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Official form guide
Form N-644: Application for Posthumous Citizenship
USCIS Form N-644 is the Application for Posthumous Citizenship that requests a Certificate of Citizenship for a deceased veteran who died from service‑related injury or disease during a designated period of hostilities; the form is filed by a VA‑recognized service organization or the Secretary of Defense (or designee) after a next‑of‑kin request.
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USCIS Form N-644 - Application for Posthumous Citizenship
USCIS Form N-644 is the Application for Posthumous Citizenship that requests a Certificate of Citizenship for a deceased veteran who died from service‑related injury or disease during a designated period of hostilities; the form is filed by a VA‑recognized service organization or the Secretary of Defense (or designee) after a next‑of‑kin request.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting without the required Department of Defense certification will cause denial or delay.
- 2Writing in Parts II, III, or IV instead of only completing Part I.
- 3Using ink colors other than black or illegible handwriting.
- 4Leaving the date of death (mm/dd/yyyy) blank in Part I.
- 5Failing to include the Department of Defense certification in Part III.
Plain English
This form asks the government to grant honorary citizenship to a service member who died because of injuries or illness from their military duty. If approved, a Certificate of Citizenship is issued in the veteran’s name. A recognized service organization or the Defense Department files it on behalf of the next‑of‑kin.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Not stated in the official source.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when filing for posthumous citizenship for a deceased veteran within two years of death and the filer has an eligible relationship (spouse, parent, child, or sibling) or is an authorized representative.
- Do not use it when the decedent already has a Certificate of Citizenship (except to replace a lost, mutilated, or destroyed certificate) or when filing beyond the two‑year deadline.
- Check Form G-1055 instead when you need fee information for this application.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Need official proof of military service and discharge
Provides discharge status required for eligibility
✓ Verify the DD214 is legible and includes service dates
Need an official report of casualty or military death
Documents the decedent’s death as service‑connected
✓ Confirm the form is signed by the appropriate authority
Need to determine the filing fee amount
Lists the current fee for Form N-644
✓ Check the latest fee schedule on Form G‑1055
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Relationship to decedent
Proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificate) · Personal records
Military service period
Service dates showing eligibility · Service records
Proof of death
Military or state issued death certificate · Decedent’s death certificate
Form DD214
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty · Military personnel file
Translator certification (if needed)
Signed translation certification with translator’s info · Translator’s statement page
Before you submit
- 1Verify the filing deadline is within two years of the decedent’s death
- 2Confirm you are an eligible filer (executor, guardian, service organization, etc.)
- 3Ensure your relationship to the decedent is spouse, parent, child, or sibling
- 4Attach a legible copy of the decedent’s DD214
- 5Attach a copy of the decedent’s death certificate or Form DD1300 if available
- 6Include the filing fee amount as listed on Form G‑1055
- 7Sign the application in the designated signature block
- 8Provide a United States mailing address on the form
- 9If a translation is required, attach the translator’s certification
- 10Review that all required fields are completed and no blanks remain
How to file this form
- 1Gather required documents (DD214, death certificate, relationship proof, fee)
- 2Complete Form N-644, filling all sections and signing
- 3Include the filing fee as indicated on Form G-1055
- 4Mail the package to the USCIS filing address listed on the website and retain the receipt
Known limitations
- 1The form cannot be used if the decedent already has a Certificate of Citizenship, except for replacement of a lost, mutilated, or destroyed certificate
- 2Filing must occur within two years of the decedent’s death; later filings are not accepted
- 3Eligibility is limited to veterans who served honorably during the designated hostilities periods listed in the instructions
- 4Only the listed immediate family relationships (spouse, parent, child, sibling) qualify the filer
- 5USCIS will not approve any later application on the veteran’s behalf beyond the replacement exception
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Eligibility
1 items
Select: 5-year permanent resident, 3-year married to U.S. citizen, or military service.
Personal Info
3 items
Your name exactly as shown on your Green Card.
