), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1447

§ 1448. Oath of renunciation and allegiance
(a) Public ceremony
(b) Hereditary titles or orders of nobility
(c) Expedited judicial oath administration ceremony
(d) Rules and regulations
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 337, 66 Stat. 258; Pub. L. 97–116, § 18(o), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(18), (d)(15), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041, 5044; Pub. L. 102–232, title I, § 102(b)(2), title III, § 305(i), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1736, 1750; Pub. L. 106–448, § 1, Nov. 6, 2000, 114 Stat. 1939.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1448

§ 1448a. Address to newly naturalized citizens

Either at the time of the rendition of the decree of naturalization or at such other time as the judge may fix, the judge or someone designated by him shall address the newly naturalized citizen upon the form and genius of our Government and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship; it being the intent and purpose of this section to enlist the aid of the judiciary, in cooperation with civil and educational authorities, and patriotic organizations in a continuous effort to dignify and emphasize the significance of citizenship.

(Feb. 29, 1952, ch. 49, § 2, 66 Stat. 10.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1448a

§ 1449. Certificate of naturalization; contents

A person admitted to citizenship in conformity with the provisions of this subchapter shall be entitled upon such admission to receive from the Attorney General a certificate of naturalization, which shall contain substantially the following information: Number of application for naturalization; number of certificate of naturalization; date of naturalization; name, signature, place of residence, autographed photograph, and personal description of the naturalized person, including age, sex, marital status, and country of former nationality; location of the district office of the Service in which the application was filed and the title, authority, and location of the official or court administering the oath of allegiance; statement that the Attorney General, having found that the applicant had complied in all respects with all of the applicable provisions of the naturalization laws of the United States, and was entitled to be admitted a citizen of the United States of America, thereupon ordered that the applicant be admitted as a citizen of the United States of America; attestation of an immigration officer; and the seal of the Department of Justice.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 338, 66 Stat. 259; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(19), (d)(16), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041, 5045; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(j), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750; Pub. L. 103–416, title I, § 104(a), title II, § 219(z)(3), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4308, 4318.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1449

§ 1450. Functions and duties of clerks and records of declarations of intention and applications for naturalization
(a) The clerk of each court that administers oaths of allegiance under section 1448 of this title shall—
(1) deliver to each person administered the oath of allegiance by the court pursuant to section 1448(a) of this title the certificate of naturalization prepared by the Attorney General pursuant to section 1421(b)(2)(A)(ii) of this title,
(2) forward to the Attorney General a list of applicants actually taking the oath at each scheduled ceremony and information concerning each person to whom such an oath is administered by the court, within 30 days after the close of the month in which the oath was administered,
(3) forward to the Attorney General certified copies of such other proceedings and orders instituted in or issued out of the court affecting or relating to the naturalization of persons as may be required from time to time by the Attorney General, and
(4) be responsible for all blank certificates of naturalization received by them from time to time from the Attorney General and shall account to the Attorney General for them whenever required to do so.
No certificate of naturalization received by any clerk of court which may be defaced or injured in such manner as to prevent its use as herein provided shall in any case be destroyed, but such certificates shall be returned to the Attorney General.
(b) Each district office of the Service in the United States shall maintain, in chronological order, indexed, and consecutively numbered, as part of its permanent records, all declarations of intention and applications for naturalization filed with the office.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 339, 66 Stat. 259; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(d)(17), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5045; Pub. L. 102–232, title I, § 102(b)(1), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1735.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1450

§ 1451. Revocation of naturalization
(a) Concealment of material evidence; refusal to testify
(b) Notice to party
(c) Membership in certain organizations; prima facie evidence
(d) Applicability to citizenship through naturalization of parent or spouse
(e) Citizenship unlawfully procured
(f) Cancellation of certificate of naturalization
(g) Applicability to certificates of naturalization and citizenship
(h) Power to correct, reopen, alter, modify, or vacate order
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 340, 66 Stat. 260; Sept. 3, 1954, ch. 1263, § 18, 68 Stat. 1232; Pub. L. 87–301, § 18, Sept. 26, 1961, 75 Stat. 656; Pub. L. 99–653, § 17, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3658; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(dd), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(d)(18), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5046; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(k), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750; Pub. L. 103–416, title I, § 104(b), (c), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4308.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1451

