Crossing Back Into US With Naturalization Certificate

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I searched forums and couldn't find a recent or accurate answer and need help.

I had my naturalozation interview today and they scheduled me for oath tmrw. That's the good news part! The problem is that I have travel planned for Nov 24th driving back to Canada. I called about expedited passport and they said I need proof of travel such as flight tickets and there's no exceptions if I'm staying with family...

Anyways here's my real question:

I called border at Lewiston crossing and an officer there told me that I can cross back into US with Naturalization Certificate and my drivers license. Is this true? I don't need a passport?

Also, my son who is 11 years old. Will they take his permanent resident card at oath ceremony tmrw too? Or will he have this to use for our trip?

I want to hear for sure that I won't have issues before I leave the US lol... I'm worried that maybe I didn't get accurate info and don't want to find that out the hard way lol...

Any experts or people with experience please chime in!

Thank you!

[Ontarkie 14,221]

At the oath they will tell you that you cannot use the Certificate to enter the US. And they are very clear about not trying to use it.

But it seems from others that the USBP says you can. They are not supposed to but I guess it will depend on the officer you get.

When I got my certificate we called and emailed them and got the same answer. Except for the kids they are no longer permanent residents and we were told they needed a certificate or US passport.

I think it was last year another member needed her son to travel before they could get a passport and they were told he could use the GC to enter.

It seems no one really knows what the rules are.

[Hypnos 6,576]

By law, US citizens cannot be denied entry into the US. US citizens who enter without a US passport are technically committing a federal crime, however; that is the part that might get you into trouble. Generally nothing bad happens, but it could.

You should obtain an expedited US passport or delay your travel if at all possible.

Edited November 13, 2014 by Hypnos

[JimmyHou 611]

I searched forums and couldn't find a recent or accurate answer and need help.

I had my naturalozation interview today and they scheduled me for oath tmrw. That's the good news part! The problem is that I have travel planned for Nov 24th driving back to Canada. I called about expedited passport and they said I need proof of travel such as flight tickets and there's no exceptions if I'm staying with family...

Anyways here's my real question:

I called border at Lewiston crossing and an officer there told me that I can cross back into US with Naturalization Certificate and my drivers license. Is this true? I don't need a passport?

Also, my son who is 11 years old. Will they take his permanent resident card at oath ceremony tmrw too? Or will he have this to use for our trip?

I want to hear for sure that I won't have issues before I leave the US lol... I'm worried that maybe I didn't get accurate info and don't want to find that out the hard way lol...

Any experts or people with experience please chime in!

Thank you!

American citizens are required by law to enter the US on a US passport and not a foreign passport.

It used to be the case that the border patrol would let you in with a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

They're not supposed to do that any more, but they might.

The problem is that if they insist on seeing a passport, you will have to present an American passport.

Your son's issue is different. He will become automatically eligible for US citizenship once you take your oath.

However, he will keep his green card until he applies for a passport or gets approved for an N600 Certificate of Citizenship.

The passport office is being difficult for no reason. They should accept a letter from your parents or proof of their address in Canada. Since they are being difficult, I would book a hotel in the same town and use that as proof. Most hotels allow you to cancel at no charge up to the night before your stay. If you want, you could be up front with them and tell them that you just booked the hotel so you can show them something, and that you're staying in the same town. If you're a really cautious persone, don't cancel. Just book one night at a really cheap hotel, but I don't think that's necessary. :-)

[harryhita 0]

In my oath ceremony at Atlanta we were told the same ie cannot return without US passport. However, there was a letter/coupon in the big white envelope allowing you to apply for a expediated passport service without appointment and travel proof by walk in at Atlanta passport office.

Hope this helps.

PS I applied normal service and delivery and got my passport and certificate within 10 days after applying at Suwanee post office.

[milimelo 4,477]

When I was doing my expedited passport at the passport agency (Chicago) there was a lady with your situation - driving up to Canada. Had no issues getting the expedited passport.

[kcoyclay1 98]

I searched forums and couldn't find a recent or accurate answer and need help.

I had my naturalozation interview today and they scheduled me for oath tmrw. That's the good news part! The problem is that I have travel planned for Nov 24th driving back to Canada. I called about expedited passport and they said I need proof of travel such as flight tickets and there's no exceptions if I'm staying with family...

Anyways here's my real question:

I called border at Lewiston crossing and an officer there told me that I can cross back into US with Naturalization Certificate and my drivers license. Is this true? I don't need a passport?

