Failure! SS citizenship record update

[xyz12345 260]

Just needed a citizenship record update after naturalization. No need for either original or replacement card.

 

Failure! SS needed Certificate of Naturalization! They said they need the info on it. Just brought US passport but not the Certificate of Naturalization that I still have to receive back from passport processing. Nowhere on their website or anywhere else that stated that Certificate is needed if there's a US passport.

 

Called SSA 1-800 number just to confirm if this is new policy or what because I would hate to wait another 1 hr 10 min for a record change! I could have come back later in the afternoon without the wait time but I don't have yet the Certificate.

 

Anyway, the person on the phone says that it seems to be a local SS rule and that it would be better to go back with the Certificate. Yup. Lesson learned!

 

My recommendation then after naturalization?

passport, SS (bring passport AND certificate of naturalization and maybe even orig SS card), DL.

 

 

 

 

 

[jkstark 97]

36 minutes ago, xyz12345 said:

Just needed a citizenship record update after naturalization. No need for either original or replacement card.

 

Failure! SS needed Certificate of Naturalization! They said they need the info on it. Just brought US passport but not the Certificate of Naturalization that I still have to receive back from passport processing. Nowhere on their website or anywhere else that stated that Certificate is needed if there's a US passport.

 

Called SSA 1-800 number just to confirm if this is new policy or what because I would hate to wait another 1 hr 10 min for a record change! I could have come back later in the afternoon without the wait time but I don't have yet the Certificate.

 

Anyway, the person on the phone says that it seems to be a local SS rule and that it would be better to go back with the Certificate. Yup. Lesson learned!

 

My recommendation then after naturalization?

passport, SS (bring passport AND certificate of naturalization and maybe even orig SS card), DL.

 

Sounds like the office in question needs to be aware of the law...  A passport is prima facie evidence of United States citizenship. 

 

If you have a US Passport, then by virtue of having that passport, you are a citizen of the United States.  The passport serves as proof of that citizenship.  No other documentation is required to prove citizenship.

 

This is codified in 22 U.S. Code § 2705, though it is a bit more limiting than the DoS clause in that the DoS will accept a passport as proof of citizenship even if it has expired.  I did not go any further in researching it, but you can see the references here as well:  https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/2705. 

 

Also, note that USCIS specifically mentions this as well - " Wait at least 10 days after your ceremony before doing so and be prepared to show them your Certificate of Naturalization or your U.S. passport": https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Office of Citizenship/Citizenship Resource Center Site/Publications/PDFs/M-767.pdf 

Edited March 26, 2019 by jkstark
Add USCIS comment

[jkstark 97]

And - let's continue on this thread and add in yet another reference - this time from Social Security itself:

 

"We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport."

 

This is on their webpages at https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

[xyz12345 260]

19 minutes ago, jkstark said:

Sounds like the office in question needs to be aware of the law...  A passport is prima facie evidence of United States citizenship. 

 

If you have a US Passport, then by virtue of having that passport, you are a citizen of the United States.  The passport serves as proof of that citizenship.  No other documentation is required to prove citizenship.

 

This is codified in 22 U.S. Code § 2705, though it is a bit more limiting than the DoS clause in that the DoS will accept a passport as proof of citizenship even if it has expired.  I did not go any further in researching it, but you can see the references here as well:  https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/2705. 

 

Also, note that USCIS specifically mentions this as well - " Wait at least 10 days after your ceremony before doing so and be prepared to show them your Certificate of Naturalization or your U.S. passport": https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Office of Citizenship/Citizenship Resource Center Site/Publications/PDFs/M-767.pdf 

yup, that's why i was unpleasantly surprised. The person said they need the info that was on the certificate of naturalization. I should have asked why. I just kept insisting I have a U S passport.

 

I could go back and argue again but I don't want to waste another 30 min of my time driving back and forth to that office. Next time I'll probably just line up wayyyy early in the morning so i can be seen immediately as soon as it opens at 9 am. I'll just get this over with asap.

[bestluck 71]

3 hours ago, xyz12345 said:

yup, that's why i was unpleasantly surprised. The person said they need the info that was on the certificate of naturalization. I should have asked why. I just kept insisting I have a U S passport.

 

I could go back and argue again but I don't want to waste another 30 min of my time driving back and forth to that office. Next time I'll probably just line up wayyyy early in the morning so i can be seen immediately as soon as it opens at 9 am. I'll just get this over with asap.

Well Since I have change name so i have to take passport or naturalization certificated I guess I will take everything with me .

 

Thanks for share  

[xyz12345 260]

2 hours ago, bestluck said:

Well Since I have change name so i have to take passport or naturalization certificated I guess I will take everything with me .

