The Twentynine Palms Legal Assistance office provides limited help with immigration issues. We can help you start the process but more detailed help is done at Camp Pendleton Legal Assistance. We recommend that you attend the Camp Pendleton Immigration brief before coming in for assistance with your documents.
Local help is limited to: Military members
Lawful dependents (spouse, children, and dependent parents)
Other family members – informational only
Naturalization through Military Service
If you are serving, or have served, in the U.S. armed forces and are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Please click the below link for more information.
https://www.uscis.gov/military/naturalization-through-military-service
Additional Information found on this webpage under “Required Documents”.
File Online:
The USCIS office is now accepting electronic applications. Fees are set by the USCIS office. Additional information can be found in the link below.
https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/military-personnel-and-veterans-can-now-file-their-form-n-400-naturalization-application-online
Resources:
The U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) department has an online website which provides the most current forms and resources: https://www.uscis.gov/
USCIS specific military help can be found at: https://www.uscis.gov/military/military-help-line
Hotline: 877-CIS-4MIL (877-247-4645)
militaryinfo@uscis.dhs.gov
Selective Service System: https://www.sss.gov/
Military One Source Translation: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
Federal Tax Return Transcripts: www.irs.gov
Birth Certificates: https://www.vitalchek.com/
Passports: https://www.usps.com/international/passports.htm
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/passport_1738.html
MyPay: https://mypay.dfas.mil/#/
Delegation of Authority MarAdmin: https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/1571759/delegation-of-authority-to-certify-honorable-service-for-purposes-of-naturaliza/
Processing Time for Certification of Service: https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/2208334/processing-time-for-certification-of-honorable-service-for-purposes-of-naturali/
Camp Pendleton Legal Assistance Office: https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/Staff-Agencies/Legal-Services-Support-Team/Legal-Assistance/Immigration/
Forms:
All forms can be found for FREE at: https://www.uscis.gov/forms
The most commonly used forms are: N-400, Application for Naturalization
N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service
N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship
G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
G-1405, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
*All forms should be filled out electronically (TYPED) before submission*
IF you need extra room for additional information to your answers: Include a typed explanation on a separate sheet of paper and provide evidence to support your answers. N-400, N-426 and Fingerprints MUST be completed before submitting the forms.
Required Documents:**These documents are not required to start the process. However there copies may be required to be submitted with your application. Only the N-426 must be the original document to submit application.***
Naturalization:
- N-400, Application for Naturalization
- N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service and Letter from Command [Must be signed by an O-6 (See example)]
- G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
- DOD Referral Letter for Fingerprints
- Copy of Selective Service Number (Males only ages 18-25)
- Copy of Legal Permeant Resident Card (Green Card)
- Front and Back copy on single sheet of paper
Citizenship:
- N-600, Application for Certification of Citizenship
- N-426 and Letter from Command [Must be signed by an O-6 (See example)]
- G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
- DOD Referral Letter for Fingerprints
- Two USCIS approved Photos (See Examples)
- Copy of Legal Permeant Resident Card (Green Card)
- Front and Back copy on single sheet of paper (See Examples)
- Copy of Certificate of Naturalization from the parent you are filing under
- Birth Certificate with English Translation
- For adopted Children – Copy of Final Adoption Order
- Only required if you were born out of wedlock, your parents have never been married, or your parents are separated/divorced.
- Statement of Service – Letter from Command [Must be signed by an O-6 (See example)]
- Copy of Military ID Card (CAC)
- Front and Back copy on single sheet of paper(See Examples)
- Copy of documents that prove you lived with your US citizen parents
For Family Members:
- N-400, Application for Naturalization
- G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
- G-1450,Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
- Spouse’s proof of US citizenship UNLESS you have been a Legal Permeant Resident for 5 years.
- Only one is required:
- Birth Certificate
- Current US passport or Naturalization Certificate
- Copy of Dependent ID Card
- Front and Back on single sheet of paper
- Copy of Legal Permeant Resident Card (Green Card)
- Front and Back copy on single sheet of paper
- Copies of Federal Tax Return Transcripts for last 3 tax years (See Notes)
- Copy of Marriage Certificate with English translation
- As applicable:
- Copy of Divorce Certificates
- Copy of Death Certificates
Additional Documents:
Additional required documents as applicable.
Fingerprints/Biometrics: Form
Dependency NAVMC 10922: Form
Statement of Service: Standard Letter Template and Guidance
Example 1
Example 2
CHECKLISTS:
These checklists are for informational use and are subject to change. They are to give the individual a list to gather supporting documents. You will be provided an updated checklist when you make your appointment with either Camp Pendleton or Twentynine Palms Legal Offices.
Active Duty Certificate of Citizenship Checklist
Active Duty Naturalization Checklist
Adjustment of Status Checklist
Child Petition Checklist
Fiance Visa Checklist
Parole-in-Place Checklist
Spouse Petition
Camp Pendleton Legal Assistance Office provides Immigration Services.
****NO CHILDERN AT THE BRIEFS. NO EXCEPTIONS.****
Information concerning the upcoming briefs is below, please read carefully. If you are applying for naturalization or citizenship you must complete & return the Client Notification form, failure to so you will not be able to attend the brief. You MUST REGISTER to attend the briefs. Registration must be done by email to Ms. Moreno at gena.moreno@usmc.mil on Subject Line put which BREIF you would like to attend or what TYPE of appointment you are seeking.
