To Laminate or Not....

[masterpiece 2]

So for all you USCs, did you laminate your certifcate of Naturalization?

Any experiences out there where lamination of the certificate posed a problem?

I ask this because i was going to laminate my certificate when a friend suggested i wait until i am done with the state dept.

[Ted46 2]

Simply put, DO NOT LAMINATE your naturalization certificate. They explain it with the laminate covering certain security features.

[engineer21 51]

I would put it in a protective sleeve and into a fire proof box.

[NickD 203]

An old discussion, not only the certificate of citizenship, but in other legal documents like an SS card or a birth certificate. Can't really find anything definitive from the DOS or the USCIS on this subject, found a few that said its okay, most said it will cost you another 400 bucks and up to a years delay in getting a new certificate. A risk we weren't really to take.

Seems like the USCIS should sign your certificate in front of an officer, they don't even do that, then laminate it for you so that no changes could be made and to protect this important document, but logic doesn't work.

All I can say is, do it at your own risk.

[antda 13]

So for all you USCs, did you laminate your certifcate of Naturalization?

Any experiences out there where lamination of the certificate posed a problem?

I ask this because i was going to laminate my certificate when a friend suggested i wait until i am done with the state dept.

Masterpiece-What a good point you bring up...Interesting....

Now you make me wonder about that too....

Considering the fact too, that a green card is plastic and laminated, whereas a citizenship certificate is paper...

So on that sense, we naturalized USCs have to be more careful than permanent residents....Weird.....

And yes, do find out by the USCIS if laminating the certificate can be done legally, without making the document invalid by doing such. For example, a Social Security card cannot be laminated, as it specifically mentions such.

If not, it cannot be laminated, then you should find other means to protect such a document.

Simply put, DO NOT LAMINATE your naturalization certificate. They explain it with the laminate covering certain security features.

Ted46-What security features (other than it is printed on taper-proof watermark paper, like the kind they use for money)? And where does it say not to laminate it? Can you explain further about this?

Other than the fact that the certificate says 'it it illegal to make copies' (or something along those lines)...It doesn't mention anything outright about not laminating it.....(unless I miseed something..lol...)

Funny too, that the green card seems to contain more security features....Lol...No hologram on the certificate, for example.

I would put it in a protective sleeve and into a fire proof box.

Engineer21-That's what I did. And this was similar to what I did too, based on what others have said on VJ (thanks NickD and Kathryn41 for suggesting about such before, when I asked about such). It works well for me, and likewise, it should work for others too. Those protective sleves are available at any office supply store, and doesn't cost too much. There are options of safes, boxes and that type of thing too.

An old discussion, not only the certificate of citizenship, but in other legal documents like an SS card or a birth certificate. Can't really find anything definitive from the DOS or the USCIS on this subject, found a few that said its okay, most said it will cost you another 400 bucks and up to a years delay in getting a new certificate. A risk we weren't really to take.

Seems like the USCIS should sign your certificate in front of an officer, they don't even do that, then laminate it for you so that no changes could be made and to protect this important document, but logic doesn't work.

All I can say is, do it at your own risk.

NickD-True, that a certificate of citizenship is like a SS card or a birth certificate. However, it is MUCH easier and less costly to replace a lost/damaged/stolen SS card or a birth certificate, than a citizenship certificate. So this is a risk that one should not take lightly.

Lol...For $400, I agree, they should laminate it, or at least protect it in some way. Again, if they can laminate and make in plastic a green card, why can't they do the same for a naturalization certificate...It makes no sense...

But hey...Who said that the USCIS was logical or compentent, for that matter...

So yes, it is up to us to protect this important document in any way possible.....

By the way, I signed my certificate in front of an officer, but then again, mine was a private ceremony, so it was different there....I'm not sure how your wife did it in terms of a group ceremony...But you would think that she had to sign it in front of an officer to make it valid...I guess not then?

On a sort-of similar topic - My Canadian Citizenship Card is laminated in the original laminated covering, and my Canadian Citizenship Certificate is still in its protective sleve that they gave. Lol...That was over 20 years ago.....It still lasted....

Let's just hope that my US Naturalization Certificate lasts that long (and longer too)...lol....

By the way- As another protective measure to prove US Citizenship, all US Citizens can get US passports. So if you feel the need to carry proof of that, get that document instead....

Hope this helps. Good luck for all your journeys as USCs too!

Ant

[antda 13]

P.S. If you want proof of US Citizenship...Apply for a US Passport and/or an EDL too....

Lol..These are much easier and less costly to replace than a naturalization certificate.....

Just a thought.....

[masterpiece 2]

So here`s a true story to twist the debate a little bit...

A friend in a similar situation laminated C.O.N in 2004 immediately after receiving same

This year the lamininated C.O.N was submitted, through the passport application agency, as proof of U.S citizenship for minor child

Following the usual 4-6weeks post-application, minor was approved and U.S passport issued.

Note the C.O.N was the only document sent in as proof.

So does that not indirectly suggest that a laminated document is still a viable document?

Anyway even though story is authentic, i guess i will not be laminating...

[CaptainPenguin 5]

So here`s a true story to twist the debate a little bit...

A friend in a similar situation laminated C.O.N in 2004 immediately after receiving same

This year the lamininated C.O.N was submitted, through the passport application agency, as proof of U.S citizenship for minor child

Following the usual 4-6weeks post-application, minor was approved and U.S passport issued.

Note the C.O.N was the only document sent in as proof.

So does that not indirectly suggest that a laminated document is still a viable document?

Anyway even though story is authentic, i guess i will not be laminating...

The last few days here in Utah I have been to both the DMV and the passport office, both had clear signs saying that laminating your certificate would instantly make it invalid. I would not do it. However, this only really makes sense at the DMV because the passport people can look up the certificate number to certify the authenticity.

Edited June 24, 2010 by CaptainPenguin