§ 1452. Certificates of citizenship or U.S. non-citizen national status; procedure
(a) Application to Attorney General for certificate of citizenship; proof; oath of allegiance
(b) Application to Secretary of State for certificate of non-citizen national status; proof; oath of allegiance
A person who claims to be a national, but not a citizen, of the United States may apply to the Secretary of State for a certificate of non-citizen national status. Upon—
(1) proof to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State that the applicant is a national, but not a citizen, of the United States, and
(2) in the case of such a person born outside of the United States or its outlying possessions, taking and subscribing, before an immigration officer within the United States or its outlying possessions, to the oath of allegiance required by this chapter of a petitioner for naturalization,
the individual shall be furnished by the Secretary of State with a certificate of non-citizen national status, but only if the individual is at the time within the United States or its outlying possessions.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 341, 66 Stat. 263; Pub. L. 97–116, § 18(p), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1621; Pub. L. 99–396, § 16(a), Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 843; Pub. L. 99–653, § 22, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3658; Pub. L. 100–525, § 8(q), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2618; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 305(m)(8), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1750; Pub. L. 103–416, title I, § 102(b), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4307.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1452

§ 1453. Cancellation of certificates issued by Attorney General, the Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner; action not to affect citizenship status

The Attorney General is authorized to cancel any certificate of citizenship, certificate of naturalization, copy of a declaration of intention, or other certificate, document or record heretofore issued or made by the Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner or hereafter made by the Attorney General if it shall appear to the Attorney General’s satisfaction that such document or record was illegally or fraudulently obtained from, or was created through illegality or by fraud practiced upon, him or the Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner; but the person for or to whom such document or record has been issued or made shall be given at such person’s last-known place of address written notice of the intention to cancel such document or record with the reasons therefor and shall be given at least sixty days in which to show cause why such document or record should not be canceled. The cancellation under this section of any document purporting to show the citizenship status of the person to whom it was issued shall affect only the document and not the citizenship status of the person in whose name the document was issued.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 342, 66 Stat. 263.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1453

§ 1454. Documents and copies issued by Attorney General
(a) If any certificate of naturalization or citizenship issued to any citizen or any declaration of intention furnished to any declarant is lost, mutilated, or destroyed, the citizen or declarant may make application to the Attorney General for a new certificate or declaration. If the Attorney General finds that the certificate or declaration is lost, mutilated, or destroyed, he shall issue to the applicant a new certificate or declaration. If the certificate or declaration has been mutilated, it shall be surrendered to the Attorney General before the applicant may receive such new certificate or declaration. If the certificate or declaration has been lost, the applicant or any other person who shall have, or may come into possession of it is required to surrender it to the Attorney General.
(b) The Attorney General shall issue for any naturalized citizen, on such citizen’s application therefor, a special certificate of naturalization for use by such citizen only for the purpose of obtaining recognition as a citizen of the United States by a foreign state. Such certificate when issued shall be furnished to the Secretary of State for transmission to the proper authority in such foreign state.
(c) If the name of any naturalized citizen has, subsequent to naturalization, been changed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction, or by marriage, the citizen may make application for a new certificate of naturalization in the new name of such citizen. If the Attorney General finds the name of the applicant to have been changed as claimed, the Attorney General shall issue to the applicant a new certificate and shall notify the naturalization court of such action.
(d) The Attorney General is authorized to make and issue certifications of any part of the naturalization records of any court, or of any certificate of naturalization or citizenship, for use in complying with any statute, State or Federal, or in any judicial proceeding. No such certification shall be made by any clerk of court except upon order of the court.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 343, 66 Stat. 263; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(ee), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1454

