Form N-565 guide: Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document
Form N-565's official title is Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, and it is handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is used to replace or correct citizenship documents issued by USCIS (or its predecessor, the INS), mainly the Certificate of Naturalization and the Certificate of Citizenship, and also the Declaration of Intention and the Repatriation Certificate. Naturalized citizens can also use it to apply for a "special certificate of naturalization" for recognition by a foreign government.
Form N-565 comes after naturalization or acquisition of citizenship: your citizenship is already established, and the document has simply been lost, damaged, needs updated information, or USCIS made a typo on the certificate. Filing Form N-565 does not re-examine your eligibility for citizenship, but USCIS will verify your reason for filing and your evidence.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official title | Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document |
| Agency | USCIS |
| Who files | The holder of the Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention or Repatriation Certificate |
| When to file | When the document is lost, destroyed, needs updating, or you discover a USCIS error; there is no legal deadline |
| How to file | Online through a USCIS online account, or by mailing a paper form; follow the official page |
| Common companion forms | G-28 (attorney representation), G-1145 (e-notification); if eligible, I-912 to request a fee waiver |
| Official page | uscis.gov/n-565 |
Who can file: qualifying situations
Under the current form instructions, a holder of one of the documents above may file Form N-565 in any of these situations:
- Lost, stolen, or destroyed;
- Mutilated, for example badly torn, water-damaged or illegible;
- A USCIS typographical or clerical error: the information on the certificate does not match what you confirmed in your application and interview, and the error was made by USCIS;
- Legal name change: after the certificate was issued, you legally changed your name through marriage, divorce, annulment or court order, and want the certificate to show the new name;
- Sex marker: the sex on the document differs from your sex at birth, and you are requesting a document showing your sex at birth (see "Recent changes" below);
- Change of date of birth (Certificate of Citizenship holders only): your date of birth was changed by court order or by a document issued by the U.S. federal or a state government.
In addition, naturalized U.S. citizens may apply for a special certificate of naturalization to prove their U.S. citizenship to a foreign government for recognition by that country. It applies where a foreign government requires proof of citizenship for a legitimate purpose.
Situations where it does not apply or needs care
- Information you got wrong yourself and confirmed under oath at the interview cannot be corrected with Form N-565. For example, if your date of birth was wrong on your N-400 and you confirmed it at the interview, that is not a USCIS error.
- The date of birth on a Certificate of Naturalization generally cannot be changed by a later court order. Under the form instructions, requests to change the date of birth based on a court order or government document are available only to holders of a Certificate of Citizenship.
- A name change applies only to legal name changes that occurred after the certificate was issued. A name change made before naturalization should have been handled in the naturalization process.
- If you do not yet have any proof of citizenship and are applying for the first time, use Form N-600 (citizenship through parents); green card holders who have not naturalized use Form N-400. To replace a green card, use Form I-90.
- If you only need to travel abroad or prove citizenship, a valid U.S. passport is usually enough, and you may not need to replace the certificate.
Legal basis
The issuance, replacement and correction of Certificates of Naturalization and Certificates of Citizenship are governed mainly by section 343 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and 8 CFR part 338 (certificates of naturalization, including 338.5 on corrections), part 343a (replacement and name changes), and part 343b (special certificates of naturalization). USCIS's standards for certificates are in Volume 12, Part K of the Policy Manual (Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization).
A special reminder: Certificates of Naturalization are protected by federal law and may not be copied for unlawful purposes. If the original is lost, do not use a copy as though it were the original; when you need to prove citizenship, you can use a U.S. passport.
Tips for each part of the form
Form N-565 is not long, but which parts you complete depends on your reason for filing. The notes below follow the structure of the current edition; use the numbering in the edition you download:
- Information about you: your current legal name, A-Number, date of birth, and contact information and address. If your name has changed, also give the name shown on the certificate.
- Type of application: check your reason for filing (lost / mutilated / USCIS error / name change / sex / date of birth / special certificate of naturalization). The reason determines the evidence you need, and choosing the wrong one can lead to an RFE or a denial.
- Original document information: the certificate number, date and place of issuance, and the name on the certificate. If the certificate is lost and you do not remember the number, try to find it on old copies, passport application records and the like; if you truly cannot provide it, say so truthfully.
- USCIS error: in the dedicated section, state which item on the certificate is wrong, what the correct information is, and the basis for the correct information (for example, your birth certificate, passport, or what you entered on Form N-400).
- Name change: in the dedicated section, give your names before and after the change and the basis for the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order changing your name).
- Sex: complete the dedicated section of the form and attach your birth certificate.
- Special certificate of naturalization: give information about the foreign government that needs to recognize your citizenship and the relevant official (if known).
- Signature: the applicant must sign personally; unsigned applications are rejected.
Common mistakes: confusing "lost" with "mutilated" (a mutilated certificate must be returned); failing to attach the original certificate in a USCIS error request; treating a spelling difference that existed before naturalization as a USCIS error; and romanized Chinese names that do not match your passport or Social Security card.
Evidence and supporting documents
| Reason for filing | Documents usually needed |
|---|---|
| Lost, stolen, destroyed | A copy of the original document (if available); a police report and / or sworn statement explaining how it was lost and your efforts to recover it |
| Mutilated | The mutilated original document |
| USCIS error | The original document containing the error; documents proving the correct information |
| Legal name change | The original document; a copy of proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order changing your name |
| Sex | The original document; a copy of a birth certificate showing your sex at birth |
| Change of date of birth (Certificate of Citizenship only) | The original document; the court order or U.S. government record of the date of birth change |
| Special certificate of naturalization | A copy of your Certificate of Naturalization; information about the foreign government |
General documents:
- A copy of a U.S. government-issued photo ID (such as a U.S. passport or driver's license);
- Photos: under the current instructions on the official page, applicants living outside the U.S. must submit two identical passport-style photos with the form; applicants living in the U.S. generally have their photo taken at the biometrics appointment. Follow the current edition's instructions;
- Documents not in English (for example, a Chinese marriage certificate, divorce certificate or notarial certificate) need a complete English translation and a translator's certification; see Translation requirements for immigration applications.
