Passport order

[olna83 20]

Hey VJs,

Those who applied for passport or those who may know the answer from other sources.

I applied for the passport last Sunday. I was freaking out to give away my only proof of the immigration status...But they require to attach the original naturalization certificate. And the lady who served me at the agency said they will send my certificate back within a week although the passport will arrive in 4-6 weeks.

It's been a week and three days - I haven't got the certificate back. Does anyone know what's the normal wait? Should I call them and ask?

Thank you.

Edited July 23, 2015 by olna83

[Shauneg 762]

You should be getting it soon. They give a timeframe but normally it's really an estimate that is based on many things. If it were I...I would wait one more week. In all my years and everyone I've ever come across, I have yet to see anybody's documentation get lost from the passport folks. I dealt with upwards of about 500 passports processed in my prior position at my job..and personally.

[Shauneg 762]

To answer your question more directly. 3 weeks is not uncommon. I would start calling after that point,

[Buckyball 22]

Took two weeks before I got mine back. Think it's a very weak system that people need to send the original certificate and it's even worse that they won't pay for a replacement if it's getting lost.

[olna83 20]

Guys, thank you all!

[Strudel78 0]

I got my certificate back after I got my passport in the mail.

[DC85 113]

I am not sure if what she told you is right. They send the certificate after issuing the passport not before

[ExPatty 502]

She had no idea what she was talking about (it's okay--just because they accept passports doesn't mean they know the rules particularly well or the process). The current passport processing time is currently 4-6 weeks and you shouldn't expect to get the passport or the cert until this time period. You may very well get the cert after the passport.

If I were you I would not start worrying at all until the 6 week mark, and you can see the status online with your passport receipt number, though the status doesn't update particularly well; basically there is either "yes we have your application" and "we've issued the passport".

Getting the cert first by weeks makes no sense. It is a crucial part of the packet and the adjudication of the application requires it, so it is looked at during the actual processing of the passport.

Edited July 24, 2015 by ExPatty

[olna83 20]

She had no idea what she was talking about (it's okay--just because they accept passports doesn't mean they know the rules particularly well or the process). The current passport processing time is currently 4-6 weeks and you shouldn't expect to get the passport or the cert until this time period. You may very well get the cert after the passport.

If I were you I would not start worrying at all until the 6 week mark, and you can see the status online with your passport receipt number, though the status doesn't update particularly well; basically there is either "yes we have your application" and "we've issued the passport".

Getting the cert first by weeks makes no sense. It is a crucial part of the packet and the adjudication of the application requires it, so it is looked at during the actual processing of the passport.

Thanks ExPatty!

That's very strange...She did say I should receive my passport in 4-6 weeks which is a standard option. And also she mentioned that I should receive my certificate sooner. I thought at first that this is the process. Once the information on the certificate is verified on their end the passport is then due for generating and printing which will take a few weeks, and the certificate is heading back to me in the meantime.

Anyways, thank you for the comment. Based on your and other VJs' experience I shouldn't worry at this point.

[TBoneTX 45,289]

*** Thread moved from main US Citizenship forum to the "Passports, etc." subforum. ***

[VFittipaldi 30]

I got my passport first, it came after like 2 weeks and my certificate came later.

They also bent it in the process of mailing it so it had a crease mark on it. I was mad.

Don't worry they will send you everything.

[dioxide45 25]

The only way I know to be able to hold on to your certificate when applying, is to apply at a Passport Agency. They will review the original certificate when they take your passport application and give it back right their. The Dept of State does not extend the ability of Acceptance Agencies to verify proof of citizenship, so you have to send your original naturalization certificate with the application.

Edited August 16, 2015 by dioxide45