How to apply for american passport after naturalization

Table of Contents Show

Download and Fill out the U.S. Passport Application Form
Proof of Citizenship
Documents and Fees for U.S. Passport
Passport Photo
Submitting Your Application and Documents
On This Page
U.S. Citizenship through Naturalization
Helpful Resources For Citizenship
Take the U.S. Naturalization Test
Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization
Get a Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization
Replace Your Citizenship or Naturalization Certificates
Dual Citizenship or Nationality
Establish Citizenship Without a Birth Certificate
U.S. Citizenship for People Born Abroad or in U.S. Territories
How long does it take to get U.S. passport after naturalization?
How do I get my first passport after naturalization?
Do I have to submit my original naturalization certificate for passport?
What do I need to update after naturalization?
Why do I need to update my Social Security card after citizenship?

Becoming a naturalized US citizen has a wide variety of different benefits that can’t be ignored. All other opportunities that US citizens have, you will also have. You can work for the government in various positions (except the presidency). You can enlist in the armed forces, vote, pay taxes, and more. Or, you can also get a US passport. With this document, you can travel from the US to other countries in the world. The process of getting a passport after naturalization is relatively straightforward, as long as you follow a few basic steps.

Download and Fill out the U.S. Passport Application Form

In order to get your US passport after naturalization, you must make sure to have all the documents to begin the process. You will need a completed passport application, for example, which is form DS-11. Form DS-11 is the application for a new passport, as opposed to other forms, which can be used to update existing passports and more.

Proof of Citizenship

You will also need to be able to submit proof of your US citizenship (which should be no problem at all thanks to the recently completed naturalization process) and proof of your identity. Keep in mind that these are the requirements for adults to obtain passports after the naturalization process. Children and other minors have their own special set of rules.

Documents and Fees for U.S. Passport

You will also need to provide a photocopy of your identification. In addition, you will need to pay a passport fee, which can vary in price from $130 to $225, depending on the circumstances of the situation. If you only want to submit the form itself, the fee will be $130. To expedite the process, you must pay another $60. This will ultimately add to an acceptance agency fee of $35, for a grand total of $225.

Passport Photo

You will also need to have passport photos were taken, which is something that you can do at a pharmacy, at a post office, or at similar locations in your area. You must make sure that your photos meet the requirements. Requirements such as being between 1 x 1 and 3/8ths inches in size.

Submitting Your Application and Documents

Once you have all of the materials in place, the next step will be to submit your paperwork. You will need all of your forms, your identification, your certificate of naturalization, and more. Your application will then be ready for processing. After paying the appropriate fees, you will visit an acceptance agent this agent would witness your signature and check all documents to make sure it is valid. Then you will have the option to submit your passport application for processing any of the following places regional passport agency, passport offices, or a private expediting company.

Keep in mind that if you are in a hurry and need your passport before an upcoming trip, there are a wide variety of passport expediting services. This service will reduce the time you have a passport in your hand.

Comments

comments

Learn the steps for becoming a U.S. citizen including how to apply, sample test questions and what is the naturalization process. Also, find information on dual citizenship, how to get proof of your U.S. citizenship if you were born abroad or replace your lost or stolen citizenship certificate.

U.S. Citizenship through Naturalization

Becoming a citizen through naturalization is a process in which a non-U.S. citizen voluntarily becomes an American citizen. U.S. citizens:

Owe their allegiance to the United States
Are entitled to its protection
Should exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens

Review this visual overview about the general naturalization process.

To become a U.S. citizen, you must:

Have had a Permanent Resident (Green) Card for at least five years, or for at least three years if you’re filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen.
- You must renew your Permanent Resident Card before applying for citizenship if:

Your card will expire within six months of applying, or
Your card has already expired

You can apply for naturalization before you receive your new Green Card. But, you’ll need to submit a photocopy of the receipt for your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, when you receive it.

Meet certain eligibility requirements. To see if you’re eligible, click on the link that is most similar to your situation. Some requirements may include being:
- At least 18 years old when you apply
- Able to read, write, and speak basic English
- Of good moral character
Go through the 10-step naturalization process which includes:
- Determining your eligibility to become an American citizen
- Completing Form N-400, the application for naturalization, and creating a free account to submit your form online
- Taking the U.S. Naturalization Test and having a personal interview

Helpful Resources For Citizenship

Courses to help you learn English

This video about the interview and test process
The Citizenship Resource Center

Take the U.S. Naturalization Test

One of the requirements in the naturalization process is taking the U.S. Naturalization Test. The Naturalization Test has two components: a civics test and an English test.

