After Citizenship

[KDS95AB]

After taking oath for citizenship, what things need to be completed?

Applying for US passport is one.

I read here that you have to inform social security office. Is this needed, and if yes, inform what ?

Anything else needs to be completed?

If you want to visit India on US Passport; what is better to obtain - a Visa or PIO card? How much does each cost and how long they are valid?

Thanks in advance

Please reply

 

[sg_orl]

After taking oath for citizenship, what things need to be completed?

Applying for US passport is one.

I read here that you have to inform social security office. Is this needed, and if yes, inform what ?

Anything else needs to be completed?

If you want to visit India on US Passport; what is better to obtain - a Visa or PIO card? How much does each cost and how long they are valid?

Thanks in advance

Please reply

Make a copy of the naturalization certificate and keep it with you, when you apply for the US passport. You will NEED to send the original naturalization certificate. Don't worry, you will get the naturalization certificate back with the passport.

People advise to get the social security records updated. You have to fill-out form and take the original document with you. I tried it once and there was a long line and waith of over 2 hours so I decided to do it later. This would be nice to do, but not a real emergency.

You will HAVE to visit India on the US pssport only. Chek out he Consulate site: http://www.cgihouston.org and search the message board for indian visa and PIO card. 10 yr. tourist visa cost $150 and 15 yr PIO card cost $310. There may be an Overseas Indian Citizenship in the near future, but who know when and in what form.

 

[fitness99]

After taking oath for citizenship, what things need to be completed?

Applying for US passport is one.

I read here that you have to inform social security office. Is this needed, and if yes, inform what ?

Anything else needs to be completed?

If you want to visit India on US Passport; what is better to obtain - a Visa or PIO card? How much does each cost and how long they are valid?

Thanks in advance

Please reply

The social security database will be updated with your USC status. They will probably issue you a new card with the same number, but which does not have a restriction (e.g. not authorized to work unless you have a permit or something like that). When I became an USC and I notified SSA, a new card was issued to me with the same number...

For more information check out www.ssa.gov

 

[fitness99]

huh? I thought you were not supposed copy or photograph your NC. I didn't. I applied for PP 10 minutes after I received it so as of now I am with no evidence that I am a citizen until I receive my PP.

BTW, I applied for expedited PP on July 12th. What are my chances of receiving my PP by 23rd (saturday). I have my flight/ticket to Germany on 25th (monday afternoon). I took my chances with buying ticket cuz I was counting on receiving my PP in 7 business days like most people did eventhough the Passport people say it takes 2-3 weeks.

You should be getting your passport before July 21st. If you used the express delivery option (for both sending/receiving), you can check the status of when they received it, and also when they mailed it back using the return tracking number. When I applied for mine...I got it in 5 business days.

As far as copying the Naturalization certificate....eventhough it says do not copy...the CIS officer (at the oath ceremony) told us that we can make a copy as backup and you can also provide a copy when applying for any Immigration related applications.

 

[voodoo]

you can check the status of when they received it, and also when they mailed it back using the return tracking number.

Strange, the guy at the PO didn't give me any tracking number. I am looking at my PO receipt. They charged me $30 for shipping but there is no tracking number. I also paid $157 (or something around that figure) for expedited service. I specifically insisted on expedited service and shipping for both ways so I am assuming $30 is towards shipping both ways. But no tracking number

 

[ocworker]

Strange, the guy at the PO didn't give me any tracking number. I am looking at my PO receipt. They charged me $30 for shipping but there is no tracking number. I also paid $157 (or something around that figure) for expedited service. I specifically insisted on expedited service and shipping for both ways so I am assuming $30 is towards shipping both ways. But no tracking number

they charged you 30 dollars for shipping?

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html

$97 for the passports and its related fees
additional $60 for the Expedited Service.

by the way, for people who said they could check their passport processing status online, could you post a link?

i found a link from www.state.gov related with the passport status inquiry. however, it is just a email inquiry thou (either i call 800 number or send email to check the passport status).

 

[Ocelot]

Tracking Number

Voodoo,

Did the post office not give you any paper at all?

The tracking number is pre-printed on the express-mail reciept.

-Ocelot

 

[voodoo]

ocelot, the PO just gave me a receipt and one of the PP aplication pages with a stamp stating which PO it was mailed from.