§ 1455. Fiscal provisions
(a) The Attorney General shall charge, collect, and account for fees prescribed by the Attorney General pursuant to section 9701 of title 31 for the following:
(1) Making, filing, and docketing an application for naturalization, including the hearing on such application, if such hearing be held, and a certificate of naturalization, if the issuance of such certificate is authorized by the Attorney General.
(2) Receiving and filing a declaration of intention, and issuing a duplicate thereof.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other law, no fee shall be charged or collected for an application for declaration of intention or a certificate of naturalization in lieu of a declaration or a certificate alleged to have been lost, mutilated, or destroyed, submitted by a person who was a member of the military or naval forces of the United States at any time after April 20, 1898, and before July 5, 1902; or at any time after April 5, 1917, and before November 12, 1918; or who served on the Mexican border as a member of the Regular Army or National Guard between June 1916 and April 1917; or who has served or hereafter serves in the military, air, or naval forces of the United States after September 16, 1940, and who was not at any time during such period or thereafter separated from such forces under other than honorable conditions, who was not a conscientious objector who performed no military duty whatever or refused to wear the uniform, or who was not at any time during such period or thereafter discharged from such military, air, or naval forces on account of alienage.
(c) Except as provided by section 1356(q)(2) of this title or any other law, all fees collected by the Attorney General shall be deposited by the Attorney General in the Treasury of the United States except that all such fees collected or paid over on or after October 1, 1988, shall be deposited in the Immigration Examinations Fee Account established under section 1356(m) of this title: Provided, however, That all fees received by the Attorney General from applicants residing in the Virgin Islands of the United States, and in Guam, under this subchapter, shall be paid over to the treasury of the Virgin Islands and to the treasury of Guam, respectively.
(d) During the time when the United States is at war the Attorney General may not charge or collect a naturalization fee from an alien in the military, air, or naval service of the United States for filing an application for naturalization or issuing a certificate of naturalization upon admission to citizenship.
(e) In addition to the other fees required by this subchapter, the applicant for naturalization shall, upon the filing of an application for naturalization, deposit with and pay to the Attorney General a sum of money sufficient to cover the expenses of subpenaing and paying the legal fees of any witnesses for whom such applicant may request a subpena, and upon the final discharge of such witnesses, they shall receive, if they demand the same from the Attorney General, the customary and usual witness fees from the moneys which the applicant shall have paid to the Attorney General for such purpose, and the residue, if any, shall be returned by the Attorney General to the applicant.
(f)
(1) The Attorney General shall pay over to courts administering oaths of allegiance to persons under this subchapter a specified percentage of all fees described in subsection (a)(1) collected by the Attorney General with respect to persons administered the oath of allegiance by the respective courts. The Attorney General, annually and in consultation with the courts, shall determine the specified percentage based on the proportion, of the total costs incurred by the Service and courts for essential services directly related to the naturalization process, which are incurred by courts.
(2) The Attorney General shall provide on an annual basis to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and of the Senate a detailed report on the use of the fees described in paragraph (1) and shall consult with such Committees before increasing such fees.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 344, 66 Stat. 264; Pub. L. 85–508, § 26, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 90–609, § 3, Oct. 21, 1968, 82 Stat. 1200; Pub. L. 97–116, § 16, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 100–459, title II, § 209(b), Oct. 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 2203; Pub. L. 100–525, § 9(ff), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2621; Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(c)(20), (d)(19), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5041, 5046; Pub. L. 102–232, title I, § 102(b)(3), title III, §§ 305(l), 309(a)(1)(A)(ii), (b)(14), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1736, 1750, 1758, 1759; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11016(1), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1824.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1455

§ 1456. Repealed. Pub. L. 86–682, § 12(c), Sept. 2, 1960, 74 Stat. 708, eff. Sept. 1, 1960

CITE AS: 8 USC 1456

§ 1457. Publication and distribution of citizenship textbooks; use of naturalization fees

Authorization is granted for the publication and distribution of the citizenship textbook described in subsection (b) of section 1443 of this title and for the reimbursement of the appropriation of the Department of Justice upon the records of the Treasury Department from the naturalization fees deposited in the Treasury through the Service for the cost of such publication and distribution, such reimbursement to be made upon statements by the Attorney General of books so published and distributed.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 346, 66 Stat. 266.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1457

§ 1458. Compilation of naturalization statistics and payment for equipment

The Attorney General is authorized and directed to prepare from the records in the custody of the Service a report upon those heretofore seeking citizenship to show by nationalities their relation to the numbers of aliens annually arriving and to the prevailing census populations of the foreign-born, their economic, vocational, and other classification, in statistical form, with analytical comment thereon, and to prepare such report annually hereafter. Payment for the equipment used in preparing such compilation shall be made from the appropriation for the enforcement of this chapter by the Service.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title III, ch. 2, § 347, 66 Stat. 266.)

CITE AS: 8 USC 1458

§ 1459. Repealed. Pub. L. 101–649, title IV, § 407(d)(20), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5046

CITE AS: 8 USC 1459