A Certificate of Naturalization is the official document USCIS gives you when you become a U.S. citizen through naturalization. You receive it after you take the Oath of Allegiance at your naturalization ceremony, and it serves as proof of your U.S. citizenship.
You may need your certificate when you apply for a U.S. passport, update your citizenship status with the Social Security Administration, apply for certain jobs or benefits, or need to show a government agency that you are a U.S. citizen.
Key Takeaways
- A Certificate of Naturalization is official proof that you became a U.S. citizen through naturalization.
- USCIS gives you the certificate at your naturalization ceremony after your Form N-400 is approved and you take the Oath of Allegiance.
- The certificate does not expire, but replacing a lost one is expensive and slow, so keep the original in a safe place.
- If your certificate is lost, stolen, damaged, or has an error, you can generally use Form N-565 to request a replacement.
What Is a Naturalization Certificate?
A Certificate of Naturalization is the document that shows you became a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process. USCIS gives it to you after you complete the required steps and take the Oath of Allegiance.
It is different from other documents that can show U.S. citizenship. For example, a person born in the United States may use a birth certificate as proof of citizenship, while someone who became a citizen through a U.S. citizen parent may have a Certificate of Citizenship.
If you became a U.S. citizen by applying for naturalization, your proof of citizenship is your Certificate of Naturalization.
What Information Is on a Naturalization Certificate?
Your certificate includes information that identifies you and your naturalization record. It generally shows your:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Country of former citizenship
- A-Number
- Certificate number
- Date you became a U.S. citizen
- Photograph
- Signature
- USCIS information
Your A-Number and certificate number are not the same. Your A-Number is your Alien Registration Number and is usually the same number used throughout your immigration history. The certificate number identifies your particular Certificate of Naturalization.
When you receive your certificate, check the information carefully. If your name, date of birth, A-Number, or another important detail is wrong, tell USCIS as soon as possible.
When Do You Receive Your Certificate of Naturalization?
USCIS generally gives you the certificate at your naturalization ceremony, after you take the Oath of Allegiance and become a U.S. citizen.
Before you leave the ceremony, try to check the certificate to make sure your information appears correctly. If you see a mistake, tell USCIS staff at the ceremony if possible. Fixing a mistake later may require additional paperwork.
Certificate of Naturalization vs. Certificate of Citizenship
A Certificate of Naturalization and a Certificate of Citizenship both show U.S. citizenship, but they are used for different situations.
Document | Who receives it? |
|---|---|
Certificate of Naturalization | A person who becomes a U.S. citizen through naturalization |
Certificate of Citizenship | A person who gets U.S. citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent |
U.S. passport | A U.S. citizen who applies for a passport through the Department of State |
Birth certificate | Generally, a person born in the United States |
Permanent Resident Card | A lawful permanent resident; it does not prove U.S. citizenship |
Knowing which document you have can help when you fill out government forms or apply for a benefit that requires proof of citizenship.
What Is a Naturalization Certificate Used For?
Your Certificate of Naturalization is an important way to prove that you are a U.S. citizen. You may need it when you:
- Apply for your first U.S. passport
- Update your citizenship status with the Social Security Administration
- Apply for certain jobs
- Apply for certain government benefits
- Support certain immigration applications for family members
- Need to show proof of citizenship to a government agency
Once you have a U.S. passport, the passport covers most of these situations. Many naturalized citizens never need the certificate again, so it is worth applying for your passport soon after your ceremony and leaving the certificate where you store it.
For employment verification, employers must follow Form I-9 rules. Employees choose which acceptable documents to show, so an employer should not ask for a specific document. If an employee shows a Certificate of Naturalization, the employer should return the original after checking it.
How Do You Get a Certificate of Naturalization?
You get a Certificate of Naturalization after you successfully complete the naturalization process. For most people, this starts with Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and ends with the Oath of Allegiance.
The process generally follows this order:
- File Form N-400. You complete and submit your application for U.S. citizenship.
- Complete your USCIS interview and tests. Most applicants must attend an interview and take the required English and civics tests.
- Get your application approved. If USCIS approves your application, you will be scheduled for a naturalization ceremony.
