Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document - Paper Filing

Instructions for Application for Replacement
Naturalization/Citizenship Document
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS
Form N-565
OMB No. 1615-0091
Expires 12/31/2024

What Is the Purpose of Form N-565?

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Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, is used to apply to U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) for a replacement of a:
1. Certificate of Naturalization;
2. Certificate of Citizenship;

3. Declaration of Intention; or
4. Repatriation Certificate.

You can also use this application to apply for a special certificate of naturalization to have a foreign country recognize
you as a U.S. citizen.

Who May File Form N-565?

You may apply for a replacement document if you were issued a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship,
Declaration of Intention, or Repatriation Certificate, and at least one of the following applies:
1. The document was lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated;

2. The document is incorrect due to a typographical or clerical error by USCIS;

3. Your name was changed by marriage, divorce, annulment, or court order, and you seek a document in your new name;
or
4. You obtained a court order, a government-issued document, or a letter from a licensed health care professional
recognizing that your gender is different from the gender listed on your current document, and you seek a document
reflecting the recognized gender.
In addition, you may apply for a replacement of your Certificate of Citizenship if you obtained a court order or a
document issued by the U.S. government or the government of any U.S. state that changes your date of birth, and you
seek a document with the new date of birth.
You may also file this application if you are a naturalized citizen seeking a special certificate of naturalization for the
purpose of a foreign country recognizing you as a U.S. citizen.
If the document was lost in the mail, please submit an online case service request for non-delivery of document prior to
submitting Form N-565.
NOTE: USCIS will not change your name without evidence such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
We will not change the date of birth on a Certificate of Citizenship without documentation such as a U.S. court order or
state-issued documents.
USCIS cannot make any changes to an incorrect date of birth or name on a Certificate of Naturalization if you provided
an incorrect date or name on your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and then later swore to the facts of your
application by signing Part 16. Signature at Interview. We can only change the name on your Certificate of
Naturalization if you changed your name after you naturalized.

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General Instructions
USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS website. In order to view, print, or fill out our forms, you should
use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
Signature. Each application must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this application, USCIS will not
accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal
guardian may sign the application on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If
the request is not signed or if the requisite signature on the request is not valid, USCIS will reject the request. See 8 CFR
103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A). If USCIS accepts a request for adjudication and determines that it has a deficient signature, USCIS
will deny the request.

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Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of the original handwritten signature
valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten ink
signature.
Filing Fee. See Form G-1055, available at www.uscis.gov/forms, for specific information about the fees applicable to
this form.
Evidence. At the time of filing, you must submit all evidence and supporting documents listed in the Initial Evidence
section of these Instructions. For additional information, see the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part K, Certificates
of Citizenship and Naturalization at www.uscis.gov/policymanual.
Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide biometrics
(fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct
background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition. After USCIS receives your application and
ensures it is complete, we will inform you if you need to attend a biometric services appointment. If an appointment is
necessary, the notice will provide you the location of your local or designated USCIS Application Support Center (ASC)
and the date and time of your appointment or, if you are currently overseas, instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S.
Consulate, or USCIS office outside the United States to set up an appointment.
If you are required to provide biometrics, at your appointment you must sign an oath reaffirming that:
1. You provided or authorized all information in the application;

2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your application; and
3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you
must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during
processing of an application or petition. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to you after
USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when not required or requested by USCIS, your original documents may be
immediately destroyed after we receive them.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English
translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and
that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must include the
translator's signature, printed name, the signature date, and the translator's contact information.

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How To Fill Out Form N-565
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this application, use the space provided in Part 12. Additional
Information or attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number)
(if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer
refers; and sign and date each sheet.

