Questions on applying for a passport

A

aashn

Registered Users (C)
a) How long does one have to wait after taking the naturalization oath, to apply for a passport? Can it be done the next day, for example, or even, on the very same day?

b) The passport form has a field for a "alien registration number". Is this the same as what was on the greencard? I though the green card becomes invalid when one gets naturalized??

c) Should the old passport from the country of birth need to returned, canceled or something after taking the naturalization oath? Or does it depend on the country (India, in my case)?

Thanks for your time and answers.
 
aashn said:
a) How long does one have to wait after taking the naturalization oath, to apply for a passport? Can it be done the next day, for example, or even, on the very same day?

b) The passport form has a field for a "alien registration number". Is this the same as what was on the greencard? I though the green card becomes invalid when one gets naturalized??

c) Should the old passport from the country of birth need to returned, canceled or something after taking the naturalization oath? Or does it depend on the country (India, in my case)?

Thanks for your time and answers.
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a) Can be applied same day - usually there are people from the passport agency at the oath ceremony to collect your passport application. Or, you can go to other passport agency (Post office) to apply for one.
b) You dont need to fill that in as you are not an Alien anymore. I did fill it in (same as that in GC) - no harm.
c) If country of birth doesnt recognize dual citizenship then you need to get the old passport cancelled - true for India.
 
Thank you very much, Suriyan. Your posts are always very helpful and accurate. Really appreciate it.
 
suriyan said:
c) If country of birth doesnt recognize dual citizenship then you need to get the old passport cancelled - true for India.
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One more question, regarding the above, if I may. I could not find any information on how to cancel the old passport on the New York consulate web site. Could you give me some pointers, please?

Also, my old passport is about to expire in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure if I should bother with cancelling it anyways? In other words, is it important to let someone know that my former nationality is not valid anymore?
 
Below is an excerpt from the SFO Indian consulate, which answers your questions.
---- 8< ----
Indian Citizenship Law Does Not Provide For Dual Citizenship and, accordingly, it is illegal for a person to possess an Indian Passport once he/she becomes citizen of another country. It may therefore, be noted that on becoming citizen of any other country (including US), the holder of an Indian passport should return the same to the nearest Indian Consular post (Embassy/Consulate). The Indian passport will be stamped "acquired US nationality" and returned to holder. Please send the Indian passport with covering letter and a self addressed stamped envelope for this purpose.
---- 8< ----
 
aashn said:
One more question, regarding the above, if I may. I could not find any information on how to cancel the old passport on the New York consulate web site. Could you give me some pointers, please?

Also, my old passport is about to expire in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure if I should bother with cancelling it anyways? In other words, is it important to let someone know that my former nationality is not valid anymore?
Click to expand...
Send your passport to CGINY with a small cover letter explaining that you have acquired US citizenship and want to cancel the PP. They will cancel (VOID) it and send it back to you if you enclose return postage. I recommend cancelling the current passport only after getting the US passport. Other than informing the consulate (for cancellation of current PP) about your new citizenship, you don't have to let anyone know of it. If you have any bank accounts/property back home that hinge upon the fact of you being a national of your motherland, then theoritically you have to let them know. But in reality who cares? It is just my personal opinion (the last one).
 
Last I checked with Indian Consulate in Houston...they said no need to send it in to be canceled....
If (when) you apply for India visa, just bring it in...or mail it in with a cover letter and they will cancel the Indian passport..
 
suriyan said:
b) You dont need to fill that in as you are not an Alien anymore. I did fill it in (same as that in GC) - no harm.
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I don't see why one doesn't need to fill in the A # on the passport form. This is the number that refers to all the records before one became a naturalized citizen. If the passport agency needs more background information, then having the A # would facilitate the process. The A# is also printed on the certification of naturalization. The passport agency can get it from the certificate.
 
NJGoose said:
I don't see why one doesn't need to fill in the A # on the passport form. This is the number that refers to all the records before one became a naturalized citizen. If the passport agency needs more background information, then having the A # would facilitate the process. The A# is also printed on the certification of naturalization. The passport agency can get it from the certificate.
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Well I received my passport despite leaving that box blank...
 
boatbod said:
Well I received my passport despite leaving that box blank...
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Then the passport agent has to read your A# from your certificate of naturalization and fill it in for you. For a not so nice agent, he might delay your application. When dealing with the government, ensure that you make everything easy for them and make no mistake in the process.
 
boatbod said:
Sounds like pure speculation on your part....

US citizens - regardless of how they became citizens - do not have to fill in the A# box. It is there because certain non-citizen US nationals are allowed to hold US passports. See here for more details of non-citizen nationals
Click to expand...

I read the article and am confused. The article makes a distinction between an alien and a non-citizen U.S. national. Are U.S. nationals assigned A #s as well? I don't get this from the article.

Would a native of American Samoa be regarded as an alien in Samoa if he is assigned an A (alien) #? This doesn't make sense to me.
 
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