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Your official citizenship and naturalization documents are essential for navigating life in the U.S. But what do you do if something happens to those documents, or they must be updated for a name change or gender transition? Fortunately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers options that allow you to request replacement certificates and update the information on your official documents.
New Frontier Immigration Law can guide you in filing Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, so you can have accurate documents that reflect your status. You can reach out to us today for a strategic session with our firm.
What Is Form N-565?
If you lose your official naturalization or citizenship certificates, you can file Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, to have USCIS send you a new one. You can use this form to get a new official copy of the following status documents:
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Declaration of Intention
- Repatriation Certificate
While some situations allow you to present a photocopy of your official documents, others require you to submit or present the official certificates. You must keep your official documents secure in an area where they are less likely to be stolen or damaged. You should also make a few photocopies of these documents in case you need to show your status or request new official documents, like with this form.
Who Is Eligible to File Form N-565?
Multiple situations require you to file Form N-565 to get new official documents. You can file this form if your official document:
- Was lost, stolen, or destroyed
- Contains clerical errors USCIS made
- Has your old name, although you legally changed your name after marriage, divorce, an adoption, etc., or another reason
- Has a birth date error, but you corrected the error with a court order or another state-issued form
- Lists a different gender than what you identify as now (This includes if you have transitioned and officially changed your gender via a court order, medical certification, or another legal process.)
- Another country does not recognize it, so you need a special certificate of citizenship to prove your naturalized citizenship to that country
Tips for Filing Form N-565
Follow these steps for filing Form N-565 correctly.
Fill Out the Application
You can fill out a physical copy of the application by printing the form from the USCIS website. You can also complete a digital copy of the form through your USCIS account.
USCIS accepts the edition dated 06/13/17 despite the expiration date of 06/30/19 printed on the application. USCIS has not published an updated form, so you can use this one until the agency releases a new form.
Be sure to complete all applicable sections and sign the document. USCIS rejects all unsigned applications, meaning you’ll have to file again and pay the processing fee a second time.
Required Evidence to Submit With Your Application
You must provide multiple forms of evidence to prove you were issued official naturalization or citizenship certificates and have a valid reason to request a new one. Every application must include a completed Form N-565 and two recent, identical passport-style photos of yourself.
If you are applying for a replacement document because your other one was stolen, lost, or destroyed, you will also need to provide:
- A copy of the original document
- A police report or another sworn statement indicating the circumstances of why you need to replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate
If you are applying for a special certificate of naturalization, you also must submit a copy of the original certificate. If your official certificate needs an update because of a USCIS clerical error or a change in your name, date of birth, or gender, you must include:
- The original document or certificate
- Evidence of a USCIS clerical error, evidence of a legal name change, legal date of birth change, or legal gender change
- Legal change of marital status (if this is why you changed your name)
Our Immigration Lawyer Can Help Organize Your Evidence
Make sure to include clear photocopies of original documents unless the instructions say to provide the official document itself. An immigration lawyer with our firm can help you gather and organize your required evidence and make sure you provide official documents or photocopies per the instructions.
Note that USCIS cannot change your name, gender, or date of birth on any citizenship or naturalization documents unless you have the appropriate official evidence. In addition, it will not update your date of birth if you had made the error initially when filing your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and signed the form, thus verifying that all the information (including your date of birth) was accurate.
Include Translations if Necessary
If you completed Form N-565 in a language other than English, you must submit a certified translation with your application. Your translator must sign the translated copy, too.
Submit the Completed Application
If you filled out the form online, you can submit your completed form and required evidence online. You can pay the processing fee online through the portal, too. However, you may receive an official request to mail your evidence to the USCIS Nebraska Service Center.
If you printed out the form and filled out a physical copy, you can mail it to the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox using the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Be sure to include the form of payment with your complete application.
How Much does It Cost to File Form N-565?
It costs $555 per application to file Form N-565. You can pay online when you submit your application through your USCIS portal. You can also mail a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order with your mailed application. If you want to pay with a credit card, you must fill out and send in Form G-1450 Authorization for Credit card Transactions.
How Long does It Take Process Form N-565?
After you fill out the application in full and pay the processing fee, it could take between five to eight months for USCIS to process your application and reissue your new documents.
You may need to undergo biometric testing and/or complete an interview. If you do, you will receive formal notice.
New Frontier Immigration Law Can Help You Replace Your Citizenship Documentation
The New Frontier Immigration Law attorneys can help you navigate recovering new documents, whether you need to update the information to reflect changes in your life or if your documents were destroyed. Call us for a strategic session to discuss your options for getting the status documents you need.