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3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been
married and the question asks, “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A” unless otherwise
directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many
children do you have” or “How many times have you departed the United States”), type or print “None” unless
otherwise directed.
4. Part 8. Complete If Applying for a Special Certificate of Recognition as a Citizen of the United States to the
Government of a Foreign Country. Provide the information requested in Item Numbers 1. - 3. about the official of
a foreign country who has requested this certificate, if you know it.
NOTE: You do not need to complete Item Number 4. before you file Form N-565. The USCIS or consular official's
certification will be completed after USCIS adjudicates your Form N-565, if it is approved.
5. Part 9. Applicant's Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. Select the appropriate box to
indicate whether you read this application yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. If someone assisted
you in completing the application, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Further, you must sign and date
your application and provide your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if any), and email address (if
any). Every application MUST contain the signature of the applicant (or parent or legal guardian, if applicable). A
stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.
6. Part 10. Interpreter's Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. If you used anyone as an interpreter to
read the Instructions and questions on this application to you in a language in which you are fluent, the interpreter must
fill out this section; provide his or her name, the name and address of his or her business or organization (if any), his or
her daytime telephone number, his or her mobile telephone number (if any), and his or her email address (if any). The
interpreter must sign and date the application.
7. Part 11. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Application, if Other
Than the Applicant. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your application, if other
than you, the applicant. If the same individual acted as your interpreter and your preparer, that person should
complete both Part 10. and Part 11. If the person who completed this application is associated with a business or
organization, that person should complete the business or organization name and address information. Anyone who
helped you complete this application MUST sign and date the application. A stamped or typewritten name in place of
a signature is not acceptable. If the person who helped you prepare your application is an attorney or accredited
representative, he or she may also need to submit a completed Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney
or Accredited Representative, along with your application.
We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed application to review in the future and for your
records.

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Initial Evidence
1. Photographs. If you reside in the United States, USCIS may request that you attend an appointment at an ASC to
have your photograph taken. If you reside outside the United States, you must submit two identical color passportstyle photographs of yourself taken recently. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on
thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched.
The two identical color passport-style photos must be 2 by 2 inches. The photos must be in color with full face, frontal
view, on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to
the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from bottom of photo. Your
head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious denomination of which you are a
member. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photo.

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2. You must submit a copy of your U.S. Government-issued photo identification.

3. If your marital status has changed since your original document was issued, you must submit a copy of the document
establishing your change in marital status (such as your marriage certificate, divorce decree, annulment decree, or
spouse's death certificate).
4. If your document was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you must attach a copy of the document (if available), a police report,
and/or a sworn statement explaining what happened to the document and any attempts to retrieve the document.
5. If you are applying for replacement of a mutilated document, you must attach the original mutilated document.
6. If you are applying for replacement of a document that is incorrect due to a typographical or clerical error by USCIS,
you must attach the original incorrect document and complete Part 4. of Form N-565.
7. If you are applying for a new document because your name was changed, you must submit the original USCIS
document and a copy of either the original or certified document establishing the name change (such as a marriage
certificate, divorce decree, annulment decree, or court order), and complete Part 5. of Form N-565.
8. If you are applying for a new Certificate of Citizenship because your date of birth has legally changed, you must
submit the original USCIS document you are seeking to replace. You must also submit a copy of either the original or
certified document establishing the date of birth change (for example, a court order or vital record document issued by
the U.S. Government or the government of any U.S. state (“U.S. Government documents”)) and complete Part 6. of
Form N-565. U.S. Government documents may include a birth certificate, a certificate recognizing foreign birth, a
certificate of birth abroad, or other similar vital records issued by the U.S. state where you resided when the document
was issued. Only applicants applying for a new Certificate of Citizenship may select this option.
9. If you are applying for a new document that reflects a different gender than is shown on your current document, you
must submit the original USCIS document along with one of the forms of evidence listed below supporting the
requested official change in gender designation and complete Part 7. of Form N-565.
Submit one of the following forms of evidence supporting your requested official change in gender designation:
A. A court order granting change of sex or gender;
B. A government-issued document reflecting the requested gender designation. Acceptable government-issued
documents include an amended birth certificate, a passport, a driver's license, or other official document showing
identity issued by the U.S. Government, a state or local government in the United States, or a foreign government;
C. A letter from a licensed health care professional certifying the requested gender designation is consistent with your
gender identity. Licensed health care professionals include licensed counselors, nurse practitioners, physicians
(Medical Doctors or Doctors of Osteopathy), physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, and therapists.
The health care certification must include the following information:
(1) A court order granting change of sex or gender;

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(2) The health care professional's license number and issuing state, country, or other jurisdiction of the professional
license;
(3) Language stating the health care professional has treated or evaluated you in relation to your gender identity;
and
(4) The health care professional's assessment of your gender identity.

