U.S. Department of Homeland Security
American Consulate General
Giessener Str 30
60435 Frankfurt, Germany
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION 319(e) EXPEDITOUS
NATURALIZATION PROCESSING FOR SPOUSES
OF ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS ONLY
The law, (H.R. 4986/Public Law 110-181) which became effective in January 2008, amends
Section 319 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8U.S.C. 1430).
Qualifying Criteria:
· Applies to spouses and children of members of the Armed Forces who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
· You must meet all of the requirements of section 316 and 319(a) of the Act. This includes being a legal permanent resident for three years and having physical presence in the U.S. for at least half of that time. You must also be in a legal marital union with a U.S. citizen in the three years preceding the date of filing the naturalization application.
· Spouse or children must be authorized (command sponsored) on official orders to accompany the service member who is serving abroad.
Applying for naturalization under Section 319(e) from overseas, please comply with the following instructions:
Submit a completed form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with:
1. A COVER LETTER directed to the Nebraska Service Center advising them that you are currently residing overseas and that you are applying under Section 319(e) of the Immigration Act. Please add your name and foreign address and list the Consulate or Embassy where you would like your interview to take place (i.e. Frankfurt U.S. Consulate). Be advised that the initial processing at the Service Center will take at least 120 to 180 days.
2. A COMPLETED FORM DD-1278 signed by your United States citizen spouse’s commanding officer (not a staff member in personnel) showing that you have “concurrent travel orders” and are authorized to join and will join your United States citizen spouse on assignment abroad for at least one year after naturalization.
3. A COMPLETED FINGERPRINT CHART FD-258: Your fingerprints must be taken at an American Consulate or United States Military Base abroad.
4. A COPY OF YOUR CURRENT MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: If applicable, proof of the termination of all prior marriages of you and your spouse (death/divorce certificates).
5. PROOF OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP OF YOUR SPOUSE: Acceptable forms of evidence are a copy of current United States passport, a United States birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship (A or AA), or form FS-240 (registration of birth abroad).
6. TWO IDENTICAL PHOTOS: (ADIT-TYPE-see attached instruction sheet).
7. PROOF THAT YOU ARE A LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT OF THEUNITED STATES (a copy of your alien registration receipt card, Form I-551).
8. A Fee of $595.00 payable by check or money order.
Attach to the front of your N-400 application the enclosed sheet marked:
319(e) Expedite
FD-258 Expedite
Data Enter Immediately and Deliver to
Naturalization Point of Contact on Same Day
All 319 (e) Naturalization applications will be mailed to:
Nebraska Service Center
N-400 319(e)
PO BOX 87426
Lincoln, NE. 68501-7426
Save all receipts and always refer to your “A” number or N-400 receipt number in any contact with the Service after submission of the N-400 application.