• Form N-644 (133 KB PDF)
• Instructions for Form N-644 (43 KB PDF)

Purpose of Form

Public Law 101-249 provides for the granting of U.S. citizenship to an alien or noncitizen national whose death resulted from injury or disease incurred on active duty with the U.S. armed services during specified periods of military hostilities. Posthumous citizenship is an honorary status commemorating the bravery and sacrifices of these persons; it does not convey any benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act to any relative of the decedent. If your application is approved, you will be issued a Certificate of Citizenship (N-645) in the name of the decedent. The certificate establishes only that the person is considered to be a citizen of the United States as of the date of his/her death, and is invalid for all other purposes. Note that the current Form N-644 edition has updated instructions regarding eligibility to apply for a Certificate of Posthumous Citizenship. One important change is that persons who die as a result of active-duty service in the U.S. armed services on or after September 11, 2001, have become eligible for U.S. citizenship. For veterans who died several years ago, another important change is the extension of the filing deadline to November 2, 2005. Until further notice, Form N-644 applications submitted on the previous (5/30/91) edition will also be accepted.

Number of Pages

Form 4; Instructions 3.

Edition Date

12/02/12. Previous editions accepted.

Where to File

Submit your completed N-644 application to the California Service Center.

Filing Fee

$0