are they supposed to take my naturalization certificate for passport processing?

D

danny1968

New Member
are they supposed to take my naturalization certificate for passport processing? I was told that I would get it back, but I'm just wondering where on the passport application(or regulations) does it say that they need to keep it during the process?

in the unlikely event that they(or the post office) lose it, will I have to pay to get a replacement certificate? :(
 
danny1968 said:
are they supposed to take my naturalization certificate for passport processing? I was told that I would get it back, but I'm just wondering where on the passport application(or regulations) does it say that they need to keep it during the process?

in the unlikely event that they(or the post office) lose it, will I have to pay to get a replacement certificate? :(
Click to expand...

Yes, they need it to apply for your passport and will return it to you when done. If they loose it, you can try to recuperate the cost of replacing it from USPS, but I don't know how successful you will be.
 
Bobsmyth said:
Yes, they need it to apply for your passport and will return it to you when done. If they loose it, you can try to recuperate the cost of replacing it from USPS, but I don't know how successful you will be.
Click to expand...

I think taking the USPS to small claims court may be a feasible remedy.
 
oh, they took mine too. they even stapled it to the passport application, which sucked because it felt like those holes went right through my US citizen heart :)
oh yeah, i forgot, i am an american now
 
vlorak said:
oh, they took mine too. they even stapled it to the passport application, which sucked because it felt like those holes went right through my US citizen heart :)
oh yeah, i forgot, i am an american now
Click to expand...

LOL You are too funny! I wish you had said something, because I would have advised you to use the clear document protectors to submit your certificate. I used that and instructed the postal worker to staple through the slip rather than the certificate (since the certificate is slightly smaller than the slip and there is space). My certificate came back intact and without a single crease! I did also expedite the application and include overnight packaging for the return. All in all, I think it took 7 days to get my passport.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
LolaLi,

That's a neat trick. I wish I had thought of it. However, several months after the holes were made with the stapler I can say that the wound on my citizenship heart has healed :)
 
never used the "clear doc protector" before...do we get it in Staples or Office Max? Will try it when my turn comes for this :)
 
LolaLi said:
LOL You are too funny! I wish you had said something, because I would have advised you to use the clear document protectors to submit your certificate. I used that and instructed the postal worker to staple through the slip rather than the certificate (since the certificate is slightly smaller than the slip and there is space). My certificate came back intact and without a single crease! I did also expedite the application and include overnight packaging for the return. All in all, I think it took 7 days to get my passport.
Click to expand...

now I feel sad... I did have my naturalization certificate in a clear document
protector. Without thinking, I took it out of the protector and handed it to
the passport clerk. I didn't see if he stapled it to my passport application
or not.... if it does come back with two staple holes, I'll just think of it as
a nice hickie for my certificate! :D :D :D
 
LOLALI
man, i didn't know about the clear folder. wish i had said something. i have to say until i submitted the passport application, i was shaking. hehehe even while iw as signing the application, i was shaking. the lady at the post office kept laughing so hard. she even commented about my photo glued to the naturalization certificate that i looked sad and scared. then she saw the two photos i had for passport and said, no you can do better. she took my photo numerous times until she was happy with the way i looked on the photo. i kept telling her, lady there's nothing you can do about my nose. it';s just big :).
i paid expedited, all that, even though the lady was insisting i apply normal processing. she was saying too much money, and it will arrive about the same time as expedited. i'm like, i have spend so much money on immigration process, i won't cheap out on passport now. GIVE ME MY PASSPORT :)
oh and yeah, when i entered the post office, during lunch hours, i stood in the middle and said
i woke up american today. they all looked. hahaha middle aged people. one asked naturalized? i said yes? hahaha i sm sure there were thinking oh goodie, one more foreigner hahahahah.
i will apply for FOIPA and get my file. i am curious to see what they have. i mean, my file should be thick, i changed my status 3 times.
now, i need to get the courage to book tix for my kids and myself to go visit my family. it's been so long.
 
vlorak said:
the lady at the post office kept laughing so hard. she even commented about my photo glued to the naturalization certificate that i looked sad and scared.
Click to expand...

right after I received my naturalization certificate, I had my passport pictures
taken. the photo looked kind of like this one:

my passport photo: http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2465/passportphotosheetsmallcm5.jpg
(which reflected exactly how I felt on the inside)

the passport acceptance dude wouldn't take this photo because he said my hands were visible....
and also they don't look like me... so I submitted two different ones... :D
 
