Sending photocopy of Certificate of Naturalization when applying for Passport possible?

[bokins 63]

So, I know this topic has been talked ad nauseam, but I came across the USCIS website that specifically states that I can send a photocopy:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-an-authenticated-copy-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

 

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You do not need to obtain a Certified True Copy if the U.S. government asks for a copy of your certificate for official U.S. government business. For example, if the U.S. Department of State requests your Certificate of Naturalization when you apply for a U.S. passport, you may use a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated. You may use a normal photocopy of your certificate for legitimate U.S. government business. 

 

So, is this new? Can I send the application with just the two photocopies? I'd hate to send the original and then it gets lost or something.

 

Thank you.

[HRQX 4,145]

7 minutes ago, bokins said:

Can I send the application with just the two photocopies?

DOS is the one that issues passports so you have to follow their policy: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/citizenship-evidence.html

Tips for submitting your citizenship evidence

• Submit your original evidence of U.S. citizenship.
• Submit a photocopy of the front (and back, if there is printed information) of your original evidence of U.S. citizenship.

• Photocopies must be: legible, on white 8.5”x11” standard paper, black and white, and single sided.

• In some cases, you may be able to submit a certified copy of your citizenship evidence. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

• If you don't want to submit a photocopy of your citizenship evidence, you may submit a second certified copy of your citizenship evidence, which we will keep. If you don’t submit a photocopy or a second certified copy of your citizenship evidence, your passport processing could be delayed.
• You cannot submit digital evidence of U.S. citizenship (e.g. electronic or mobile birth certificate) when applying for a U.S. passport. You must continue to submit your physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of it.

[bokins 63]

7 minutes ago, HRQX said:

DOS is the one that issues passports so you have to follow their policy: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/citizenship-evidence.html

Yes, I'm aware, I was just hopeful lol. I took the Oath today, welcome to American bureaucracy lmao

[Mike E 11,739]

Everything I’ve rest is that when it comes to passports and naturalization certificates, DoS doesn’t follow their own publisher rules for mail in applications.  
 

You might be able to make an appointment with a passport agency office and they might let you escape leaving a photo copy after examining the original.  But getting such appointments in the eta of Covid is hard.  

[Can49 9]

Hi guys.  Wondering the same.  If I go to a passport accepting agency like USPS or county clerk office fo they keep the original naturalization cert or just compare it to the photocopy (non certified) that  you  bring ?

 

thanks 

[HRQX 4,145]

15 minutes ago, Can49 said:

If I go to a passport accepting agency like USPS or county clerk office fo they keep the original naturalization cert

They still forward both the original certificate and the photocopy to DOS. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html

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How will you send my passport and supporting documents?

 

After we print your passport, we will send it to you and return your supporting documents. How we send your passport and supporting documents depends if you applied for a book and/or a card and if you paid an additional fee for 1-2 day delivery.    

I applied for a passport book only: You may receive your newly-issued passport and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. Please contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. We can send your passport book via a 1-2 day delivery service.

I applied for a passport card only: You may receive your newly-issued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. Please contact NPIC if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards via 1-2 day delivery services.

I applied for both a passport book and passport card: You may receive three separate mailings; one with your citizenship documents, one with your newly-issued passport book, and one with your newly-issued passport card. Please contact NPIC if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing.

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Apply in Person

 

You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if at least one of the following is true:

• You are applying for your first U.S. passport
• You are under age 16
• Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16
• Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
• Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago

 

Like Mike E mentioned, if you somehow go to a DOS passport agency office then you keep the original certificate. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html

Edited August 7, 2021 by HRQX