Travel while US passport is in process

[fellaamazing 72]

Hi all.

 

I applied for my passport a week and a half ago. And status is still unavailable. And they have my original citizenship certificate

Meanwhile what happens if  I travel during this time with Canadian passport and just copy of US citizenship certificate? Will I be let in? Or it will create problems?

[mushroomspore 3,044]

1 hour ago, fellaamazing said:

Hi all.

 

I applied for my passport a week and a half ago. And status is still unavailable. And they have my original citizenship certificate

Meanwhile what happens if  I travel during this time with Canadian passport and just copy of US citizenship certificate? Will I be let in? Or it will create problems?

The naturalization certificate (copy or original) is not meant for travel and no airline will let you board if that's all you have. US citizens must present a US passport to come back to the US (whether you enter by land, sea or air): https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-3618?language=en_US

 

Also look at this link: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-3618?language=en_US

If you click the section that says "WHEN YOU BECOME A US CITIZEN", it tells you to allow for enough time to get your US passport BEFORE any travel.

Edited October 11, 2021 by mushroomspore

[Dashinka 24,657]

From the State Department.  I don't believe a copy of a Naturalization Certificate is an acceptable travel document according to the US CBP Carrier Guide.

 

U.S. nationals, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport to travel to or from a country other than the United States is not inconsistent with U.S. law.  

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Advice-about-Possible-Loss-of-US-Nationality-Dual-Nationality/Dual-Nationality.html

[millefleur 5,047]

As others said, you must wait for the passport (or passport card for Canada) to travel abroad. It's illegal for US citizens to leave/enter with a different national passport (even if they are dual citizens.)

[carmel34 3,647]

18 hours ago, millefleur said:

As others said, you must wait for the passport (or passport card for Canada) to travel abroad. It's illegal for US citizens to leave/enter with a different national passport (even if they are dual citizens.)

This is not strictly enforced at land crossings and even flying (US/Canada for example).  My brother, who was born in the US and has lived in Canada most of his life but has never had a US passport, entered the US last week using his birth certificate and they let him in because he's a citizen.  I flew to Canada this past weekend and left the US and entered Canada with my Canadian passport, no problem.  Then on the return flight I used my US passport.  OP could try entering the US with the naturalization certificate and foreign passport via Canada and a land crossing into the US by car.  Others have been able to do it so obviously it is up to the discretion of the CBP officer.

[Knicks 21]

unrelated to your question, but my wife applied for a passport w/o expedite. Check cashed 9/14 and passport in hand 10/4. My check cashed (renew) 9/2. Ive seen others on reddit with similar quick turns

[etrangais 949]

I sent my renew application for my passport a little more than month ago (received and check cashed 15-Sep). Status still shows unavailable as of this morning

[fellaamazing 72]

2 hours ago, carmel34 said:

This is not strictly enforced at land crossings and even flying (US/Canada for example).  My brother, who was born in the US and has lived in Canada most of his life but has never had a US passport, entered the US last week using his birth certificate and they let him in because he's a citizen.  I flew to Canada this past weekend and left the US and entered Canada with my Canadian passport, no problem.  Then on the return flight I used my US passport.  OP could try entering the US with the naturalization certificate and foreign passport via Canada and a land crossing into the US by car.  Others have been able to do it so obviously it is up to the discretion of the CBP officer.

I agree, and does make sense. Once my ex boyfriend took wrong exit and entered Canada, off course without birth certificate or passport. They can't possibly deny a US citizen from coming back. Its just hours of detention while they verify I think.
I wanted to know what they would do in this case.

[fellaamazing 72]

Looks like my passport status turned to Shipped. Also there is USPS tracking number.

My son's passport is still showing In Process. I wonder why.

 

I submitted my application to post office on September 30th.