rec'd US passport but Naturalization cert is missing

[awaterlily 0]

My husband's passport arrived in 11 days from application sent (not expedited). We mailed the application along with his new naturalization certificate. However, the naturalization certificate was not returned with the new passport.

Does the gov mail it back seperately or should we contact them?

[MsAnn 0]

Don't worry, they mail it separately. It should arrive in a few days.

[NickD 202]

We paid for expedient service, cheap passport came in on a Wednesday and I had to sign for it, expensive certificate came in the following Friday in a cheap paper envelop from the same exact address with a first class stamp on it. But fortunately, it was not damaged nor lost.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yep, they are sent in SEPARATE enevlopes

[TayRivers 4]

The Wife's passport arrived last Monday and her Certificate arrived on Friday. So this is normal.

[NickD 202]

The Wife's passport arrived last Monday and her Certificate arrived on Friday. So this is normal.

May be normal, but still doesn't it make it logical, but logical is not even in the vocabulary of these governmental agencies.

[awaterlily 0]

it came in the mail today.

Thanks for insight, everyone!

[jasminelily 1]

it came in the mail today.

Thanks for insight, everyone!

Good! Glad it went back to you timely. Is the natr. cert. fine? or was it folded/damaged? I hope not.

[jasminelily 1]

The Wife's passport arrived last Monday and her Certificate arrived on Friday. So this is normal.

May be normal, but still doesn't it make it logical, but logical is not even in the vocabulary of these governmental agencies.

Really don't know what to say except .

[MsAnn 0]

I wish the state dept would take a few more steps to ensure the safety of the naturalization certificates and passports. They are such important documents! Even if they had to charge a few dollars more.

[awaterlily 0]

jasminelily: It was returned in the same condition as sent, with the exception of two staple holes in the upper right hand edge.

MsAnn: ITA. I noticed on the Nat Cert's left hand lower corner, in red text, it states, in so many words, it's against US law to duplicate, photocopy or even photograph the Naturalization certificate. (this immediately made me wonder how many new immigrants broke this law because they were photographed holding their brand new certs.)

If it gets lost or damaged who knows how long one would have to wait to get a duplicate.

I wish the state dept would take a few more steps to ensure the safety of the naturalization certificates and passports. They are such important documents! Even if they had to charge a few dollars more.

[jasminelily 1]

MsAnn: ITA. I noticed on the Nat Cert's left hand lower corner, in red text, it states, in so many words, it's against US law to duplicate, photocopy or even photograph the Naturalization certificate. (this immediately made me wonder how many new immigrants broke this law because they were photographed holding their brand new certs.)

hmm... does it say anything about scan or digitalized? how about all those when you go google images that popped up?

[awaterlily 0]

I double checked and it says exactly in red text and caps:

"IT IS PUNISHABLE BY U. S. LAW TO COPY, PRINT, OR PHOTOGRAPH THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTHORITY"

I would assume that 'copy' includes scanning or digitizing because in doing so one would make a copy, no matter the form.

hmm... does it say anything about scan or digitalized? how about all those when you go google images that popped up?

[MsAnn 0]

I double checked and it says exactly in red text and caps:

"IT IS PUNISHABLE BY U. S. LAW TO COPY, PRINT, OR PHOTOGRAPH THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTHORITY"

I would assume that 'copy' includes scanning or digitizing because in doing so one would make a copy, no matter the form.

Even more strange, on this form that is the form you use if you lose your certificate N-565, it says on Part 2, #2, a., that if you have a copy of your certificate to enclose the copy Maybe it's a trap (kidding)

Edited April 14, 2009 by MsAnn

[jasminelily 1]

I double checked and it says exactly in red text and caps:

"IT IS PUNISHABLE BY U. S. LAW TO COPY, PRINT, OR PHOTOGRAPH THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTHORITY"

I would assume that 'copy' includes scanning or digitizing because in doing so one would make a copy, no matter the form.

Even more strange, on this form that is the form you use if you lose your certificate N-565, it says on Part 2, #2, a., that if you have a copy of your certificate to enclose the copy Maybe it's a trap (kidding)

WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTHORITY - Does that mean that we can get a certified copy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_copy

A certified copy is a copy (often a photocopy) of a filed document, legal or other, in its entirety (everything within a staple) that is sworn to be a true copy by a court clerk or solicitor.