Crossing Back Into US With Naturalization Certificate

[BigDaddy28 228]

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. :-)

Hi JimmyHou, I'm glad to see that you are active in helping people with their situation. I've read a lot of your posts and you got a lot of knowledge, keep it up. I wanted to congratulate you on your citizenship as well. Sorry for being late though.

I wanted to comment about this because everything is right except for one thing. The kids if they are under 18 are US citizens automatically if the parents becomes a citizen. Meaning they are not eligible, they are citizens and they have to have a passport the minute after the parent became a US citizen. They will keep the green card because they don't have to go by the process an adult has to go through, but they have to have to a passport.

[JimmyHou 613]

Hi JimmyHou, I'm glad to see that you are active in helping people with their situation. I've read a lot of your posts and you got a lot of knowledge, keep it up. I wanted to congratulate you on your citizenship as well. Sorry for being late though.

I wanted to comment about this because everything is right except for one thing. The kids if they are under 18 are US citizens automatically if the parents becomes a citizen. Meaning they are not eligible, they are citizens and they have to have a passport the minute after the parent became a US citizen. They will keep the green card because they don't have to go by the process an adult has to go through, but they have to have to a passport.

Hi! It's good to see you on here again!

Just to clarify, I'm just an LPR; I'd hate to get in trouble for claiming to be a USC! ;-)

I agree with you on the issue of kids becoming automatic USCs except for one thing that confuses me.

This is unrelated to the OP's question so we can discuss it elsewhere... but I've been curious about kids from countries that don't allow dual citizenship. The mother or father may want to become citizens but may not want the kids to become citizens. So does the law force them to become USCs and thereby lose their original nationality? It's a little odd.

Either way, the OP's child should be able to get a passport in the same timeframe as long as the passport agency accepts the expedite request.

[BigDaddy28 228]

Hi! It's good to see you on here again!

Just to clarify, I'm just an LPR; I'd hate to get in trouble for claiming to be a USC! ;-)

I agree with you on the issue of kids becoming automatic USCs except for one thing that confuses me.

This is unrelated to the OP's question so we can discuss it elsewhere... but I've been curious about kids from countries that don't allow dual citizenship. The mother or father may want to become citizens but may not want the kids to become citizens. So does the law force them to become USCs and thereby lose their original nationality? It's a little odd.

Either way, the OP's child should be able to get a passport in the same timeframe as long as the passport agency accepts the expedite request.

That's a very good question. I'm sorry I thought you already DoD go through it, I dont want to get you in trouble too. If you want ill make post that as a question. I would want to know the answer too.

[carocaro 22]

I didn't have travel dates, but have an aged father who was unwell, and I couldn't part with my US papers and risk not being able to travel last minute. I drove down to the expedited passport office in Tucson the day after the Naturalization and nicely explained our situation. I received the passport an hour later :-)

Edited November 17, 2014 by carocaro