I just called the PO. They said the $30 is called the execution fees and that included express mail fees. They do not give a separate tracking number because they said they send many applications together as a batch. The guy says I should receive my PP by 22nd. I hope I will. Fingers crossed.

 

[ocworker]

ocelot, the PO just gave me a receipt and one of the PP aplication pages with a stamp stating which PO it was mailed from.

I just called the PO. They said the $30 is called the execution fees and that included express mail fees. They do not give a separate tracking number because they said they send many applications together as a batch. The guy says I should receive my PP by 22nd. I hope I will. Fingers crossed.

the $30 is the execution fee only and it does not include the express mail fee.

your $157 includes $60 express mail fee.

$30 for the Expedited Service is just too cheap (by the gov't standard) hee hee

 

[voodoo]

the $30 is the execution fee only and it does not include the express mail fee.

your $157 includes $60 express mail fee.

$30 for the Expedited Service is just too cheap (by the gov't standard) hee hee

Ok, so the express mail fee is included in $157 and not in $30 execution fee (whatever the hell that is). Well, as long as it gets included somewhere, and as long as I get my PP, I don't care.

Then what is this overnight delivery they are talking about?http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html

How long does express mail take as against overnight?

 

[ocworker]

While it says so, you actually can make copies in certain circumstances, for example for your records (or when CIS needs a copy.) Making copies with the intent of commiting fraud is prohibited.
From http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/hdiorig.htm (my emphasis):
"NOTE: Although the law prohibits duplication of naturalization certificates, certificates of citizenship, and Permanent Resident Cards (formerly known as Alien Registration Cards and commonly called “Green Cards”) for some purposes, that prohibition does not apply to making a photocopy for submission to the USCIS in conjunction with an application or petition."

correct. however, it does not say the prohibition does not apply for your record thou. you can make the photocopy of it if USCIS requires you to do so.

 

[CanTex]

correct. however, it does not say the prohibition does not apply for your record thou. you can make the photocopy of it if USCIS requires you to do so.

Here's what is really funny (and makes no sense): if you've lost a document like this, the first thing they ask for is a copy of what you've lost -- but you had no "official" reason to do this before you lost it... DUH!

I make copies of these types of documents in spite of all of this and keep these in an entirely different location (safe deposit box) for safekeeping.

 

[ocworker]

Here's what is really funny (and makes no sense): if you've lost a document like this, the first thing they ask for is a copy of what you've lost -- but you had no "official" reason to do this before you lost it... DUH!

I make copies of these types of documents in spite of all of this and keep these in an entirely different location (safe deposit box) for safekeeping.

ha... that is funny. hmm.. may be time to get a safe deposit box (which i believe it is good idea)

 

[fitness99]

Strange, the guy at the PO didn't give me any tracking number. I am looking at my PO receipt. They charged me $30 for shipping but there is no tracking number. I also paid $157 (or something around that figure) for expedited service. I specifically insisted on expedited service and shipping for both ways so I am assuming $30 is towards shipping both ways. But no tracking number

Here is the breakdown of the fees for age 16+:

Passport fee: $55
Security surcharge: $12
Execution fee: $30
Expedite fee: $60
TOTAL: $ 157

The expedited USPS shipping should be around $30.00 for both sending/receiving. So...if you paid around ~ $187.00 you are in the right ball park. I do not understand why they will batch mail your application with others when you paid for express USPS shipping exclusively for your passport? Anyway...I hope you get your passport before July 22.

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html

If you are cutting close to your travel date, you may want to call the info. center http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_898.html

Personally I do not like the post office collection process, and applied at a local county passport office (as they exclusively deal with US passports).

 

[voodoo]

I do not understand why they will batch mail your application with others when you paid for express USPS shipping exclusively for your passport?

The PO I went to has a separate room for passport applicants and they deal exclusively with PP customers. Could that be the reason why they batch mail?

I know in some postoffices, PP applicants just stand in line with everybody and apply at the first available counter. This one was not like that.

 

[fitness99]

The PO I went to has a separate room for passport applicants and they deal exclusively with PP customers. Could that be the reason why they batch mail?

I know in some postoffices, PP applicants just stand in line with everybody and apply at the first available counter. This one was not like that.

Could be, and I am not sure if PO's batch mail applications...However the PP agencies are pretty good is processing the expedited applications once they receive them. The only delay in expedited processing is the mailing time.