Can't renew driver's license-US citizenship proof gone for passport application

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hmm, I will look into getting a license extension. Thanks for the idea Dave&Roza. I do have a copy of the Naturalization Certificate and of the notice saying I passed my citizenship test.

Does USCIS actually give official notices that you are a citizen when you have neither the certificate or passport in your hands?

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If you have a current digital NJ DL that is 4 points, use your SSC and a bank statement to get to 6 points. Does your SSC have the wording "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION ONLY" or is it what we call a clean SSC with no restrictions. That along with the copy of the Naturalization Certificate might get you at least a temporary DL to get you by. The SSC without the wording is given only to USC and LPR so that might be able to get you by. It is a royal pain that the USCIS gives you one official Naturalization Certificate and the Department of State required you to give it up to get a passport. Why can't the person taking your passport application make a photocopy and indicate that it is a true copy of the original Naturalization Certificate and give the original back to you since it is so important?

Good luck,

Dave

[mina15 2]

Dave,

Is there really such thing as a temporary license or extension in NJ? I do have a clean SSC.

Excuse my lack of acronym knowledge but what does LPR stand for? Lawful permanent resident?

Edited July 27, 2014 by mina15

[menina 50]

When my husband was first applying for his passport, I overheard the clerk talking with someone who had already submitted the application but was concerned about getting their passport back in time for a trip. The clerk was able to change something in the computer that changed the application to expedited. The applicant had to pay more money for the expedited process, but it seems like it would be worth it in your case. This is the only example that I have, but you could try going to the place where you applied to see what they can do. I have never heard of the package being returned on request of the applicant, but it can't hurt to ask. Good luck!

[mina15 2]

I went to the post office I applied in and they only told me to call the National Passport Information Center and see if they can expedite it.

Keep the suggestions coming! I appreciate the ideas so far

I'll keep you guys posted on what happens.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Dave,

Is there really such thing as a temporary license or extension in NJ? I do have a clean SSC.

Excuse my lack of acronym knowledge but what does LPR stand for? Lawful permanent resident?

Yes LPR=lawful permanent residence. I do not know about NJ, but according to their website you have the required documents to get a NJ DL plus you already have one, but as I understand your post there is some sort of notation indicating you are a LPR and not a USC. I would like to think that some drone at the DMV could give you a temporary DL (or a permanent one) based on the fact that you have a SSC issued only to LPR or USC and documentation of your Naturalization process. If all else fails, you could do as the post above suggests, but I will not condone that as it violates the TOS here on VJ. However, here in CO we have a lot of people who entered the US in a questionable manner and are driving and only get caught when they hit a poor innocent young boy crossing the street and the driver was drunk off his a$$. Is he even being charged with murder?! Or facing deportation? No, just leaving the scene of an accident and vehicular manslaughter. What a joke.

I hope it all works out for you.

Dave

[Ryan H 3,818]

***Post advocating illegal activity removed.***

~~~Topic moved from US Citizenship General Discussion to Passports sub-forum; topic pertains to the Passport application process.~~~

[Gosia & Tito 199]

My license has a Temporary Immigration Status notation. They noticed this at the DMV and they require proof of my legal presence in the US. Which I don't have right now as I mentioned in the very first post of this thread.

Any ideas anyone??

Do you have (or can get any) any paperwork from the post office showing you have a pending passport application, with date of application??

Would you be able to bring that up to the MVD and show indirect proof you are a citizen? Or at least to get a temporary extension based on that documentation?

[CowBoE 429]

You must send over your original Naturalization Certificate when you are applying for the first time.

Not that this makes any difference now that the document has been sent,

but at least according to the official passport web site...

On this "First Time Applicant" page.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/new.html

towards the bottom, it says the following...

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/secondary-evidence1.html

• If you cannot submit primary identification, please see Secondary Identification

[Ian H. 207]

You are able to get the passport application expedited after sending it in, I have done so before. The thing is that they may or may not require proof of international travel within 2 weeks. So I would call the national passport service and see if they can either get the passport expedited after you explain the situation. If they do it, they will require the additional $60 fee paid over the phone. The other possibility is to ask if they could send you the naturalization cert before the actual passport once they verify it. I'm not sure about the second option because I don't know how they verify the authenticity or how long it takes. Even if they do let you expedite it without need for travel, it may still take a week or two because that I know they prioritize in order of who has to travel internationally most urgently. Some people suggested you make an infopass, it's possible you could get some proof of your citizenship from them, like a letter or something. If that's possible, it would be up to the dmv if they want to accept it. Good luck!

[Hypnos 6,577]

You can submit secondary proof of identification, but you cannot submit secondary proof of citizenship for a naturalised citizen. The OP had no choice but to send his original naturalisation certificate with his passport application.

Edited July 27, 2014 by Hypnos

[CowBoE 429]

You can submit secondary proof of identification, but you cannot submit secondary proof of citizenship for a naturalised citizen. The OP had no choice but to send his original naturalisation certificate with his passport application.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/new.html

4. Present Identification

When applying for a U.S. passport in person, acceptable identification must be presented at the time of application.

Primary Identification (One of the following):

• Previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport
• Naturalization Certificate
• Valid Driver's License
• Current Government ID (city, state or federal)
• Current Military ID (military and dependents)

NOTES:

• If you cannot submit primary identification, please see Secondary Identification.
• If you apply at an Acceptance Facility and submit out-of-state primary identification, you must present an additional ID document, as well. For example, if you apply in Maryland with a Virginia Driver's License, you must present a second ID containing as much of the following information as possible: your photo, full name, date of birth and the document issuance date.
• If you have undergone or are going through gender transition, please see these additional requirements.

[Hypnos 6,577]

I'm not sure you understood what I said.

[CowBoE 429]

I'm not sure you understood what I said.

I stand corrected. After reading over for the 3rd time, I think you are right.

Proving US citizenship is separate from providing identification.

[Bill and Vicky 25]

The issue that State is having with the computer crash...will this affect new passport applications in the U.S., or just at the overseas sites?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2458180/state-department-computer-crash-slows-visa-passport-applications-worldwide.html

The article says "consular", so that would not affect U.S. mainland operations, would it?

Regards,

Bill

[mina15 2]

Hey guys,

So here's what happened.

The DMV would not take anything that wasn't an original copy, I inquired about a possible extension and they don't give them.

I called up the passport info center and they gave me the option to either request to have them send me the certificate back or expedite the application.

Since there's no way to trace anything if I requested to have them send it back I opted for rushing the application.

Now I just have to keep checking my application status online like a maniac and just wait to get it back. They send a tracking number for the passport but the certificate gets sent back via regular mail within 2 weeks.

I can now breathe a little calmer.

They mentioned the computer crash won't affect brand new passport apps so I'm good.

Thanks all for your suggestions! This is very helpful forum community!