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Instructions for Form N-644, Application for Posthumous Citizenship

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Instructions for N-644, Application  
for Posthumous Citizenship  
Department of Homeland Security  
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services  
NOTE: After a Certificate of Citizenship has been issued for a  
veteran, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)  
will not approve any later application on his or her behalf,  
except in the case of an application to replace a certificate that  
was lost, mutilated, or destroyed.  
What Is the Purpose of This Form?  
Public Law 101-249, as amended, provides that an alien or  
non-citizen national of the United States who dies as a result  
of injury or disease incurred by active duty with the U.S.  
Armed Forces during specified periods of military hostilities  
may be granted U.S. citizenship.  
General Instructions  
If the application is approved, a Certificate of Citizenship will  
be issued in the name of the deceased veteran.  
Step 1. Fill Out Form N-644  
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.  
The certificate establishes that the decedent is considered a  
citizen of the United States as of the date of his or her death.  
Posthumous citizenship is an honorary status commemorating  
the bravery and sacrifices of the veteran. The certificate allows  
certain qualifying family members to apply for benefits under  
section 319(d) of the INA or remain classified as immediate  
relatives for obtaining lawful permanent residence.  
2. If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a  
continuation sheet, indicate the item number, and date and  
sign each sheet.  
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an  
item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is none,  
write "none."  
4. Complete only Part I of this application. Do not write in  
Parts II, III, or IV, which are reserved for the use of the  
executive departments.  
When Should I Use Form N-644?  
The application must be filed no later than two years after the  
date of the decedent's death.  
Step 2. General Requirements  
To qualify for posthumous citizenship, the decendent must  
have been an alien or non-citizen national of the United States  
who:  
Who May File Form N-644?  
1. You may file this form only if your relationship to the  
decedent was:  
1. Served honorably in an active-duty status in the military,  
air, or naval forces of the United States during:  
A. Spouse;  
B. Father/Mother;  
A. 04/06/1917 - 11/11/1918 (World War I);  
B. 09/01/1939 - 12/31/1946 (World War II);  
C. 06/25/1950 - 07/01/1955 (Korean Hostilities);  
D. 02/28/1961 - 10/15/1978 (Vietnam Hostilities);  
E. 08/02/1990 - 04/11/1991 (Persian Gulf Conflict);  
C. Son/Daughter;  
D. Brother/Sister.  
OR  
2. You are the decedent's representative, defined as:  
A. Executor or administrator of decedent's estate;  
F. From 09/11/2001 until terminated by Executive Order  
of the President (Iraq Hostilities);  
B. Guardian, conservator, or committee of decedent's next-  
of-kin;  
G. Any other period of military hostilities designated by  
Executive Order of the President for the purpose of  
naturalization benefits; or  
C. Service organization recognized by the Department of  
Veterans Affairs; or  
H. A period of at least five years following enlistment or  
reenlistment in the U.S. Army under the Lodge Act of  
June 30, 1950, and who:  
D. The Secretary of Defense or the Secretary's designee  
with USCIS after request by the next-of-kin.  
Form N-644 Instructions 11/10/20 Page 1  
2. Died because of injury or disease incurred in or aggravated  
3. Any other military or state issued certificate of the  
by that service; and  
decedent's death.  
3. Met one of the following enlistment requirements:  
Failure to submit any of these documents may not  
automatically result in the denial of your application, but will  
delay the certification process.  
A. Was enlisted, reenlisted, or inducted in the United  
States, Panama Canal Zone, American Samoa, or  
Swain's Island;  
Translations  
B. Was admitted to the United States as a lawful  
Any document containing a foreign language submitted to  
USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English language  
translation which the translator has certified as complete and  
accurate, and by the translator's certification that he or she is  
competent to translate from the foreign language into English.  
permanent resident at any time; or  
C. If a person described in (1)(F), entered the United  
States, Panama Canal Zone, American Samoa, or  
Swain's Island pursuant to military orders at some time  
during such service.  
Copies  
Unless specifically required that an original document be filed  
with an application or petition, an ordinary legible photocopy  
may be submitted. Original documents submitted when not  
required will remain a part of the record, even if the  
submission was not required.  
