Passport question

2

2shy

Registered Users (C)
When applying for a US passport for the first time, do we have to submit the original Nat Cert, or can we submit a copy. If we show the original nat cert as proof of citizenship and as the identification document, and they have to make a copy of the ID document, would I still have to submit the original? I just don't really like the idea of submitting my original nat cert if I don't HAVE to.

I was reading the state department's website and am alittle confused.


http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
 
Don't be confused. You have to send the original certificate. Don't worry, most of them are returned, although with some staple holes :(
 
Yes, the passport agent at the post office will staple your naturalization certificate to your passport application. If you feel really, really strongly against this you might want to consider wait until you need a passport for a trip and apply at a passport agency if you have one close by (there are just a few in the country). I think in that case they won't staple your passport and they will give you the passport in a couple of days, but you need to have a legitimate travel need within two weeks of your appointment at the passport agency. I think some people have been able to convince a passport agent to staple through a plastic document holder instead of through the certificate. Of course the certificate has to be enclosed inside the plastic holder or sleeve in a way that it will be impossible to fall off. I didn't do this, but I think someone did something like that. Most people have it stapled through and move on with the "injured" certificate.
 
2shy said:
"most of them"?! "staple holes"?! What the...?
Click to expand...

I think the "most of them returned" was a joke.

The Post Office stapled my application and 2nd picture to the edge of the Certificate. The woman was very careful positioning it right at the edge to minimize damage. Try to look really nervous when they grab for the stapler, maybe gasp a little. :D

The alternative is for some of the paperwork to get lost, so the staple is the best of a bad bunch of options.
 
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