Problem with citizenship ceremony and work authorization, help please!

P

penn10

New Member
OK, I got a problem and hope someone can help. Going to my citizenship swear-in ceremony this coming Friday. My understanding is that I will need to surrender my greencard and receive a Certificate of Naturalization paper that I can use to apply for passport, etc.

I am starting a new job the following Monday, which requires me to prove my eligibility to work in US, the i-9 form. However, on Monday, all I have is my Certificate of Naturalization paper, no greencard, no passport (not applied yet). And this certificate is not part of the acceptable document on the i-9 form!

How strange? What am I supposed to do? I asked the employer to start my new job on Friday, before I go to the ceremony so that I still have my greencard, but if that's not feasible, what options do I have?

Thanks!
 
Do you have an SSN card with no restrictions? If so, that is all you need.

penn10 said:
What am I supposed to do? I asked the employer to start my new job on Friday, before I go to the ceremony so that I still have my greencard, but if that's not feasible, what options do I have?
Click to expand...
 
There are 3 categories A, B and C listed on the form I-9. You need either A, or B&C.
B can be a drivers license
C can be a social security card ... this presumably does not have restrictions if you removed them when you got GC
 
Thank for the reply guys! Unfortunately, my SSN card still has the restriction note on it, it was the original one I got with my F-1 visa. So guess it's no good? What other options do I have? Thanks again!
 
Prior to 2009, naturalization certificates were accepted as proof of employment, but are no longer on the list of acceptable documents.

Does your SSN card say something like "not allowed to work in US unless authorized"? If it does, then go to SSN office to apply for a new card which you should get within 2 weeks.
Also, you can go regional passport center to try get passport same day, but they usually require evidence of travel within 2 weeks. I'm sure they can make exception in your case since you need to prove employment authorization.
Can you delay your start date by a few days if your work is not willing to wait for documentation?
As a last resort, consider delaying oath so that when you start work, you still have green card in hand.
 
Check if your employer accepts notarized copy of your green card... though its not listed as acceptable in Form I-9, your new employer could make an exception in your case....
Or Can't you finish this formality on Friday with your HR before your oath ceremony and explain your situation?
 
Bobsmyth said:
As a last resort, consider delaying oath so that when you start work, you still have green card in hand.
Click to expand...

Very good reply. I totally agree with Bobsmyth. Employment is more important, delay your Oath Ceremony. Ask for a new date citing Schedule conflict as reason. In due course you will be a USC. Make infopass and ask for new date.
 
Given that employers have a 90 day window to accept documentation as Triplecitizen mentioned, showing the employer receipt within 3 days of start date that you applied for a new SSN should suffice.
 
Can you just call the HR department of your new emplyer and explain the situation? Perhaps you can swing by earlier than your start data for you to show the GC to them?
 
You guys are awesome! I did not know about the 90-day rule! This totally saved me. From the i-9 form instruction, I have 3 days to provide a receipt that I've applied for a valid document (which would be my passport) and have 90-days to submit it.

Thanks, problem solved!!
 
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