Help!! Certificate

[dannyh86 3]

I became a citizen on December 16, 2010 and when I got home I placed the certificate on my desk. I totally forgot to put it away in a safe place and this morning, my two year old got a pen and scribbled on the right hand side of it I should of placed it on a safe place right away, I know it's my fault He mostly marked the area with no writing so it's not marking the photo or much of the writing. My question is how much is it to get a new one??? Is there a way to erase pen somehow? Thanks everybody

[YuAndDan 153]

Not sure about erasing pen marks, should not be a problem though.

Anyway replacement cost is $345 N-565

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=a910cac09aa5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

I would live with the markings, and put it in a safe place.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

No, the certificate shouldn't have been on your desk. It also shouldn't have been in the safe. You should have dropped it off on December 17 or 18, or 19 at the post office when applying for a US passport. After you have done that, you wouldn't need to show the certificate again, ever.

Well, at this point, you may try to apply for a passport with it. If you get lucky, they'll accept it and that will solve your problem. If they don't try another passport agency first. if they both deny it, you will have to order a replacement.

[v333k 59]

Probably markings on it (even if erased) can still show and could render your certificate as voided. Did you get a passport yet? If yes, then maybe it is ok since that also shows proof of citizenship, so you can wait a little before ordering a new one. I think in the end - you should order a new certificate before the price goes up...

They may not accept it with markings....

[Jadenjewel 9]

The way to remove pen ink from paper is by using acetone. It is the best liquid because acetone evaporates very fast. I did a science project on removing ink and here is what I found:

1. Acetone is the best for paper preservation because it does not saturate the paper as the other liquids do. It is also fast drying because of its evaporation factor. Acetone works on a lot of pen inks but not all.

2. Bleach works well on more inks then acetone but it saturates the paper and makes it very wet and easily torn.

4. Denatured alcohol works very well on inks that acetone will remove and its wet factor is more than acetone but no where near as bad as bleach. The paper dries pretty fast and is preserved as acetone's is.

Hope this helps!

. Try it on another piece of paper first. Kids

Hope that does it for you!

[jodee 30]

No, the certificate shouldn't have been on your desk. It also shouldn't have been in the safe. You should have dropped it off on December 17 or 18, or 19 at the post office when applying for a US passport. After you have done that, you wouldn't need to show the certificate again, ever.

Well, at this point, you may try to apply for a passport with it. If you get lucky, they'll accept it and that will solve your problem. If they don't try another passport agency first. if they both deny it, you will have to order a replacement.

Bob,

I know you mean well, but really was that all necessary.

He already established in his own comments , it was his own fault. Sometimes, things, like family ( particularly kids ) get in the way of what we SHOULD do. He wasn't complaining, just asking for advice,..not a personal berating.

Maybe he does not have the money right now to apply for a passport, I know I sure as the dickens don't! And I have to get 3 of them,..mine and my two daughters.

My certificate, is still in the porta file I took with me, which I conveniently tossed on the floor in the corner of my bedroom next to my bedside table, not the best place by far. But I will get around to putting it away. Now, I had better go move that cup of coffee from my bedside table, just in case....

DANNY, just call the passports office and ask if it will affect you getting a passport issued. If they say no, its fine you'll be sweet, and won't of wasted more money on something that really only needs to be used once.

Edited December 24, 2010 by jodee

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Jodee,

your point is well taken and seen from your point of view I totally agree with you. To my defense let me tell you that my often brutally honest comments--whether they concern lost Green Cards or lost/damaged Certificates--are aimed at those other VJ members who also put those valuable documents in a place where an accident is waiting to happen.

If only one of us here scratches their head afterward and puts their GC or Certificate in a safe place, they will safe lots of money and unnecessary headaches which IMNSHO makes it all worth it.

[NickD 203]

Jodee,

your point is well taken and seen from your point of view I totally agree with you. To my defense let me tell you that my often brutally honest comments--whether they concern lost Green Cards or lost/damaged Certificates--are aimed at those other VJ members who also put those valuable documents in a place where an accident is waiting to happen.

If only one of us here scratches their head afterward and puts their GC or Certificate in a safe place, they will safe lots of money and unnecessary headaches which IMNSHO makes it all worth it.

One only need to be aware of the outrageous price the USCIS charges for a replacement certificate or a green card and the extreme long delays and forms that have to be filled out to be a bit more careful. Way out of proportion for say a replacement drivers' license, 14 buck in my state, and you are already in the database so no need to fill out long forms, or if a natural born citizen for a replacement birth certificate, eight bucks for the first copy, five bucks each for additional ones, and you are permitted to have more than one birth certificate.

Feel using any form of chemical on the certificate is high risk as can creep into the certificate itself and deface it and is a fairly low grade of paper that would saturate very easily, really can't mask off the area you want to clean and will look like it was tampered with.

Wife and I love it when our two year old granddaughter spends a weekend with us, but have to childproof the house first as she is faster than a speeding bullet. Can't even think about doing other projects, and believe me, her parents need a break. She knows exactly where I keep my colored pencils in my desk, we purchased her own table and chair set, and make sure she has blank paper to scribble on.

Still don't know why the USCIS can't plastic encapsulate that certificate, and none of us can find out if it is legal to do it ourselves. Really a cheapass piece of paper.

[jodee 30]

Bob,

I appreciate and totally get your reply, I know your comments can be harsh at times, and they are good for a dose of reality,..it just seemed like you were kicking a man when he was down, even though I fully know that was not your intention...no harm no foul....

And Nick,..again...I totally get what your saying about the cost involved for a second rate piece of paper. But, I choose to live my life not worrying about the what-if's ya know? what if I leave it, and spill a cup of coffee on it, or my dog chews it etc etc.

Thats not meant to be a derogatory statement,...I just dont go around preparing myself, by trying to predict the what-if's, that's just way to much unnecessary stress.. I mean , we have savings etc,..but we don't have it for a just in case something goes wrong moment per se...

We are a spontaneous afmily, that live in the here and now pretty much.

I know Danny could of been more careful, but I am sure he was not expecting his two year old to specifically target a certificate, he had forgotten he had left somewhere , you know what I mean? His lil one, has probably done stuff like that before, on the odd bill, or empty envelope. The kid had no idea what that paper was.

With that said,....I hope you gentlemen have a lovely Christmas with your families...x.x