Certified copy of naturalization certificate

[JHFGNDVQ 2]

Hey guys! Does anyone know if you can get a certified copy (or multiple copies) of your citizenship certificate right at the oath ceremony? As I understand, you can send a certified copy when applying for a passport, which seems much safer than sending the original document and hoping it won't be lost somewhere.

[ROC-AL 87]

11 minutes ago, JHFGNDVQ said:

Hey guys! Does anyone know if you can get a certified copy (or multiple copies) of your citizenship certificate right at the oath ceremony? As I understand, you can send a certified copy when applying for a passport, which seems much safer than sending the original document and hoping it won't be lost somewhere.

The cost of replacing one is around $725. i doubt you can get multiple copies of it and the oath ceremony provides you only with one. 

[JHFGNDVQ 2]

14 minutes ago, ROC-AL said:

The cost of replacing one is around $725. i doubt you can get multiple copies of it and the oath ceremony provides you only with one. 

Just to clarify, I meant this type of copy that they provide for free (not a second certificate):
https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/how-do-i-guides-for-us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-certified-true-copies-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

 

It requires scheduling an InfoPass appointment, so I was wondering if anyone asked to get a copy after the ceremony.

[millefleur 5,047]

**Moved from US Citizenship General Discussion to Passports, etc. - What to do now that you are a US citizen**

[zeal4thil 7]

10 hours ago, JHFGNDVQ said:

Just to clarify, I meant this type of copy that they provide for free (not a second certificate):
https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/how-do-i-guides-for-us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-certified-true-copies-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

 

It requires scheduling an InfoPass appointment, so I was wondering if anyone asked to get a copy after the ceremony.

I did and got it . I got my naturalization ceremony in Chicago and just after the event directly went to the infopass counter and asked for a certified copy and got it in 15 mins . But when applied in post office they didnot accept that certified copy and wanted the original

 

 

 

 

[JHFGNDVQ 2]

On 1/16/2021 at 8:38 AM, zeal4thil said:

I did and got it . I got my naturalization ceremony in Chicago and just after the event directly went to the infopass counter and asked for a certified copy and got it in 15 mins . But when applied in post office they didnot accept that certified copy and wanted the original

 

 

 

 

Thank you for this information!

[JourneyFromA2 85]

On 1/16/2021 at 7:38 AM, zeal4thil said:

I did and got it . I got my naturalization ceremony in Chicago and just after the event directly went to the infopass counter and asked for a certified copy and got it in 15 mins . But when applied in post office they didnot accept that certified copy and wanted the original

 

 

 

 

I wonder if this was still the case. I just completed my interview today and was told that the the Oath ceremony won’t be in the USCIS building on Ida B. Wells. Also, there’s no more InfoPass appointment form USCIS’ website.

[JourneyFromA2 85]

On 1/15/2021 at 9:03 PM, JHFGNDVQ said:

Just to clarify, I meant this type of copy that they provide for free (not a second certificate):
https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/how-do-i-guides-for-us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-certified-true-copies-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

 

It requires scheduling an InfoPass appointment, so I was wondering if anyone asked to get a copy after the ceremony.

I thought you’re not able to schedule InfoPass appointments anymore?

[MrKo 60]

I am 99% sure the USPS will NOT accept the certified copy, I've seen multiple people sharing their stories about this. They need the original one, and will send back without tracking by default. Like the other post suggests, try to included a self-addressed and pre-paid envelope with tracking# (take a note or picture of the number before sending out so you know what number to track) and see if the USPS allows it. If that works it's better than nothing.

Edited May 13, 2021 by MrKo

[ImmiGeek 59]

On 1/15/2021 at 6:30 PM, JHFGNDVQ said:

Hey guys! Does anyone know if you can get a certified copy (or multiple copies) of your citizenship certificate right at the oath ceremony? As I understand, you can send a certified copy when applying for a passport, which seems much safer than sending the original document and hoping it won't be lost somewhere.

A certified copy is not accepted by Department of State(DOS), the official passport agency. They need ORIGINAL NC.

4 hours ago, MrKo said:

I am 99% sure the USPS will NOT accept the certified copy, I've seen multiple people sharing their stories about this. They need the original one, and will send back without tracking by default. Like the other post suggests, try to included a self-addressed and pre-paid envelope with tracking# (take a note or picture of the number before sending out so you know what number to track) and see if the USPS allows it. If that works it's better than nothing.

