Originally Posted by
Newbie2FT
Re naturalization certificate for passport: Hmm, that's odd. The
instructions for Form DS-11 ("Application for a U.S. Passport") say:
"WHAT TO SUBMIT WITH THIS FORM: 1. PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP: Evidence of U.S. citizenship
AND a photocopy of the front (and back, if there is printed information) must be submitted with your application. The photocopy must be on 8 ½ inch by 11 inch paper, black and white ink, legible, and clear."
Did you get expedited or same-day service at a U.S. Passport Agency regional office? (Because they can process the passport within the office, they might have been more willing to use the original for all the verification steps?) Or, if you submitted your application at a post office, maybe the postal clerk did you a favor and made the photocopy for you?
Re USCIS: That's great news. I'm glad it worked out for you. Did the office seem very busy? How long did you wait, and how long did the process take? Did the front-door security try to send you away because you lacked an appointment?
And, yeah, it's confusing that
the instructions explicitly say to "be sure to bring your original naturalization certificate
and a copy of it . . . . A USCIS officer will review the documents and may
certify the copy" -- when in fact, they don't trust people at all and want to make their own copies!
And the fact that the Form G-24 attachment is even added to a simple photocopy certification is sort of interesting, ya?
Looks like you're all set for your Global Entry interview. Like I said, it's unlikely the CBP officer will even ask for the certificate but at least you have the certified copy -- and it would be nuts if (s)he didn't accept a certified copy at all. Congrats on finishing the preliminary hurdles.
Good morning and happy Friday!
You are right about the USP, they did mention copies, but they def wanted the original NC(which they mail back a week in to the application submission). #memoryfail #again
GE - yes, I'm def. relieved for not having to carry the original NC with me.(fingers crossed).
So before the walk-in, I check the normal busy hours and planned around that. At the security check point, I presented my appointment notice(for next week) and explained why I was doing an early walk in. Thankfully the security guard was patient enough hear my story. After the expected 'we don't normally do this' part, he was kind enough to make a few calls to get the ball rolling. By the time I was done with the security part, a USCIS officer was waiting to help me. Stars aligned and I was out within 30 mins with my certified copy.
To my pleasant amusement, a group of freshly naturalized walked out after the oath ceremony while I was waiting on the officer to make the copies. Brought back so many memories, making me smile ear to ear. Big families, small families, some ecstatic, some prolly daunted by the amount of paper work that followed, but overall a joyful satisfaction of having completed a major journey!
In-case, I don't log back in before, Wish all the FT-ers and their families a warm thanksgiving!