Oath Ceremony on Aug. 15

[Mitchamy 0]

Hello to all,

Just recieved my Oath Ceremony letter and its scheduled on the 15th of August. But we have some concern, we are schedule to go to Canada on the 16th, can i use my Philippine passport and since have to surrender my green card, can i use

the Naturalization Certificate to enter Canada?

All respond will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Amy

[X Factor 1,112]

Your Naturalization Certificate can be used. Have an enjoyable trip.

[Mitchamy 0]

Your Naturalization Certificate can be used. Have an enjoyable trip.

Thank you for the fast reply.

Feel better now!

[let-it-be 36]

Hello to all,

Just recieved my Oath Ceremony letter and its scheduled on the 15th of August. But we have some concern, we are schedule to go to Canada on the 16th, can i use my Philippine passport and since have to surrender my green card, can i use

the Naturalization Certificate to enter Canada?

All respond will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Amy

It is required by law that you use your US passport.

Section 215 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1185) requires U.S. citizens to use U.S. passports when entering or leaving the United States

(b) Except as otherwise provided by the President and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may authorize and prescribe, it shall be unlawful for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter, the United States unless he bears a valid United States passport.

[Ontarkie 14,221]

Your naturalization certificate can notbe used to enter the US. They were very clear about that during my oath ceremony. You will need a US passport.

[sasaqlain 24]

Hello to all,

Just recieved my Oath Ceremony letter and its scheduled on the 15th of August. But we have some concern, we are schedule to go to Canada on the 16th, can i use my Philippine passport and since have to surrender my green card, can i use

the Naturalization Certificate to enter Canada?

All respond will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Amy

The answer is simply No. you need to wait till you get your US passport. And you cannot re-enter with your Naturalization certificate. That may be a proof of citizenship, but its not a travel document and without a US passport, you would be violating the law.

Edited August 8, 2012 by PathaN

[Mitchamy 0]

Thanks for all the reply.

My husband just contact USCIS and explain the situation and the officer said we well be question/ detain for a few but since we will be in Canada for 4 days only to attend a friends wedding we will be alright. Just to make sure bring my Naturalization Cert,Photo ID( State ID) and Birth Cert.

[Presley 4]

Thanks for all the reply.

My husband just contact USCIS and explain the situation and the officer said we well be question/ detain for a few but since we will be in Canada for 4 days only to attend a friends wedding we will be alright. Just to make sure bring my Naturalization Cert,Photo ID( State ID) and Birth Cert.

Wouldn't take that chance

[TimeTravel 78]

You must have an american passport to re-enter the U.S. No exceptions. You CAN get a passport in one of two ways. If you live in or near a Regional Passport Agency, you can call for an appointment, go, wait , and get your passport the same day. See 1st site below for location of passport agencies, 2nd site for how to call for an appointment. The other way is to use one of the private companies that goes to the passport agency for you and gets the passport. They are licensed by the gov't and are reliable.

Ref: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100430161252AAfiftJ

[Tahoma 2,292]

There are two issues:

1. Entering Canada.

2. Returning to the U.S.

Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law. Please see the CBSA’s website for details. Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card (see below) satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.

For further information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Canadian Embassy at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001, tel. (202) 682-1740; or the Canadian consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Juan or Seattle.

If a U.S. citizen traveling to Canada does not have a passport, passport card, or approved alternate document such as a NEXUS card, they must show a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport. Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship. (Please see below for important information concerning re-entry into the United States.)

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

Source: U.S. Department of State.

Also...

If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as photo identification.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (www.cbsa.gc.ca)

My opinion: You can go to Canada (and return to the U.S.) as long as you are not flying.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Here's the link for the Canada Border Services Agency website.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Your Naturalization Certificate can be used. Have an enjoyable trip.

Invalid advice - No you cannot - they specifically tell you at the oath ceremony not to try and travel without first getting a US passport. You cannot use your citizneship certificate to reenter the US.

[ManuFred 10]

Invalid advice - No you cannot - they specifically tell you at the oath ceremony not to try and travel without first getting a US passport. You cannot use your citizneship certificate to reenter the US.

For a fact, there are other options to enter Canada and re-enter US from there then passport/GC. In some bordering states they offer enhanced DL for instance which allow you to travel between Canada and US. I think Tahoma is right although it would be nice if his explanation regarding re-entry could also be verified by a US source, preferably the US border agency.

Nevertheless, it is just easier to carry a passport(card) instead of your CON.

At oath ceremony they just put out a generic statement as lot of people think that as US citizens they are free to go wherever they want, especially if they become dual citizens. As you will have re-entry trouble in most cases they advice you not to leave the US until you have your passport. It doesn't mean that exceptions don't apply.

[Mitchamy 0]

There are two issues:

1. Entering Canada.

2. Returning to the U.S.

Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law. Please see the CBSA's website for details. Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card (see below) satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.

For further information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Canadian Embassy at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001, tel. (202) 682-1740; or the Canadian consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Juan or Seattle.

If a U.S. citizen traveling to Canada does not have a passport, passport card, or approved alternate document such as a NEXUS card, they must show a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver's License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport. Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship. (Please see below for important information concerning re-entry into the United States.)

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

Source: U.S. Department of State.

Also...

If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as photo identification.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (www.cbsa.gc.ca)

My opinion: You can go to Canada (and return to the U.S.) as long as you are not flying.

Thank you! Thats what the officer told us today. We are not flying and my CON will be so recent. We'll take our chances and keep you all posted of the consequences of our actions.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Here is an article from CBP about some people who tried to enter the U.S. using counterfeit certificates of naturalization.