Proof of Citizenship

[vjpro 0]

After your N-400 is accepted, you pass the interview, and take the oath. What document is given to you proving your citizenship. Is it something similar to a green card?

[eau_xplain 2]

You get a certificate of citizenship. I looked it up and I think it looks like this.

Edited May 13, 2008 by eau_xplain

[churipu 4]

They give you something called "Certificate of Naturalization" that looks a bit like a diploma, it has your pic on it (it is the one you send along with your N-400 application) and all your info, also it has a line you're supposed to legibly sign your name on. That is your proof of citizenship, you also show it to go get your new SS card, passport etc.

Edited May 13, 2008 by churipu

[Mononoke28 135]

When you travel your proof of citizenship will be your passport. Also, when you get your certificate, make sure to keep it in a safe place because it's pretty costly to replace it.

Diana

[kmineo 0]

When you travel your proof of citizenship will be your passport. Also, when you get your certificate, make sure to keep it in a safe place because it's pretty costly to replace it.

Diana

I think you have to get a passport and probably can't travel on your proof of citizenship. It seems like it would be the same as trying to travel on a Birth Certificate.

[lucyrich 20]

When you travel your proof of citizenship will be your passport. Also, when you get your certificate, make sure to keep it in a safe place because it's pretty costly to replace it.

Diana

I think you have to get a passport and probably can't travel on your proof of citizenship. It seems like it would be the same as trying to travel on a Birth Certificate.

Right. It's roughly equivalent to a birth certificate for someone born in the US. For travel by land or sea to Mexico, Canada, or the Carribean, a naturalization certificate would work as proof of citizenship, just like a birth certificate would work for a US citizen who was born in the US. But starting next summer, passports will be required for land & sea travel.

For international air travel, a passport is currently required, regardless of destination.

You don't get a passport at the oath ceremony. You can apply for a passport as soon as you become a citizen, but it'll take a little while to get.

It's probably wise to apply for a passport as soon as possible. Then you can lock up the certificate of naturalization in a safe deposit box, and use the passport whenever you need to prove citizenship (for employment eligibility, etc.) A passport is probably easier and cheaper to replace, too. And having a both a passport and a certificate of naturalization means you can keep them in separate secure locations, reducing the chances that you'll ever be left without proof of citizenship.

BTW, back to the original question, if you want something like a green card, you can apply for a passport card at the same time you apply for your conventional passport. The passport card is a wallet-sized card that's primarily intended for people who live near the border, cross frequently, and don't want to carry the big book-style passport around. But it's available to any US Citizen who wants one.

[ilovecookies 0]

BTW, back to the original question, if you want something like a green card, you can apply for a passport card at the same time you apply for your conventional passport. The passport card is a wallet-sized card that's primarily intended for people who live near the border, cross frequently, and don't want to carry the big book-style passport around. But it's available to any US Citizen who wants one.

wow i never knew that existed. thanks!! i probably won't need it, though but it's good to know.

[lucyrich 20]

BTW, back to the original question, if you want something like a green card, you can apply for a passport card at the same time you apply for your conventional passport. The passport card is a wallet-sized card that's primarily intended for people who live near the border, cross frequently, and don't want to carry the big book-style passport around. But it's available to any US Citizen who wants one.

wow i never knew that existed. thanks!! i probably won't need it, though but it's good to know.

Actually, I believe it doesn't yet exist. They've been taking applications for them for the past few months, and they're supposed to start issuing them this summer, I believe in June. Maybe the first few have already been produced, I don't know. But the reason you hadn't heard about it is because it's a very new thing.

For more info, see travel.state.gov, look for the links on how to get a passport, and/or search for "passport card".

Note that it's not good for air travel. You still need the old fashioned book-style passport for that.