Evidence  
Authorization documents  
1. Unless you are the spouse of the decedent or the executor  
or administrator of the decedent's estate, you must obtain  
authorization from all living next-of-kin above you in the  
order of succession.  
Where To File?  
2. For example, if you are the decedent's brother, you would  
have to obtain authorization from all living relatives in  
classes (a), (b), and (c) in the "Who May File Form  
N-644?" section on Page 1 of these instructions.  
Submit your Form N-644 to the following address:  
USCIS California Service Center  
P.O. Box 10360  
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607  
The authorization must be in the form of an affidavit  
stating the affiant's name, address, and relationship to the  
decedent and authorizing you to apply for posthumous U.  
S. Citizenship on behalf of the decedent. If the affidavit is  
in a language other than English, it must be accompanied  
by a certified English translator.  
What Is the Filing Fee?  
No fee is collected for this application.  
3. If you are in category (e) or (f) of the section "Who May  
File Form N-644?" you must submit a certified copy of  
your letter of appointment as the executor or administrator  
of the decedent's estate, or as the guardian, conservator, or  
committee of the decedent's next-of-kin.  
Address Changes  
If you have changed your address, you must inform USCIS of  
your new address. For information on filing a change of  
address go to the USCIS Web site at www.uscis.gov/  
addresschange or contact the National Customer Service  
Center at 1-800-375-5283.  
4. If you are in group (g) of the section "Who May File  
Form N-644?" you must submit evidence of recognition of  
your organization by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to the  
USCIS Lockbox facilities because the USCIS Lockbox  
facilities do not process change of address requests.  
Documentation of the decedent's service and death  
To facilitate certification of the decedent's military service and  
service-connected death by the executive departments, you  
should submit a legible copy of each of the following  
documents, if available:  
Processing Information  
Any Form N-644 that is not signed will be rejected with a  
notice that your Form N-644 is deficient. You may correct  
the deficiency and resubmit Form N-644. An application or  
petition is not considered properly filed until accepted by  
USCIS.  
1. Form DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from  
Active Duty;  
2. Form DD 1300, Report of Casualty/Military Death  
Certificate; or  
Form N-644 Instructions 11/10/20 Page 2  
Initial processing  
Once Form N-644 has been accepted, it will be checked for  
completeness, including submission of the required initial  
evidence. If you do not completely fill out the form, or file it  
without required initial evidence, you will not establish a basis  
for eligibility, and we may deny your Form N-644.  
Will You Have to Appear for an Interview?  
No. However, if the application is approved and you reside  
outside the United States, you will be required to appear at the  
nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate to sign for the Certificate  
of Citizenship.  
Decision  
The decision on Form N-644 involves a determination of  
whether you have established eligibility for the requested  
benefit. You will be notified of the decision in writing.  
USCIS Forms and Information  
To ensure you are using the latest version of this notice, visit  
the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can obtain  
the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information.  
If you do not have internet access, you may call the USCIS  
Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 and ask that we mail a form  
to you. The USCIS Contact Center provides information in  
English and Spanish. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call:  
1-800-767-1833.  
Please visit us at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to get basic  
information about immigration services and ask questions  
about a pending case. Through our digital self-help tools and  
live assistance, the USCIS Contact Center provides a pathway  
for you to get consistent, accurate information and answers to  
immigration case questions.  
Penalties  
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material  
fact or submit a false document with this Form N-644, we will  
deny your Form N-644 and may deny any other immigration  
benefit.  
In addition, you will face severe penalties provided by law and  
may be subject to criminal prosecution.  
Privacy Act Notice  
We ask for the information on this form, and associated  
evidence, to determine if you have established eligibility for the  
immigration benefit for which you are filing. Our legal right to  
ask for this information can be found in the Immigration and  
Nationality Act, as amended. We may provide this information  
to other government agencies. Failure to provide this  
information, and any requested evidence, may delay a final  
decision or result in denial of your Form N-644.  
Form N-644 Instructions 11/10/20 Page 3