DOD check could not approve my citizenship at this time

[casper119]

I tested and passed all my uscis immigration tests but the officer said that he could not approve my application because it had to be sent off to the DOD (department of defense) for a background check, i was discharged under general conditions and i have lived in the us for 30 years. is this a reason to bar me from citizenship and how long do DOD checks take?

[BigJoe5]

multiple background checks

When applying for naturalization, USCIS does multiple background checks. The fingerprints go to the FBI and that is a major part of it because most civilian law enforcement agencies report information up to the FBI.

The U.S. Military does NOT report to the FBI. That is the reason why anybody who has ever been in the U.S. Military gets an additional DOD background check based on the N-426 that you had to fill out.

They're looking for court martials and any other military court records. JAG may not have taken the case all the way to a court martial but there are still records of any investigations.

USCIS checks other databases also that connect with the CIA, Interpol, and other foreign law enforcement like Scotland Yard, Canada and Japan.

Nowadays it is faster for current and recent military member because they get that check up front from the military legal assistance folks but people long since discharged are another story. If a vet is filing an N-400 based on sections 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act they must file at a special address of USCIS and DOD checks are done before the case reaches the local office for interview. However, when someone who has been in the military files based on the general eligibilty of five years as an LPR or three years married to a USC, the military service may not be dicovered until the interview. It sounds like you fell into the last group.

Hang in there, it shouldn't take very long

Bye