IF you’re coming from 29 Palms, MCAS Miramar, 32 Street San Diego please let them know so we can make arrangements.
Briefs- provided only on Wednesday DOORS OPEN AT 0730.
Naturalization/Citizenship Brief starts at 0745 and is 1 hour in duration.
Immigration Brief starts at 0915 and is 2 hours in duration.
Naturalization/Citizenship:
You must have ONE of the following:
- A green card
- or I-94 for Micronesia citizens, US Passport for American Samoa citizens
Immigration:
- Applications & Petitions for Green Cards (must have a visa (Not a Work Permit, but an actual visa such as B1/B2, F1, J1 or a WT)
- K1’s (Fiancée) (Fiancée must be residing outside the US)*See Notes
- Immediate Relative Petitions (must be living outside the U.S.)
- Parole in Place (on DACA/No DACA)
- Parents – Information Only
IMPORTANT: *You must have a valid DOD ID card to attend briefs.*
* No children allowed in the classroom – No exceptions.*
Registration:
Due to COVID-19, seating is limited to ten participants per week, registration ends on Tuesday 1200. Register by email at gena.moreno@usmc.mil provide full name, phone number and what brief you are interested in attending. Phone registration will not be taken.
Out of consideration to others, late comers will be asked to return another day, also we ask you not to register if you’re not sure you will attend. If you need to cancel, please email me no later than 1300 on Tuesday so we can offer your seat to others on our waiting list. Your name will be added to attend the following week.
Appointments:
The appointments are scheduled by the Petitioner (US Citizen/Military Member).
Appointments are ONLY scheduled by email; multiple emails are disregarded.
Do not Schedule an appointment unless you are ready to file.
Appointments are not meant to be “just to see if I’m doing the form correctly.”
Notes:
For Spouse’s & Fiancée Petition:
*You must include your Federal Income Tax Returns Transcripts. Not your 1040A or 1040 with your Petition/Application.
Do NOT include your State Tax returns.
Go to www.irs.gov
Create an account, print transcripts at no cost to you.
If you are filing the ROC/I-751, Removing the Condition you need Transcripts for the last two (2) years. Plus Items listed in Section A.
If you are filing for Adjustment of Status I-485, you need Transcripts for the last three (3) years. Plus Items listed in Sections A, B, & C.
If you are filing for I-134 for K1, you need Transcripts for the last three (3) years. Plus Items listed in Sections A, B, & C.
If you have not worked for three (3) years, you will need to print the “Letter of Non Filing”.
If you are not able to create an IRS account, you can visit the IRS Office (in the Camp Pendleton area) at Civic Center Dr. Ste. 400, San Marcos, CA 92069 and ask for you “Tax Return Transcripts”.
OUTSIDE the State of CALIFORNIA
- Google IRS Office + Your City and State.
- Personal Statement of Military Compensation from MyPay which is found under the Miscellaneous Tab – Personal Reports.
- For Navy Personnel: Provide a Statement of Service with Gross Income (BEFORE Taxes). This will include Base Pay, BAH, BAS, and Special Pay.
- Military ID: Copy of your military ID card Front and Back on a single page.
Example Documents:
- Military and Dependent IDs
Copy of your Military ID/dependent ID must be front and back on a single sheet of paper.
Fraud Prevention: Do Not copy multiple ID cards on a single sheet of paper.
Do not copy Social Security Cards or Driver License as they are not require for your application.
Make sure the photo presents the full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin.
Center the head with the frame.
The person in the photo should have a neutral expression and be facing the camera.
Paper Photo Head Size Template
Photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches.
The height of the head (top of the hair to bottom of chin) should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25mm – 35 mm).
Make sure the eye height is between 1 and 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm – 35 mm) form the bottom of the photo.
Well Composed Photo Composition Examples
CUT EACH PHOTO; PRINT YOUR FIRST NAME, MIDDLE NAME AND LAST NAME. IF YOU HAVE A# WRITE NUMBER BELOW YOUR NAME.
Copy of your Green Card must be front and back on a single sheet of paper.
Fraud Prevention: Do Not copy multiple ID cards on a single sheet of paper.
Do not copy Social Security Cards or Driver License as they are not require for your application.
U.S Passport Examples including older version.
Copy of your Passport must be front and back on a single sheet of paper.
Fraud Prevention: Do Not copy multiple ID cards on a single sheet of paper.
Passports not from the United States will need to have an English translation.
Do not copy Social Security Cards or Driver License as they are not require for your application.
Only an original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, or outlying possession of the United States that bears an official seal is acceptable.
Versions will vary by state and year of birth.
Birth certificates or record issued not from the United States will need certified by civil authority in the country of birth and have an English translation.
REFERENCES:
Certification of Honorable Service
Compliance with Court Order in the Case of Ange Samma v. DoD
Delegation of Authority to Certify Honorable Service for Purposes of Naturalization
Processing Time for Certification of Honorable Service for Purposes of Naturalization
SECNAV Memo
Service Suitability Determinations Foreign Nationals
USCIS Overseas Office Closings and Change to the USCIS Policy Regarding Children Born Abroad