Last edited by a moderator:
vlorak said:
LOLALI
man, i didn't know about the clear folder. wish i had said something. i have to say until i submitted the passport application, i was shaking. hehehe even while iw as signing the application, i was shaking. the lady at the post office kept laughing so hard. she even commented about my photo glued to the naturalization certificate that i looked sad and scared. then she saw the two photos i had for passport and said, no you can do better. she took my photo numerous times until she was happy with the way i looked on the photo. i kept telling her, lady there's nothing you can do about my nose. it';s just big :).
i paid expedited, all that, even though the lady was insisting i apply normal processing. she was saying too much money, and it will arrive about the same time as expedited. i'm like, i have spend so much money on immigration process, i won't cheap out on passport now. GIVE ME MY PASSPORT :)
oh and yeah, when i entered the post office, during lunch hours, i stood in the middle and said
i woke up american today. they all looked. hahaha middle aged people. one asked naturalized? i said yes? hahaha i sm sure there were thinking oh goodie, one more foreigner hahahahah.
i will apply for FOIPA and get my file. i am curious to see what they have. i mean, my file should be thick, i changed my status 3 times.
now, i need to get the courage to book tix for my kids and myself to go visit my family. it's been so long.
Click to expand...

I can relate to what you are going through... Its amazing how we hold up through all the processes and then the minute we are done with the immigration journey we realize just how drained the journey has left us. I paid expedited for the same reason you did - I wasn't going to get cheap over $90 extra when I have already paid so much. Plus, it worked to my benefit, as I got my passport and certificate in the same package and I could track it too.

Give yourself a few days to realize the immigration journey is over and let the euphoria sink in. Then you'll have the energy to search for those tickets. Or, you could have your husband do the searching - but not sure he would know a bargain for international tickets! :D

I hope you have a great time seeing your parents (and other family members) - I know its been years since you've seen them. Also stick around this forum as it is now your job to calm down those who are as stressed out as you have been about the process.
 
CrossHairs said:
never used the "clear doc protector" before...do we get it in Staples or Office Max? Will try it when my turn comes for this :)
Click to expand...

Either or - be sure you get the ones that would prevent letters from slipping out. It shouldn't cost you more than $7. The certificate is smaller than the standard letter format, so it will fit in nicely and have the added space for them to staple without damaging the certificate.

I keep my certificate in that protector as it will help in preserving the document. I mean we are supposed to keep it forever! :) Or something like that....
 
LolaLi said:
I paid expedited for the same reason you did - I wasn't going to get cheap over $90 extra when I have already paid so much. Plus, it worked to my benefit, as I got my passport and certificate in the same package and I could track it too.
.
Click to expand...

I felt exactly the same way, which is why I personally went down to the
nearest US Passport Agency and applied for my very first US passport in
person. I just showed the lady my airline ticket for next week, but she didn't
even look at it...

It was only an extra $60, on top of the regular passport fee. (plus the $6.50
to park in the parking deck next door) The total was $180 ($100 passport card,
$20 passport card, $60 next-day expedite fee. She looked over everything and
gave me a pick-up receipt. My US passport will be ready first thing Monday
morning.(the next business day) I can't wait to check-in for my flight with my
spanking new US passport.... as well returning 5 days later... handing the CBP
officer my US passport! :D :D :D

* * * By the way, an appointement has to be made in advance to go to the
US Passport Agency. I made the appointment more than 2 weeks ago.
(for 8:15AM, on the day after my naturalization interview date!) :D :D :D :D
I wasn't the only one... I bumped into a guy that I saw at my oath ceremony
the day before. :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It truly is an odd feeling waking up one day as an American. I wish i used the clear folder to send in my certificate. I applied for the passport expedited ofcourse and also applied for the passport card as it was only $20 more. I am so glad that this is almost over. By the way when you file th FOIPA how long does that take and does Uscis keep a copy of the records(i hope they do just incase).
 
thedeepsea said:
It truly is an odd feeling waking up one day as an American. I wish i used the clear folder to send in my certificate. I applied for the passport expedited ofcourse and also applied for the passport card as it was only $20 more. I am so glad that this is almost over. By the way when you file th FOIPA how long does that take and does Uscis keep a copy of the records(i hope they do just incase).
Click to expand...


I didn't sleep at all for almost 48 hours after I took my oath. I think I was way too excited after that. :D
 
thedeepsea said:
It truly is an odd feeling waking up one day as an American. I wish i used the clear folder to send in my certificate. I applied for the passport expedited ofcourse and also applied for the passport card as it was only $20 more. I am so glad that this is almost over. By the way when you file th FOIPA how long does that take and does Uscis keep a copy of the records(i hope they do just incase).
Click to expand...

Hi thedeepsea,

If you are requesting your entire A-file, be prepared to wait for at least 1 year. I believe I waiting approximately a year and half to get a copy of my A-file.
 
CrossHairs said:
How do we request the entire A-file on CD?
Click to expand...

When you apply, they will send you a letter acknowledging receipt. In that letter, they will let you know of the options available and how to call in to request that they switch you to CD processing. I think the default is paper-based processing, but you can call in and change it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top