I became a citizen in early May 2022. Now I would like to apply for my US passport. My impression from reading this forum is that everyone here submits the original certificate rather than a certified copy.
This leads me to assume that the certified copy for naturalization cannot be done at a notary or something similar, and that if I do want to submit a certified copy, the only option is to pay $500+ to USCIS, a process that takes a long time.
So I wanted to confirm how you go about the certificate of naturalization? Do you submit the original? and what do you use in the mean time as proof of citizenship? I have been here for more than 20 years, and this will be the first time I will not have a document in hand to show that I am documented in the US.
I was thinking that one solution might be do apply for an Enhanced ID which will require that I show my original copy of the certificate of naturalization.
I would really appreciate your help with both questions: do you submit the original for the passport? what documents do you use for proof of citizenship until the passport arrives?