- Take the Oath of Allegiance. You become a U.S. citizen when you take the oath.
- Receive your certificate. USCIS gives you your Certificate of Naturalization at the ceremony.
Who Can Apply for Naturalization?
For most people, you must be at least 18 years old and have had a green card for at least five years before you can apply. You also generally must have lived in the United States for the required amount of time, meet the good moral character rules, and pass the required English and civics tests unless you qualify for an exception.
If you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, you may be able to apply after three years as a permanent resident if you meet the other requirements. Some military members and other applicants may qualify under different rules.
Because the requirements depend on your situation, it is important to check which rules apply to you before filing Form N-400.
How Long Does the Naturalization Process Take?
The time it takes to become a U.S. citizen can vary depending on your case and the USCIS office handling your application. There is no single timeline that applies to every applicant.
USCIS reported a 7.2-month national median processing time for Form N-400 in fiscal year 2026 through June 30, 2026. Some applications are completed faster, while others take longer.
For the most current estimate, check the USCIS processing-time tool for your form and field office.
How Should You Store Your Naturalization Certificate?
A Certificate of Naturalization does not expire, so keep the original in a safe place. Replacing one is expensive and slow. You have to file another USCIS application, pay $505 or $555, and wait months without the document. There is no quick reprint, so treat the certificate like a deed or a birth certificate.A safe or lockbox can help protect it from being lost, stolen, or damaged.
It is also a good idea to keep a secure copy so you can find important information, such as your certificate number and A-Number, when you need it. Try not to carry the original at all. Use your U.S. passport if needed as your everyday proof of citizenship so the certificate can stay where you put it.
What If Your Naturalization Certificate Is Lost or Damaged?
Losing your naturalization certificate can be stressful, especially if you need it to apply for a passport or prove your citizenship. USCIS generally uses Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, when someone needs a new certificate.
You may use Form N-565 if your certificate was:
- Lost or stolen
- Destroyed
- Damaged
- Issued with an error
- Changed after your naturalization in a situation where USCIS allows a replacement
How to Replace a Lost Naturalization Certificate
If you lose your certificate, the replacement process generally involves these steps:
- Complete Form N-565. Provide information about yourself, your naturalization, and the certificate you need to replace. If you know your certificate number, include it.
- Gather the documents you need. The documents you submit depend on why you are requesting a replacement. For example, USCIS may ask for the damaged certificate or other documents that support your request.
- Pay the filing fee, if required. The current Form N-565 fee is $505 when filed online or $555 when filed by paper. If USCIS made the mistake on your certificate, you generally do not have to pay the fee. Some people may also qualify for a fee waiver.
- Submit the application and respond to USCIS if needed. USCIS may ask you for more information or documents while reviewing your application.
Processing times can change, so check the current USCIS processing-time estimate instead of relying on a fixed number of months.
What If USCIS Made a Mistake?
If USCIS made a mistake on your naturalization certificate, you generally do not have to pay the Form N-565 fee.
Do not try to change the certificate yourself. Instead, contact USCIS and follow its instructions for getting the mistake fixed.
What If You Never Received Your Certificate?
If you took the Oath of Allegiance but never received your Certificate of Naturalization, contact USCIS before filing a replacement request. USCIS can check your record and tell you what steps to take.
Have information about your naturalization ceremony and case available when you contact USCIS. Depending on the situation, you may need to file Form N-565.
Does a Naturalization Certificate Expire?
No. A Certificate of Naturalization does not expire, so you can continue to use it as proof of your naturalization.
If the certificate is lost, damaged, or has incorrect information, you may need to request a replacement. U.S. citizenship itself also does not expire, although citizenship can be taken away in limited cases through a legal process.
Can You Use a Copy of a Naturalization Certificate?
Whether you can use a copy depends on the agency and what you are applying for. Some agencies accept copies, while others require the original certificate or another specific document.
For that reason, keep your original Certificate of Naturalization in a safe place and check the document requirements before sending it to an agency.
How Ellis can help
Naturalization means tracking applications, documents, deadlines, and USCIS notices. Ellis attorneys advise employees on their naturalization options and filings, and the Ellis platform keeps cases, documents, deadlines, and tasks in one place.