Find study resources for the test.

100 Civics Questions and Answers for the 2008 Test (with MP3 audio)
Civics Practice Test - Study tool to help you test your knowledge of U.S. history and government.
Learn about the speaking, reading, and writing tests for the English portion of the test under Part D.

Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization

Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization are proof of your U.S. citizenship.

Get a Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization

Apply for a Certificate of Citizenship if:

You were born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, and
Your parents did not get a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for you before you turned 18.

Foreign nationals receive a Certificate of Naturalization when they become American citizens. Get certified copies of a Certificate of Naturalization.

Replace Your Citizenship or Naturalization Certificates

Replace your Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization if it was lost or stolen using form N-565.

If you have further questions, contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Dual Citizenship or Nationality

Dual citizenship (or dual nationality) means a person may be a citizen of the United States and another country at the same time. U.S. law does not require a person to choose one citizenship or another.

If you're a citizen of another country, contact that country's embassy or consulate for information about its:

Laws and policies, including those about dual nationality
Mandatory military service

If you have dual citizenship and plan to travel to or from the United States, you must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States.

A licensed attorney skilled in citizenship matters can assist you with questions about your situation. A local bar association can often provide a good referral.

You may also want to learn about giving up or losing your U.S. citizenship.

Establish Citizenship Without a Birth Certificate

If you were born in the U.S. and there is no birth certificate on file, you will need several different documents to prove your citizenship:

A letter from the vital records office in your birth state with your name and what years they searched for your birth certificate.
A Letter of No Record from the vital records office. You will also need secondary evidence of U.S. citizenship to prove your birth in the United States.

If you were born outside the United States and your U.S. parent(s) did not register your birth at the U.S. Embassy or consulate, you may apply for a U.S. passport, but you will need:

Your foreign birth record showing your parents' names
Evidence of your parent(s) U.S. citizenship
Your parents' marriage certificate

If you were born outside the U.S. and your U.S. parent(s) registered your birth with a U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will be able to help you get a copy of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240).

U.S. Citizenship for People Born Abroad or in U.S. Territories

You are a U.S. citizen if:

You have a birth certificate issued by a U.S. state.
You were born in a U.S. territory and have a birth certificate issued by that territory. If you don't have a birth certificate from your birth territory, you may be able to verify your citizenship status using other documents.
You were born outside of the U.S. to at least one U.S. citizen parent, and your parent(s) recorded your birth with the U.S. Embassy or consulate in that country.
- If your birth was recorded before your 18th birthday, the Embassy or consulate issued your parent(s) a document that is proof of your U.S. citizenship. This document is known as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or Form FS-240). Learn how to request copies, amendments, or corrections to a Consular Report of Birth Abroad from the U.S. Department of State (DOS).
- If the Embassy or consulate did not issue a CRBA and you are 18 years of age or older, learn how to get a Certificate of Citizenship. This document proves your U.S. citizenship and can be obtained from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Learn more about births of U.S. citizens abroad.

Last Updated: October 20, 2022

Top

How long does it take to get U.S. passport after naturalization?

You will receive your passport in about four to six weeks; the documents you submitted with your application will be returned to you within two weeks of receiving your passport. If you don't get your Certificate of Naturalization back, immediately contact the National Passport Information Center to report it.

How do I get my first passport after naturalization?

You must submit your completed application, including citizenship evidence, photocopy of ID, photo, and fees, in person at a passport acceptance facility. You may be eligible to apply in person at a passport agency if you are traveling soon. Please see Get My Passport Fast for more information.

Do I have to submit my original naturalization certificate for passport?

For example, when you apply for a U.S. passport, you must submit the original Certificate of Naturalization, and you should also submit a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated.

What do I need to update after naturalization?

After you receive your naturalization certificate, you should submit Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card (PDF), to update your record with the SSA. You may submit your application by mail or in person at your local SSA office.

By changing your citizenship status with the Social Security Administration, you will ensure you receive all disability, retirement, and social security benefits for which you qualify as a U.S. citizen.