About originals: under the form instructions, you must return the original document for mutilation, USCIS error, name change, sex and date of birth requests; for lost documents, a copy or an explanation is enough. Do not send originals USCIS has not asked for.
How to file and fees
You can file Form N-565 online or mail a paper form to the address listed on the official page. If you file online and need to submit the original document afterward, send it as USCIS instructs.
This page does not list specific amounts. The current filing fee is as shown in the USCIS fee schedule G-1055 and on the official N-565 page. Under the current fee rules (8 CFR 106.2, citing 8 CFR 338.5(a)), no filing fee is required when you request correction of an error in the certificate itself (for example, a mismatch with the application record or a clerical error when the certificate was prepared); verify this on the official fee page before filing. In other situations, if you qualify, you can request a fee waiver with Form I-912. See also How to check U.S. immigration fees and processing times.
What happens after you file
- Receipt notice: confirms your case has been accepted.
- Biometrics: USCIS may require fingerprints, a photo and a signature. At the appointment, you confirm that the information you submitted is true and complete. Missing the appointment without good reason can lead to a denial.
- RFE or interview: if the evidence is insufficient, you may receive a request for evidence (see What to do when you receive an RFE); USCIS may also require an interview.
- Result: after approval, a new certificate is issued. A special certificate of naturalization is authenticated by USCIS or a consular officer.
For processing times, check the official USCIS processing times; for case status, see How to check your USCIS case status. If you need to travel abroad while waiting, you can apply for or use a U.S. passport; there is no need to wait for the new certificate.
Recent changes
- Sex marker: starting in 2025, USCIS changed its policy under a presidential executive order: it recognizes only two sexes, male (M) and female (F), issues documents showing the applicant's sex at birth, and no longer issues documents that differ from the sex at birth; the N-565 form instructions were revised accordingly. As a result, the "sex" reason on Form N-565 is currently used to request a change to the sex at birth, not to a sex different from the one at birth. This policy has been affected by litigation and later adjustments; verify the latest rules before filing.
- Form edition: USCIS has updated the Form N-565 edition in recent years; before filing, download the currently accepted edition from the official page.
Common reasons for denial, and options after a denial
- The reason for filing is outside what can be corrected, for example asking to correct information you entered incorrectly on Form N-400 and confirmed under oath;
- A name change or date of birth change is not supported by qualifying legal documents;
- For a lost document, you cannot explain how it was lost, or your identity information does not match USCIS records;
- You did not attend biometrics or did not respond to an RFE.
Options after a denial: you can usually file an appeal or motion on Form I-290B as described in the denial notice (follow the remedies and deadlines stated in the notice); you can also refile once you have the necessary evidence.
Form N-565 compared with similar forms
| Form | Purpose | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| N-565 | Replace or correct a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship | U.S. citizens who already hold one of those documents |
| N-600 | First-time application for a Certificate of Citizenship | People who acquired citizenship through parents and have no proof yet |
| I-90 | Replace or renew a green card | Permanent residents |
| U.S. passport application (Department of State) | Travel document that also proves citizenship | U.S. citizens |
Frequently asked questions
I lost my Certificate of Naturalization. Does that affect my citizenship?
No. You do not lose citizenship because a certificate is lost. The certificate is only proof; you can prove your status with a U.S. passport, or replace the certificate with Form N-565.
I already have a U.S. passport. Do I still need to replace my Certificate of Naturalization?
Not necessarily. A valid U.S. passport is itself proof of citizenship. But passports expire, and having the Certificate of Naturalization makes later renewals and certain other matters easier. Whether to replace it depends on your own needs.
I changed my last name after marriage. Do I have to change my Certificate of Naturalization?
The law does not require it. Many people use their marriage certificate together with their Certificate of Naturalization to show the name change. If you want the certificate to show your new name, you can apply with Form N-565.
My name is misspelled on the certificate. Is there a fee to correct it?
If the error was made by USCIS (the certificate does not match the information you confirmed in your application and interview), no filing fee is required under the current fee rules (check the official fee schedule), but you must attach the original certificate and proof of the correct information. If you entered it incorrectly in your own application, it is not a USCIS error.
My date of birth was wrong when I naturalized. Can I change it with a court order?
Under the current form instructions, requests to change the date of birth based on a court order are available only to holders of a Certificate of Citizenship. If the date of birth on your Certificate of Naturalization was entered and confirmed by you, it generally cannot be changed through Form N-565; we recommend consulting an attorney to assess other options.
Why would I apply for a special certificate of naturalization?
Some countries require authenticated proof of U.S. citizenship when handling matters related to your former nationality. The special certificate of naturalization is issued so that a foreign government can recognize your U.S. citizenship.
Official sources
- USCIS: Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part K: Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization
- USCIS fee schedule G-1055
- USCIS processing times
Related reading
- Form N-400 guide: Application for Naturalization
- Form N-600 guide: Application for Certificate of Citizenship
- Form I-90: replacing or renewing a green card
- Translation requirements for immigration applications
An error on your certificate, a name change, or trouble getting a replacement? Book an attorney consultation. We'll help you work out which situation applies and what evidence to prepare.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Laws and policies can change; rely on the latest official information and on an attorney's advice for your specific situation.