Found on your Green Card. Required.
MM/DD/YYYY from your Green Card.
Residence
2 items
All addresses for the past 5 years (or 3 years if married to U.S. citizen).
Calculate days outside the U.S. in the past 5 years — must total less than 30 months.
Moral Character
1 items
Answer questions about criminal history, taxes, and immigration violations honestly.
Signatures
1 items
Certifies all answers are true under penalty of perjury.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The source does not state a revision date; it directs filers to the USCIS website for the most current filing location.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- Fee — See Form G-1055 for the specific filing fee
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- Signature — Confirm the applicant or authorized signer signs the application
- US address — Confirm you have a United States address to file
- Deadline — Confirm filing no later than two years after the decedent's death
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a complete copy of the submitted package for your records
- 2Monitor USCIS case status online using the receipt number
- 3Respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence from USCIS
- 4Retain all USCIS correspondence for at least five years
- 5If an error is discovered, submit a corrected Form N-644 with a cover letter explaining the correction
- 6Notify USCIS of any address change within 10 days of moving
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — filing deadline is no later than two years after the date of the decedent's death.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — eligible filers include executor or administrator, guardian, conservator, committee of next‑of‑kin, service organization recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Secretary of Defense or designee.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — relationship to decedent must be spouse, father/mother, son/daughter, or brother/sister.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — USCIS will not approve any later application after a Certificate of Citizenship is issued, except to replace a lost, mutilated, or destroyed certificate.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — filing fee information is found on Form G‑1055.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — must have a United States address to file this application.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — required documents include Form DD214 and, if available, Form DD1300.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — for filing location, see the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/n-644.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — translator must sign a certification with name, date, and contact information.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — if you are not a U.S. citizen, you must notify USCIS of your new address within 10 days of moving.
Common confusion points
Can I file more than two years after death?
The deadline rule is strict
→ Check the filing deadline in the instructions (two years).
Am I allowed to file if I’m not an immediate family member?
Only the listed relationships qualify
→ Verify your relationship matches spouse, parent, child, or sibling.
Do I need to pay a fee?
Fee amount isn’t listed on the form
→ Consult Form G‑1055 for the current fee.
Do I need a US address if I live abroad?
Form requires a US address
→ Provide a US mailing address or use a representative with one.
What if the decedent already has a Certificate of Citizenship?
USCIS won’t approve a new one except for replacement
→ File only a replacement request with the same form.
Do I need a translator for English documents?
Translator certification is required for non‑English items
→ Include a signed translator certification with contact info.
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Questions about USCIS Form N-644
What is USCIS Form N-644 used for?
This form asks the government to grant honorary citizenship to a service member who died because of injuries or illness from their military duty. If approved, a Certificate of Citizenship is issued in the veteran’s name. A recognized service organization or the Defense Department files it on behalf of the next‑of‑kin.
Who must file USCIS Form N-644?
A service organization recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary’s designee) after a request by the next‑of‑kin, must file USCIS Form N-644.
What information does USCIS Form N-644 require?
The form records the decedent’s name, date of death, and confirms the death resulted from injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by service during a period of hostilities, as certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
Where do I file USCIS Form N-644?
File the form according to the current instructions on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/n-644.
How do I complete USCIS Form N-644?
Complete only Part I of the application, using black ink and legible print. Attach extra sheets for additional information, labeling each with the page, part, and item numbers, and sign and date the form. The Department of Defense official must fill out Part III to certify the death. Do not write in Parts II, III, or IV, which are reserved for executive departments.
What happens if USCIS Form N-644 is filed incorrectly?
Missing required information or evidence may delay the decision or cause denial of the posthumous citizenship request.
Can I file more than two years after death?
The deadline rule is strict Check the filing deadline in the instructions (two years).
Am I allowed to file if I’m not an immediate family member?
Only the listed relationships qualify Verify your relationship matches spouse, parent, child, or sibling.
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