After taking the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance, new U.S. citizens are issued a Certificate of Naturalization as proof of their citizenship. Once you have the certificate, you can apply for a U.S. passport and enjoy all the legal rights of a U.S. citizen.
A Certificate of Naturalization is issued to a foreign national who has become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, while a Certificate of Citizenship is typically issued to someone who derived citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent. Both documents serve as proof of U.S. citizenship. If either is lost, damaged, or needs to be updated, you will need to apply for a replacement certificate. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to replace your certificate of naturalization using Form N-565.
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Eligibility for Filing Naturalization Replacement
You may request a naturalization certificate replacement if your case meets any of the following descriptions:
- If your Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention, or Repatriation Certificate has been lost, mutilated, or destroyed
- If your name has legally changed by marriage or by court order after the document was issued
- You are requesting a Special Certificate of Naturalization to show your U.S. citizenship to a foreign country
- If your naturalization certificate or citizenship certificate contains a clerical or typographical error
- If you have legally changed your gender after the original naturalization certificate was issued to you
Note: Form N-565 is only for people who are already U.S. citizens and need a replacement certificate. It is not used to apply for citizenship. The N-400 Form is used for applying for naturalization.
How to Replace or Get a Copy of Your Naturalization Document
Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, is used to apply to USCIS for a replacement of your Naturalization Certificate. You will need to submit your Form N-565 with supporting documents to justify the reason you are requesting a replacement. There will be a standard paper filing fee of $555 for your N-565 application.
You can request a copy through USCIS by submitting a FOIA request. This is under the Freedom of Information Act, which allows you to request your immigration records.
NOTE: Form N-565 is strictly used for reissuing citizenship certificates to those who have already been granted citizenship. Do not make the mistake of using it for a new citizenship application, either as a lawful permanent resident seeking naturalization or a citizen requesting an original certificate. Forms N-400 and N-600 are for those two purposes, respectively.
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How to Apply for a Naturalization Certificate Replacement
You can file Form N-565 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) either by:
- Online Application
- Mail (paper)
How to File Form N-565 Online
To file your Form N-565 for a naturalization replacement application online, you will need to start by:
- Creating an online USCIS account.
- Complete the N-565 Online Application
- Upload required documents
- Pay the filing fee
- Track the status of your case
- Respond to any Requests for Evidence (RFE) if needed
- Manage your contact information, including updating your address, if needed
- You may still be asked to mail your original certificates and photos (if applicable)
How to File Form N-565 by Mail
You may submit your Form N-565 by mail to the following address:
USCIS Phoenix Lockbox
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
P.O. Box 20050
Phoenix, AZ 85036-0050
For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries
USCIS
Attn: N-565
2108 E. Elliot Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85284-1806
NOTE: Even if you submitted your Form N565 by mail, you can still create an online account with USCIS to track and manage your case online. After submitting the naturalization replacement application form by mail, USCIS will send you an Account Acceptance Notice. This will contain guidelines on how to create your online account.
USCIS will still continue to process your naturalization replacement application even if you choose not to access the online account, and you will continue to get your copies of notifications about your application by mail through the U.S. Postal Service.
Supporting Documents for Naturalization Replacement Application
Generally, naturalization certificate replacement applicants will need to submit the following supporting documents along with their Form N-565 application:
- Two identical passport-style photographs
- A sworn statement or police report if the original certificate was stolen, lost, or destroyed
- A copy of the original naturalization document if you are requesting a replacement due to a name, gender, or date of birth change
- Evidence of legal name change (if applicable)
- Evidence of a USCIS clerical or typographical error (if applicable)
- Evidence of legal gender change (if applicable)
- Evidence of legal date of birth (if applicable)
- Evidence of change in marital status (if applicable)
- A copy of your original citizenship certificate if you are applying for a special certificate of naturalization
Case-Specific Supporting Documents
Reasons for filing a naturalization replacement application can be grouped under two major categories. They are:
- Reasons NOT DUE to USCIS error
- Reasons DUE to USCIS error
The category your case falls into will largely determine the exact items you will need to submit and whether you will pay the application fee or not.
Reasons Not Due to USCIS Error
This implies that the request for replacement is due to either an error on your own part or a deliberate change made by you. This will require you to pay a filing fee for your N-565 application form. Apart from lost, stolen, or destroyed cases, other situations that may warrant filing a replacement under this category include:
A Name Change: For this, you may be required to submit any of the following:
- Marriage or divorce certificate
- Certified copy of court order
A Gender Change: You may be required to submit any of the following:
- Certified copy of an amended birth certificate
- Certified copy of a court order
- Medical certification by a licensed physician
- Any other official documentation recognizing your new gender by a U.S. local jurisdiction, state, or foreign state (e.g. passport, driver’s license).
Reasons Due to USCIS Error
If your naturalization certificate contains a clerical or typographical error by USCIS, you will need to provide the original certificate (containing the error) and proof of the incorrect information. For instance, if USCIS had issued the certificate with an incorrect name, you can provide a copy of your birth certificate as part of your evidence showing your correct name. In such an instance, you won’t need to pay a filing fee for your Form N-565.
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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Naturalization Certificate?
It costs $555 to replace a naturalization certificate by mail. If you choose to file online, the cost is $505. This filing fee is nonrefundable, regardless of whether your application is approved, denied, or later withdrawn.
How to Pay: If you file an online application, you may pay the fee online. If you file by mail, you may pay the fee using a:
- Personal check
- Money order
- Cashier’s check
- Or credit card. If you use a check, the check must be made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The fee is a nonrefundable payment, regardless of any action USCIS takes on the application. In other words, you won’t get a refund even if the application is denied or withdrawn.
*Always verify the latest information on the official USCIS website, as the fees are subject to update at any point.
Processing Time for Naturalization Certificate Replacement
Most N-565 applications take around 5 months to process (per the USCIS historical national median), but can be longer if USCIS issues an RFE or if documents are missing.
Form N-565 FAQs
How can I get a copy of my naturalization certificate?
You can place a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain a copy. If there is no record found in the National Archive, then you can apply for a replacement by filing Form N-565.
What do I do if I lost my naturalization certificate?
You can request a replacement by completing the form N-565.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a naturalization certificate?
It costs $555 to get a copy of a naturalization certificate, as you will have to file Form N-565.
How do I get a new naturalization certificate after a legal name change?
You will need to submit the N-565 form to request a new naturalization certificate with the correct name.
Can I get a copy of my naturalization certificate online?
No, you cannot receive a copy of the naturalization certificate online.
What is the difference between a "copy" and a "replacement" certificate?
A copy of a naturalization certificate is a duplicate, while a replacement is a new, official certificate issued.
My certificate has a mistake on it. How do I get a corrected copy?
You will need to submit Form N-565 to fix the mistake. If the mistake was made by USCIS, then there is no filing fee.
What is the official form to replace my naturalization certificate?
The Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship.
How VisaNation Law Group Can Help
Whether you are replacing a certificate or applying for U.S. citizenship for the first time, working with an immigration attorney will significantly improve your chances of getting approved.
VisaNation Law Group’s team of immigration lawyers has extensive knowledge of the U.S. naturalization application process. They will help you prepare your case with all of the necessary documents and guide you throughout the process.
Contact us and schedule an appointment with a VisaNation Law Group immigration lawyer today!