Have people successfully entered US with Certificate of Naturalization only (no US passport)?

[der_ingenieur]

More out of curiosity than anything (I am aware that there is urgent, even same day passport service):

If a recently naturalized US citizen, in possession of the Certificate of Naturalization and a valid non-US passport (because they are dual citizens), goes on an overseas trip.... Have people been successful being admitted into the US, based on the fact that they are US Citizens (as proven by the Certificate)?

They might be able to board the inbound flight with their valid foreign passport, maybe they even have a valid ESTA, etc.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this subject. Thanks!

 

[newacct]

By U.S. law (see here and here), U.S. citizens are required to enter and exit the U.S. with a U.S. passport, with a few exceptions, so first of all this would be illegal. Now, if you lost your passport at the airport or something then it would be understandable, but if you just intentionally do it, you should expect no nice treatment. Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen they eventually have to let you in, but they would probably detain you and inspect you for a long time and verify the certificate and that you are still a citizen. You may have to pay a fee to apply for a waiver.

If you are in need to travel very urgently, there are ways of getting a U.S. passport very quickly. See here (see "If you are Traveling within 14 Days or Need a Passport for a Foreign Visa within 4 Weeks")

 

[dhlunar]

Usually the transportation carrier that brought you over to the US would be fined if they allowed you to come to the US without the proper documentation. So, more then likely a airline would not let you board a flight without a US Passport.

 

[König]

Usually the transportation carrier that brought you over to the US would be fined if they allowed you to come to the US without the proper documentation. So, more then likely a airline would not let you board a flight without a US Passport.

The airline would allow anyone from a visa-waiver country to board a flight given that a person had an approved ESTA. For example, if a German-US citizen boarded the flight with a German passport and an ESTA, the airline would not be fined because they had no knowledge of this passenger's US citizenship and otherwise followed all the rules outlined in the TIMATIC.

The US citizen would be eventually admitted, especially if he/she has a document proving his/her citizenship (certificate of citizenship/naturalisation, birth certificate, etc). However, a fine may be levied against such passenger, especially if it is obvious that the passenger boarded the flight intentionally without a valid travel document.