I got my passport but not my naturalization certificate

In order to obtain a U.S. passport, U.S. citizens should be prepared to provide the following:

Table of Contents Show

How long does it take to get citizenship Certificate back after passport?
Why have I not received my Naturalization Certificate?
Do I need a Certificate of Naturalization if I have a passport?
What if USPS lost my Naturalization Certificate?

Proof of U.S. citizenship: You must either provide your most recently issued passport, an original U.S. birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), a naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship. You must also have photo identification. A driver’s license, social security card, or a voter registration card does not constitute proof of citizenship. ***Applicants may be required to provide additional identifying documentation, which may include, but is not limited to, photographs, medical records, or school records.***
Two 2″ by 2″ (5 cm x 5 cm) color photos (front view, full face and plain white or off-white background). In Santo Domingo, the ACS Unit now offers a photo service that can take passport photos for U.S. passport applications only. This photo service is offered within the waiting area at the consular section. Please note that this is simply another option as part of our efforts to improve service. It is not mandatory that you obtain your photo at the consular section; you may still obtain passport photos prior to coming to the consular section and must do so when applying at the Consular Agencies.
Application form, completed but not signed. IMPORTANT: You must print your application after filling it out on line and bring it with you to your appointment.
Application fee.

Today I received Passport book which is pretty cool! However I did not received naturalization certificate the same day.
When should I expect to get it back? Thanks.
Or paraphrase question is it normal if you receive passport but no naturalization certificate the same day?

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 7, 2010

Yes, normal. It might take up to three weeks to get your certificate back.

3 weeks after receiving passport!? Wow this is surprise to me. I remember someone wrote that he received passport and certificate the same day. Well I guess everything is OK then. It is strange though. Why to keep certificate for so long after they did passport already?

Yes, normal. It might take up to three weeks to get your certificate back.

Please, read the sentence carefully "up to three weeks", you might get it much sooner, but there is no reason to panic if a week goes by and you don't see the certificate. The problem is if I or someone else tells you to expect the certificate within one or two days and you don't get it it's going to be cause of unnecessary anxiety

Was worried about the same thing. I got my PP book on April 1st but no NC yet. Called the # at the online status check and the customer representative told me it could take up to 3 weeks to receive it... he did say that it was mailed out on March 31st.

Thank you guys for your calming answers, now I will not worry about this.

Thank you guys for your calming answers, now I will not worry about this.

The passports are usually mailed out via Priority Mail (correct me if I'm wrong), whereas the certificate is mailed via regular mail. Depending on how close you are to the processing facility, it may take a few days to get the certificate back. As everyone has already pointed out, you'll definitely get it back. Relax.

It seems it would make more sense and maybe be cheaper if they would mail everything together but I guess they have different facilities processing applications and actually producing the documents. The way they are set up it must be easier to just send things from where they are located versus trying to merge documents into a single envelope.
I got my NC (First Class, letter size envelope) the day after my PP (Priority Mail). Another day later I got my PPC (standard white business envelope, regular mail)

It seems it would make more sense and maybe be cheaper if they would mail everything together but I guess they have different facilities processing applications and actually producing the documents. The way they are set up it must be easier to just send things from where they are located versus trying to merge documents into a single envelope.
I got my NC (First Class, letter size envelope) the day after my PP (Priority Mail). Another day later I got my PPC (standard white business envelope, regular mail)

I think you hit the nail on the head. For example there is a massive passport facility somewhere in the country (I forgot, Alabama?). I'd assume orders are sent electronically to the facility to produce the passport, while the passport application documents remain with the person processing the application. It also decreases the risk of losing everything. If they mail separately and the passport is lost you can apply for another one, if the supporting documents are lost at least you have a passport to prove identity and citizenship. The likelihood of both being lost is minimal compared to just losing one envelope (which is small to begin with).

Update.
Today I received Naturalization Certificate by regular mail, just like Vorpal said.
So to sum up my time line. On April 7 received Passport book by Priority mail and on April 9 Naturalization certificate by regular mail. Very happy me

Passport at Regional Office--same day passport?

Can anyone share if you have applied your passport at a regional passport agency if you are travelling within 14 days? Los Angeles Regional Office

thanks,

Today I received Passport book which is pretty cool! However I did not received naturalization certificate the same day.
When should I expect to get it back? Thanks.
Or paraphrase question is it normal if you receive passport but no naturalization certificate the same day?

Today or Tomorrow...
Oops... I guess you already got it back. Lately it gets to you a couple of days after the passport...

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 9, 2010

I'm glad you got your certificate back soon, before any worst case scenario.

Thank you Huracan!

I'm glad you got your certificate back soon, before any worst case scenario.

How long does it take to get citizenship Certificate back after passport?

I applied for a passport book only: You may receive your newly-issued passport and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport before you receive a second mailing with your citizenship documents.

Why have I not received my Naturalization Certificate?

To apply to replace your Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship issued by USCIS or by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, file a Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization Citizenship Document. Filing instructions and forms are available on our Web site at www.uscis.gov.

Do I need a Certificate of Naturalization if I have a passport?

No. You are not required to file a Form N-600 for a Certificate of Citizenship. The Certificate of Citizenship is an optional form. A validly issued U.S. passport generally serves as evidence of your U.S. citizenship during its period of validity unless that passport has been revoked by the Department of State.

What if USPS lost my 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.