The United States government issues a Certificate of U.S. Naturalization as proof that an individual has obtained U.S. citizenship. This Certificate has been issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) since October 1991, and is the legal process of obtaining a new nationality. Prior to that, it was issued by both the Federal and State courts. If for some reason you need to obtain a replacement, you can visit the USCIS website and fill out Form N-565.
When Should I Apply for a Replacement Certificate?
The government Form N-565 is a replacement for one of the following four documents:
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Declaration of Intention
- Repatriation Certificate
You should fill out an Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document if any of the following circumstances apply in your case:
- You were married and your name has been changed after your original document was issued and you want to obtain a replacement that reflects your new name
- If for some reason you have lost your original certificate or it has been destroyed or mutilated in some way as to appear unreadable
- You are seeking that a foreign country recognize you as a United States citizen
A check or money order for exactly $380.00 must accompany your application. It is important to note that USCIS fees can often change; therefore it is best to visit the government’s website for the latest information. Depending upon the state in which you live, you will have to submit the application to one of the government service centers in either Nebraska or Texas.
Instructions on Filing Your Form
All of the questions on the form must be filled out honestly and correctly and you will need to include the following evidence:
- You must submit two standard passport size color photographs taken within 30 days of the application.
- When applying for a replacement because your original is mutilated, you must attach the mutilated document.
- You must attach a copy of your naturalization certificate when you are applying for a special certificate of naturalization.
Your application may be rejected if you fail to completely fill out the form, fail to sign it or failure to include the proper fee. If for any reason your application is denied, you will be notified about this in writing along with the reason for denial. Anyone under the age of 14 can have their parent or legal guardian sign the application on your behalf. If everything is in order, you will be issued a new certificate, but be forewarned that the whole process can take up to a year to complete.
Getting Legal Advice
Filling out government forms can be difficult and people often make mistakes due to differences in language or not properly understanding the question. However, if the federal government believes that you knowingly or willfully provided false information on your application, you could be facing severe penalties. When you need legal advice, it is always a good idea to consult with an experienced immigration attorney for help.