USPS has NOTHING to DO WITH the requirements of a passport paperwork. They are JUST carriers OR facilitators of this process. Its DOS(Dept of State) which had these requirements such as the need to submit the Original NC etc. Thus, USPS follows those guidelines as an agency to facilitate us.

Having said that I am 999.9999% sure that the original NC is a must for passport. AFTER this particular process is done, YOU DONT NEED to take out your NC for any known reason. It can be buried in a fire and water proof storage and have a beer/party on that soil.

[zeal4thil 7]

On 5/11/2021 at 8:12 PM, justwill said:

I wonder if this was still the case. I just completed my interview today and was told that the the Oath ceremony won’t be in the USCIS building on Ida B. Wells. Also, there’s no more InfoPass appointment form USCIS’ website.

Things may be different now .I did mid Dec 2020 when the ceremony happen in the USCIS office downtown Chicago where they were handling the info-pass appointments too . I didn't have any info-pass appointment and just walked to the counter as i was already in the building for the ceremony 

[VinnyH 61]

On 5/13/2021 at 1:39 AM, ImmiGeek said:

A certified copy is not accepted by Department of State(DOS), the official passport agency. They need ORIGINAL NC.

USPS has NOTHING to DO WITH the requirements of a passport paperwork. They are JUST carriers OR facilitators of this process. Its DOS(Dept of State) which had these requirements such as the need to submit the Original NC etc. Thus, USPS follows those guidelines as an agency to facilitate us.

Having said that I am 999.9999% sure that the original NC is a must for passport. AFTER this particular process is done, YOU DONT NEED to take out your NC for any known reason. It can be buried in a fire and water proof storage and have a beer/party on that soil.

 

Are you really sure about that? When I got my appointment at the Passport Agency (not an acceptance facility), I received an email from PassportSolutions confirming the appointment, with the document attached.

 

It clearly says that you can use a certified copy. I didn't really mind and provided the original of my Certificate of Naturalization since they returned it to me the very same day upon picking up the passport (expedite process – passport picked within 2.5 hours), so no concern about losing it through the mail.

 

But I just wanted to share the info. Maybe you need to submit the original when applying at an acceptance facility (USPS etc...) but you can use a certified copy when applying in person at a Passport Agency.

 

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2. Provide Evidence of U.S. Citizenship
You must submit one of the following. Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.
 Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
 U.S. Birth Certificate that meets the following requirements:
o Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
o Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
o Lists your parent(s)' full names
o Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth) o Has the registrar's signature
o Has the seal of the issuing authority
 Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth (Click on link for details)

 Certificate of Naturalization
 Certificate of Citizenship

[ImmiGeek 59]

Thanks @VinnyH for sharing this info. It looks like DOS is giving the Certified copy submission option while USPS (not any other Passport Agency) is demanding the original.

With your finding above, I may be wrong in my above statement. Let me do some more research and wait for your final finding (if at all you are using ONLY certified copy of your NC for your passport) before taking my word back. I guess practically, I didnt see any single acceptance of Certified Naturalization Cert for any new Passport Application So far. If I am missing something, would like to learn and stand corrected.

Thanks for the reference of your findings.

[ImmiGeek 59]

Update: I have just reviewed the Form AR-11 (Passport Application) instructions for Citizenship proof. It didnt give an option for the certified copy of Naturalization Certificate. 

Quote

APPLICANTS BORN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES: Submit a previous U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or evidence described below

: - If you claim citizenship through naturalization of parent(s): Submit the Certificate(s) of Naturalization of your parent(s), your foreign birth certificate (and official translation if the document is not in English), proof of your admission to the United States for permanent residence, and your parents' marriage/certificate and/or evidence that you were in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent, if applicable. - If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent: Submit a Consular Report of Birth (Form FS-240), Certification of Birth (Form DS-1350 or FS-545), or your foreign birth certificate (and official translation if the document is not in English), proof of U.S. citizenship of your parent, your parents' marriage certificate, and an affidavit showing all of your U.S. citizen parents' periods and places of residence/physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth. - If you claim citizenship through adoption by a U.S. citizen parent(s): Submit evidence of your permanent residence status, full and final adoption, and your U.S. citizen parent(s) evidence of legal and physical custody. (NOTE: Acquisition of U.S. citizenship for persons born abroad and adopted only applies if the applicant was born on or after 02/28/1983.)

 

With this observation, I can assume that the original NC may be asked at the agency desk.

Also Passport Agency(the DOS desk) allows only appointments for any emergency travel purpose only, not for standard passport applications(its only USPS accepts for regular applicants)

[BBlueB 35]

Another way is to apply for passport card. cheaper way and ok to lose it