N-565 REPLACEMENT NATURALIZATION / CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENT

The N-565 form is used to apply for a replacement of a Certificate of Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization, Declaration of Intention, Repatriation Certificate, or to apply for a special certificate of naturalization as a U.S. citizen to be recognized by a foreign country.

The N-565 form is most commonly used when the Certificate has been lost, stolen, or destroyed. It may also be used to correct some errors on a Certificate of Naturalization, however, it cannot be used to correct a date of birth incorrectly listed on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

For over 30 years, our firm and highly trained team of attorneys and paralegals have helped countless individuals obtain U.S. citizenship and we are ready to help you.

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LEGAL FEE

Our fee structure is unique to us as we strive to tailor our services for each client individually. We adapt price standards that are capable of fluctuating for each client depending on their unique needs. Clients may retain us for one or all of the above steps/services.

We take great pride in providing our legal services to community members. Our fee for a N-565 standard case is $1500 at which the case will be reviewed by our highly trained immigration attorneys and paralegals. We are happy to customize a proposal for you during a consultation and walk you through what a standard N-565 case looks like. Please see below for more information.

CASE PROCESSING OVERVIEW

Step 1: Strategy Session for the N-565 Application

This is the most crucial step for your entire N-565 Application. We will review all of the supporting documents to create a strategy, a customized checklist, and a timeline to serve as the guiding foundation for the entire case preparation.

Step 2: Prepare and Submit the N-565 to USCIS

Our attorneys will craft your N-565 arguments and complete all forms, organize supporting documents, and assemble the crafted arguments into the proper application formats. After a thorough review, we will then submit the application to USCIS.

Step 3: Biometrics Appointment

You will need to attend a biometrics appointment most commonly known as fingerprinting appointment. USCIS will conduct a mandatory criminal background check and verify your identity. The process itself does not take long and our office will assist you during this process.

Step 4: Responding to Requests / Administrative Processing / Status Checks / Fraud Alerts

If additional documents/evidence are needed upon the submission of the case and after the interview, our office will ensure that all necessary documents are submitted to the USCIS office in a timely manner. We will assist the client to the best of our ability until the case gets approved or the client no longer wants to continue forward with the case.

Step 5: Approval is only the beginning

Once your N-565 application is approved USCIS will mail you a new Certificate of Citizenship/ Naturalization. Our Team will help prepare a plan for future goals, such as obtaining a U.S. Passport or petitioning for a family member.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Checklist of Required Evidence

Did you provide the following?

Two identical passport-style photographs
Your original document or certificate if you are applying for a new or replacement document due to a name, date of birth, or gender change
A copy of the original document if you are applying for replacement of a lost, stolen, or destroyed document (if applicable)
A police report or a sworn statement if you are applying for replacement of a lost, stolen, or destroyed document
Evidence of a USCIS typographical or clerical error (if applicable)
Evidence of your legal name change (if applicable)
Evidence of your legal date of birth change (if applicable)
Evidence of your legal gender change (if applicable)
Evidence of your marital status change (if applicable)
A copy of your original naturalization certificate if applying for special certificate of naturalization

Filing Fee

The updated filing fee for form I-565 can be found here. If you file your Form N-565 online, you may pay your fee online. If you file your Form N-565 by mail (paper), you may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

When you send a payment, you agree to pay for a government service. Filing and biometric service fees are final and non-refundable, regardless of any action we take on your application, petition, or request, or if you withdraw your request.

Eligibility for N-565

You may apply for a replacement if:

You were issued a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention, or Repatriation Certificate, which was lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated;
You were issued a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration or Repatriation Certificate which is incorrect due to typographical/clerical error by USCIS;
Your name was changed by marriage or by court order after the document was issued and you seek a document in your new name;
You received your Certificate of Citizenship and afterward, you obtained a court order or a state-issued document that changes your date of birth and you seek a certificate with the new date of birth;
You were issued a Certificate of Citizenship or a Certificate of Naturalization and your change of gender is legally recognized through a court order, a government-issued document, or a medical certification; or
You are a naturalized citizen seeking a special certificate of naturalization for the purpose of a foreign country recognizing you as a citizen of the United States.

Sworn Statements

A sworn statement is a declaration of the facts. It’s like testimony in a written form. Your statement should describe the circumstances of how, when and where your citizenship document was lost, stolen or destroyed.
A sworn statement does not need to be notarized. At the end of the sworn statement, include a sentence that says, “I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.”

SAMPLE & TEMPLATES

Attorney Brief: [coming soon] We will provide an attorney brief sample for the N-565 petition.

Cover Letter: [coming soon] We will also provide a cover letter sample for the N-565 petition.

Sample Request for Evidence: [coming soon] Requests for evidence can be used to strengthen the case.

Forms: Here is a list of the forms that are needed by USCIS

Sample Checklist: [coming soon] We look at the client’s unique situation and create customized checklists to strengthen their cases.

USCIS Fee Calculator: This is to help calculate how much the filing fee will be.

USCIS Mailing Address: This address is where it is mailed to USCIS.

USCIS Processing Timetable: This will help you figure out how long it will take to process.

ASC Field Offices: Listed are the addresses of the field offices for the bio-metrics.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between a Certificate of Naturalization and a Certificate of Citizenship?

A Certificate of Naturalization is proof of U.S. citizenship for people who have gotten citizenship through the naturalization process. During the Citizenship Ceremony, naturalized citizens receive a Certificate of Naturalization as proof of their U.S. citizenship. If you have lost your Certificate of Naturalization, you can use Form N-565 to replace it.
A Certificate of Citizenship is proof of U.S. citizenship for people who are already U.S. citizens, either by birth or through “automatic citizenship”. They can request a Certificate of Citizenship to prove their U.S. citizenship using Form N-600.
Form N-600 or Form N-565 are not applications for naturalization. People who are U.S. permanent residents (green card holders) can apply for U.S. citizenship with Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

How long does N-565 take to process?

After you submit your Form N-565, USCIS will start the process of checking all of your documents, and see if the application is complete. If you somehow forgot to submit something, or your application is not complete, your application will most likely be denied by USCIS, which will lead to more time being wasted. When this happens, you will be notified by USCIS.

It takes up to 30 days to receive a notice from USCIS. Once you see that you’ve been sent an Application Receipt number, it means that your application has been received and the USCIS members are processing it. You may also be requested to show proof that you’ll go to the office for an interview.

Overall, the application of Form N-565 should be a process that takes about five months – at least – if everything goes well.

When should I file for a new citizenship certificate?

You should only file for a new citizenship certificate if USCIS made a mistake on the original document, or you get your name changed legally. Also, if there’s any requirement for a special certificate by a foreign country, you can also file for a new one. And of course, losing, destroying or having the document mutilated makes you eligible for filing an N-565.

SCHEDULE A SESSION

Call or email us to set up your 1-hour consultation. Easily pay the $250 consultation fee over the phone or through our email link. If you would like to have a quick chat with our team before setting up the consultation, feel free to use the calendar on the right to book your 10 minute call.