What If a Certificate of Citizenship Is Lost?

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office is available to assist any person who has lost his certificate of citizenship or naturalization. Naturalized citizens must submit the appropriate form and filing fee to obtain a new copy of their certificate.

Application for Replacement

The USCIS requires Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, to be submitted before issuing a new certificate. This form is available online at uscis.gov under the forms tab at the top of the home page or by request through the Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676 (see Reference 2).

Fees and Documents

The USCIS charges $380 for a new certificate. The applicant must also send in two recent (last 30 days) identical passport photos with his Alien Receipt Number written on the back (see Reference 1).

Geography

People living in the Western part of the country must submit their applications to the Nebraska service center; those living in the East must send them to the service center in Texas (see Reference 1).

Time Frame

The USCIS office may take up to a year to issue a new naturalization certificate (see Reference 3).

Considerations

Naturalized citizens can use their passport as temporary proof of their American citizenship (see Reference 3).

References

• Department of Homeland Security-Instructions for N-565
• USCIS-A Guide to Naturalization
• USCitizenship.info-Did You Know?