ALCOAST 025/23 - JAN 2023 DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO CERTIFY HONORABLE SERVICE FOR THE PURPOSES OF NATURALIZATION

R 191250Z JAN 23 MID200080666796U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 025/23
SSIC 1700
SUBJ: DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO CERTIFY HONORABLE SERVICE FOR THE
PURPOSES OF NATURALIZATION
A. Military Civil and Dependent Affairs, COMDTINST M1700.1
1. This ALCOAST announces the removal of Section 1.F.4 in REF (A)
titled "Armed Forces Immigration Adjustment Act of 1991." This
section will be replaced with Section 1.F.4., "Naturalization
Through Service," as contained in paragraph 2 of this ALCOAST.
2. Section 1.F.4. Naturalization Through Service.
    a. Eligibility. An individual may qualify for naturalization
under 8 U.S.C. Section 1439 if: (1) they have served honorably
in the U.S. armed forces for at least one year or more, and if
separated, have never been separated except under honorable
conditions; and (2) they are a lawful permanent resident. If the
individual has been separated from service for more than six months
before applying for naturalization, then the person must also meet
certain residence and physical presence requirements in the
United States. Alternatively, an individual may seek naturalization
under 8 U.S.C. Section 1440 for service during hostilities. This
section applies to current or former service members who served in
an active-duty status or in the Selected Reserve of the Ready
Reserve during designated periods of conflict. 11 September 2001 to
the present is designated as a period of hostility and will remain
in effect until the president issues an executive order ending the
designation. An individual may qualify for naturalization under this
section if: (1) they served honorably in the U.S. armed forces
during a designated period of conflict, and if separated, were
separated under honorable conditions; and (2) after service they
were lawfully admitted as a permanent resident of the United States
or at the time of service they were physically present in the
United States or a qualifying area.
    b. Applying for Naturalization. The authority to certify
honorable service of non-U.S. citizen members is delegated to
CG PSC-RPM Division Chief and CG PSC-EPM Division Chief.
      (1) The naturalization application process is a member-driven
process, and the responsibility for obtaining and completing the
application forms remains entirely with the member. Applicants
seeking naturalization for themselves or on behalf of their
dependents may obtain U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS)
application forms at the website of the Personnel Service Center
Business Operations Division Military Records (PSC-BOPS-MR):
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-
Human-Resources-CG-1/Personnel-Service-Center-PSC/BOPS/PSC-BOPS-C/
CGMHRR/Citizenship.

      (2) Applicants shall complete USCIS Forms N-400 and N-426 and
submit them through their chain of command to either CG-PSC-RPM or
CG-PSC-EPM, depending on the member's reserve or active status,
respectively. The email for CG-PSC-RPM is
HQS-SMB-CGPSC-RPM-1-Status@uscg.mil. The email for CG-PSC-EPM is
HQS-SMB-CGPSC-EPM-1-Separations@uscg.mil. For reservists who have
limited or no access to standard workstations, applications may be
mailed to:
COMMANDER PERSONNEL SERVICE CENTER
ATTN: PSC-BOPS-C, US COAST GUARD
STOP 7200, 2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AVE SE
WASHINGTON, DC 20593-7200
      (3) CG PSC-EPM and CG PSC-RPM are authorized to certify
honorable service on form N-426. If honorable service is certified,
CG PSC-EPM or CG PSC-RPM will then forward the completed N-400 and
N-426 forms to PSC-BOPS-MR for final administrative review and
forward the forms to USCIS.
3. The change to REF (A) will be reflected in an upcoming revision
which will be released within the next year.
4. This message will be cancelled on 18 JAN 2024.
5. POC: Questions may be directed to COMDT (CG-133) at:
HQSPolicyandStandards@uscg.mil
6. RADM B. K. Penoyer, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
(CG-1), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.