How long to get replacement naturalization certificate

If your Naturalization/ Citizenship certificate is lost, stolen, or damaged it can be replaced with a new copy of the certificate by filing Form N-565.

A naturalization certificate is issued to immigrants who become U.S. citizens through the process of Naturalization.

A citizenship certificate on the other hand is issued to people born outside the U.S. who acquired or derived U.S. citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent.

Per USCIS specifications, you should file form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization or Citizenship Document, if you have been issued a

• Naturalization Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Declaration of Intention or Repatriation Certificate

which has been lost, mutilated, or destroyed.

In addition to this, persons whose name has been changed by marriage or by court order after the citizenship document was issued and they need a document in the new name should also file Form N-565.

However, Form N-565 should never be filed to correct errors on the citizenship certificate unless they are USCIS errors.

To seek a replacement for your lost citizenship certificate, you should prepare and mail the completed N-565 application to the USCIS. Do not forget to attach to the application the appropriate check (submission fees) and supporting documents (if any).

You can refer to the instructions page that comes along with the application for information about the fees, the mailing address, and supporting documents.

Please ensure to take extra care while referring to the instructions because if you make a mistake with the fee or mailing address, your application will be returned to you.

The N-565 Application Process

You need to mail two color photographs of yourself along with the supporting documents. The photograph should reflect your present facial features, so it has to be taken within 30 days before filing this application.

If the reason for filing this application is to get a replacement of a mutilated document, make sure you attach the mutilated document and send it with your N-565 application. Documents in a foreign language have to be accompanied by a full English language translation and the translator should certify it as complete and accurate.

After you mail the application seeking a replacement for the lost citizenship certificate, the USCIS will start processing by checking the application for completeness, including submission of the required initial evidence and the appropriate submission fee.

Applications that are incomplete or not accompanied with the needed initial evidence will not establish a basis for eligibility and it is most likely that the USCIS may deny such applications.

You will get a notice from the USCIS saying the application is deficient if your application is not signed or not accompanied by the correct fee. So paying extra attention to sending a complete application along with the needed supporting documents and fees is extremely vital.

Within thirty days of having mailed your application to the USCIS, you can expect to receive an Application Receipt Notice that will have a 13-character Application Receipt number.

With this Receipt Notice, you can be assured that USCIS has received your application and that it is being processed. You may use the number on the receipt to track the progress of your application while it is pending.

Later, the USCIS may request more information or evidence when you appear at their office for an interview. They may also request you to submit the originals of any document.

Finally, if all goes well and the USCIS thinks that you do establish eligibility for the document, your application will be approved and you will get the new document.

If your application is denied, the USCIS will inform you in writing about the reasons for the denial. The Form N-565 process, on average, will take up to four to five months.

This citizenship certificate can be used as proof of your U.S. citizenship status.

April 22, 2020

Losing your passport or naturalization certificate is an extremely stressful situation to find yourself in. Your naturalization certificate serves as proof to obtain a United States passport and other benefits provided to citizens. Without a naturalization certificate, you are unable to get a passport. Without a passport, you will be unable to leave the United States. When you lose your naturalization certificate or passport it is imperative you go through the correct steps to obtain new documents before you travel.

Losing your Naturalization Certificate

If you lose your naturalization certificate, you will need to file a form N-565 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Instances when you would need to file a form N-565 include:

• Your certificate has been lost, stolen, destroyed, or misprinted with an error 
• You have changed your legal name or gender

Remember, filing an N-565 is only for those who have already been granted United States citizenship. 

Once you begin the process of filing a form N-565, the process is relatively simple. However, you will need to provide evidence of how your naturalization certificate was lost. Additionally, you will need to show corroborating evidence of how your naturalization certificate was lost, a filed police report for the lost certificate, and a sworn statement made by you regarding the truth of the circumstances. You will also need to provide the certificate number, the date of issuance, and the place of issuance.  If some of the information is not available to you, fill the form out as best as you can. Recently I filed an N565 for a family member who lost his Naturalization Certificate and he had an expired USA passport that he had gotten over 15 years ago. I filled out the form as best as I could, noted he moved years ago and since the move he has been unable to find his Naturalization Certificate. For Alien number, I put unknown, but did note that an attached copy of the expired USA passport was included. Within 4 months, he received his new Naturalization Certificate and was able to obtain a new USA passport.

The filing fee for a form N-565 is $555 – make the check or money order out to “US Department of Homeland Security”. Also include 2 passport style photos, copy of your old lpr card (if you have it), and a copy of your expired USA passport (if you have it).  First you will a receipt notice, then you will receive a biometric notice which will give you a time and date to go to the nearest USCIS center to be fingerprinted and have your photo taken. Generally speaking, a form N-565 will be replaced within one year after the filing date. There are limited cases where the USCIS may be able to expedite the process, however, these situations are selected on a case-by-case basis and should not be relied on. 

Losing Your Passport

If you’ve lost your passport, the process of acquiring a new one is quicker and easier than replacing a naturalization certificate. First, you must report your passport as lost by filing a form DS-64 or calling 1-877-487-2778. Once you have reported your passport as lost, you must reapply for a passport in person by filing a DS-64 or DS-11. Additionally, you must provide valid photo identification and proof of citizenship (which is your naturalization certificate). Once you have filed your application a new passport will arrive in approximately 4-6 weeks. 

Although stressful circumstances, replacing your naturalization certificate or passport certificate can be managed. If you find yourself in these circumstances, please contact Bailey Immigration at (866) 521-6422.

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