 

Thanks for share  

Yup, just bring everything with you. And if there is SS representative at the oath ceremony, just do it then.

[Hypnos 6,577]

That office is mistaken. A US passport (book or card) serves as primary proof of US citizenship for all purposes, including Social Security. 

 

You may wish to visit a different SSA office... One that actually knows and follows the law. 

[xyz12345 260]

3 hours ago, Hypnos said:

That office is mistaken. A US passport (book or card) serves as primary proof of US citizenship for all purposes, including Social Security. 

 

You may wish to visit a different SSA office... One that actually knows and follows the law. 

 Unfortunately, the closest one is 37 miles away. Can I update my record at any SSA office regardless of state? I even asked the guy at the SSA if i can just set up an appt but he said no. Aannnnddd then you look at the website and it suggests to call the 1800 to set up an appt. I'll check if this is true though. Google reviews of a lot of SSA offices are pretty bad! I'm glad my purpose is much simpler for now.

[Hypnos 6,577]

Yes you can go to any SSA office. I went to a different office than my usual one to update my citizenship status since I had heard this other one was faster. And sure enough, I was in and out in under an hour, and it was quite busy. 

 

Actually updating my status took five minutes once my number was called. I showed her my passport card, she made a copy, and that was about it. 

Edited March 27, 2019 by Hypnos

[xyz12345 260]

finally done with SS citizenship record update after a second trip!

 

Brought both passport and certificate with me and went 30 min before closing time. This is actually better than being there first thing in the morning because there were not a lot of people left. I probably got called within 25-30 min.

 

Some comments:

1) last time's SS guy was correct. Cannot set an appointment for this purpose. First come first serve.

2) Don't just say you're here for a "citizenship record update." That drew a blank look from the woman at the window who then asked "to what?" I should have explained a little bit more.

 

3) When she asked for the Cert of Naturalization, I asked if I can use the passport. She said of course! Geeeezzzzz...  I explained to her what happened 2 days ago (that I even showed the guy my passport), gave her my stub number then, which window then, description of the guy, that I even saw him a few minutes ago, etc... She said that I should have insisted to see the supervisor that day because I've waited a long time. Yup, I learned a huge lesson! She'll make sure though to tell the supervisor so that everyone knows the correct requirements for the next time. It was obviously a much happier, 'pain free' experience. I'm glad I'm done!

 

 

 

 

Edited March 29, 2019 by xyz12345

[br9k 23]

What's that update of citizenship status for Social Security? (I've been a US citizen for close to 20 years now, never updated anything at the SS, never even visited an office since I got my original SS card 30 years ago). Perhaps it's something I should look into.

[xyz12345 260]

17 minutes ago, br9k said:

What's that update of citizenship status for Social Security? (I've been a US citizen for close to 20 years now, never updated anything at the SS, never even visited an office since I got my original SS card 30 years ago). Perhaps it's something I should look into.

Yes, updating your status to US citizen. Below is a example why they recommend you to go to the SS. It's dated but I would assume that it still applies though.

 

https://blogs.lawyers.com/attorney/immigration/naturalized-citizens-must-notify-social-security-1542/

 

[br9k 23]

Curious, but not very specific. I've dealt with a number of state and federal agencies in 20 years, changed jobs, and did plenty of other things that may have depended on the citizenship status. If the other party cared at all, they asked for a passport (or other proof of status).

 

That is not to say that visiting an SS office is a difficult thing to do, of course. But I really would be interested in seeing one specific example of where it made a difference (i.e. someone in a real life situation where they did not update their SS status, and were impacted in some way). 

[xyz12345 260]

1 hour ago, br9k said:

Curious, but not very specific. I've dealt with a number of state and federal agencies in 20 years, changed jobs, and did plenty of other things that may have depended on the citizenship status. If the other party cared at all, they asked for a passport (or other proof of status).

 

That is not to say that visiting an SS office is a difficult thing to do, of course. But I really would be interested in seeing one specific example of where it made a difference (i.e. someone in a real life situation where they did not update their SS status, and were impacted in some way). 

you're right about other citizenship proof. Actually during my first attempt to update my record, I asked the SS guy if we really need to do this since I knew someone who has been a citizen for a while who hadn't updated hers. His answer is more in the line of 'you don't have to but everyone should do it.'  I guess it has been been drilled on my mind the 3 things I need to do soon after becoming a citizen: voter registration, passport, SS citizen record update. Then I can say I'm really done with the naturalization process!

Edited April 14, 2019 by xyz12345

[nguoivietnam2019 67]

When my mother became USC,  my sister became USC as well as my sister was under 18 at the time.  The only proof of USC for my sister is her passport as putting $ to get  her a certificate would be waste of money, it has been more than a decade and my sister has not face any issue with just her passport.