Also, my son who is 11 years old. Will they take his permanent resident card at oath ceremony tmrw too? Or will he have this to use for our trip?

I want to hear for sure that I won't have issues before I leave the US lol... I'm worried that maybe I didn't get accurate info and don't want to find that out the hard way lol...

Any experts or people with experience please chime in!

Thank you!

Expedite your US passport or get the passport card that is good for crossing the border.

[JimmyHou 611]

Expedite your US passport or get the passport card that is good for crossing the border.

I think the OP's problem is that the passport office refused to schedule an expedited passport appointment without proof of travel and since the OP is driving to Canada and staying with family there is no proof of travel. I think they're being unreasonable. Perhaps the OP should try calling or stopping by again... You might get to talk to someone more reasonable.

Edited November 15, 2014 by JimmyHou

[Hypnos 6,576]

I'd actually escalate it to a supervisor at the passport office, and keep going up as necessary.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Thank you all for your replies!

I called and double checked and they accept hotel reservations as proof of travel... So let's just say I have pending hotel reservations lol...

I also found out today at my oath, that if I expedite within the next 30 days, they waive expedite fee. They said that every field office is diff and has diff requirements. Philly is not like previous poster who said they are waiving need for proof

Oh well... I have appmnt for Monday... Fingers crossed!

Thanks to all who gave me great info and insight ?????

[aimar10 7]

Mapleleafbaby, how long are you going to Canada for? From my understanding, depending on where you're going, you could actually apply for one in your own native country. In some cases, they're cheaper (passport fees!)

[JimmyHou 611]

Mapleleafbaby, how long are you going to Canada for? From my understanding, depending on where you're going, you could actually apply for one in your own native country. In some cases, they're cheaper (passport fees!)

The law says that US citizens must enter and exit the US on a US passport.

The enter part is easy to understand.

The exit part is tricky.

For a Canadian, you can just cross the border. Even at an airport, when the check-in agent sees your Canadian passport, they'll just assume you were in the US as a visaless visitor.

However, as an Egyptian, my visa or green card were always checked by the agent at check-in. If I try to leave after my oath but before I got a passport, I would have no visa and no green card.

This could be a problem because as I said earlier the law does say that you have to leave the US on an American passport.

Whatever the consequences, though, this does mean that you can't legally leave and apply for a US passport at your home consulate. There's a chance that you would get away with it (especially if you're Canadian) but it's not in compliance with State Department guidelines.

"Most U.S. nationals, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States."

http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/legal-considerations/us-citizenship-laws-policies/citizenship-and-dual-nationality/dual-nationality.html

There was a recent case of someone who was stopped at the airport because he had an expired ETSA.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/500412-stopped-at-airport-because-of-expired-esta/

The same would happen to a US citizen trying to leave using a foreign passport with no valid visa status. They may accept the Naturalization Certoficate, but they're technically not supposed to.

Edited November 15, 2014 by JimmyHou

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I'm only going for 4 days. Almost every time I have crossed Canadian border, the officer has asked what my status is in U.S. and has asked if I have my PR card with me to gain access back into US... Some have asked for me to flash it and show them.

I would never dream about crossing without proper docs or the chance that I would have issues... Lol... I'm such a safety bear that I'm willing to jump through circus hoops this week ;(

I had to book hotel, pull my son from school... Get all these docs and haul butt to city on Monday. Fingers crossed that all will go well:.. One other issue is that I have full legal custody of my son and I'm hoping that the sep agreement I used for immigration will suffice for proof that I'm the only parent needing to sign passport for my son... If that becomes an issue I think I'll officially have a nervous breakdown haha...

[DC85 113]

I know all the people are saying you will need a us passport. But, I am sure they will let you in. As long as you are a us citizen, they have to let you in. Some people use Enhanced Driving license to cross the boarders, some states offers that [ which is a DL and a proof of US/or Canadian citizenship]

but this applies only to boarder crossing not when you fly

[JimmyHou 611]

I know all the people are saying you will need a us passport. But, I am sure they will let you in. As long as you are a us citizen, they have to let you in. Some people use Enhanced Driving license to cross the boarders, some states offers that [ which is a DL and a proof of US/or Canadian citizenship]

but this applies only to boarder crossing not when you fly

This is correct. They will let you back in, although they may hassle you or make you wait a while.

Not having a passport is not sufficient for them to deny entry to a US citizen, so they'll let you in, but it is still a violation of the legal requirement to have a passport.