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10. If you are applying for a special certificate of naturalization to obtain recognition as a citizen of the United States by a
foreign country, you must attach a copy of your naturalization certificate.
NOTE: USCIS regulations require this special certificate when a foreign state requires proof of your citizenship for
any legitimate purpose, except for admission to the foreign country or in processing their own immigration benefit
requests.
11. If you are filing from overseas and provide a foreign mailing address, USCIS will send your new document (if
approved) to the nearest U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS field office. You will receive notification by mail
where to pick up your new document.

Where to File?

Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/N-565 or visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to
connect with a USCIS representative for the most current information about where to file this application. The USCIS
Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.

Processing Information

Rejection. USCIS will reject any application that is not signed or accompanied by the correct fee and will send you a
notice that the application is deficient. You may correct the deficiency and resubmit the application. An application is
not considered properly filed until the date that USCIS accepts it.
Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your application, we will check it for completeness. If you do not completely
fill out this application, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and USCIS may reject or deny your application.
Requests for More Information. We may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your
application. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If we request an original
document from you, it will be returned to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.
Decision. The decision on Form N-565 involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the
document you are requesting. If you establish eligibility for the document, USCIS will approve your application and issue
the document. Where appropriate, USCIS will forward a special Certificate of Naturalization to the U.S. Department of
State for delivery to a foreign government official. If your application is denied, USCIS will notify you of the decision in
writing.

USCIS Forms and Information
To ensure you are using the latest version of this application, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can
obtain the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information.
Please visit us at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to get basic information about immigration services and ask questions
about a pending case. Through our digital self-help tools and live assistance, the USCIS Contact Center provides a
pathway for you to get consistent, accurate information and answers to immigration case questions.

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Penalties
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form N-565, we
will deny your Form N-565 and may deny any other immigration benefit. In addition, you will face severe penalties
provided by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
By signing your application, you state under penalty of perjury (28 U.S.C. section 1746) that all information and
documentation submitted with this application is complete, true, and correct. You also authorize the release of any
information from your records that USCIS may need to determine your eligibility for the immigration benefit you are
seeking and consent to USCIS verifying such information.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the authority to verify any information you submit to establish eligibility
for the immigration benefit you are seeking at any time. USCIS' legal authority to verify this information is in 8 U.S.C.
sections 1103 and 1454 and 8 CFR parts 103 and 338. To ensure compliance with applicable laws and authorities, USCIS
may verify information before or after your case is decided.

DHS Privacy Notice

AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this application, and the associated evidence, is collected pursuant to
Immigration and Nationality Act Section 343(a).
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the information on this application is to request a replacement of your
Declaration of Intention, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Repatriation Certificate, or to apply for a
special certificate of naturalization as a U.S. citizen to be recognized by a foreign country. DHS will use the information
you provide to grant or deny the replacement document you are seeking.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information,
including your Social Security number (if applicable), and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in
denial of your application.
ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application and any additional requested
evidence with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows
approved routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS/ICE/CBP-001 Alien
File, Index, and National File Tracking System, DHS/USCIS-007 Benefits Information System, and DHS/USCIS-018
Immigration Biometric and Background Check] and published privacy impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA-016(a)
Computer Linked Application Information Management System and Associated Systems, and DHS/USCIS/PIA-056
USCIS Electronic Information System, and DHS/USCIS/PIA-071 myUSCIS Account Experience], which can be found at
www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share this information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the
interest of national security.

Paperwork Reduction Act
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public
reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 1.147 hour per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the application, preparing
statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the application. The collection of biometrics is estimated
to require 1 hour and 10 minutes. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of
Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs,
MD 20588-0009; OMB No. 1615-0091. Do not mail your completed Form N-565 to this address.

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