Applying for a US Passport after the Oath Ceremony

[itsy_bitsy 8]

Do they offer passport application service where you take your oath ceremony? Sorry if this is a silly question but do you need to apply for both the passport book and the passport card? Or is the passport book all you need for any type of travel outside the US?

[JohnR! 5,495]

Do they offer passport application service where you take your oath ceremony? Sorry if this is a silly question but do you need to apply for both the passport book and the passport card? Or is the passport book all you need for any type of travel outside the US?

For a US passport you will need to take your Certificate of Naturalization to an accredited USPS and fill out the application for a passport, in person. Your US passport is all you will need to travel abroad, as far as the US is concerned. You may need visas and vaccinations depending on your destination, but that's another story....

[RobertFrosted 2]

Do they offer passport application service where you take your oath ceremony? Sorry if this is a silly question but do you need to apply for both the passport book and the passport card? Or is the passport book all you need for any type of travel outside the US?

Don't get the card as it is not recognized in many countries as a viable passport. The card is only for certain activities and countries like taking a cruise from the United States. If you aren't taking a cruise, you need to get the passport book.

Edited June 22, 2012 by mclfxr

[sunshine_84 11]

Do they offer passport application service where you take your oath ceremony? Sorry if this is a silly question but do you need to apply for both the passport book and the passport card? Or is the passport book all you need for any type of travel outside the US?

To apply for passport, bring your Naturalization Certificate to local USPS which has passport processing service available. Some do require an appointment, so check with your local USPS before going there.

AFAIK about US passport card, it works only if you are traveling out of country by road/ocean to countries like Canada, Mexico etc.

All other countries do require US passport book, so no need to waste money on getting US passport card.

[itsy_bitsy 8]

Thank you everyone for your reply!

[beejay 125]

They had the passport forms available at our oath ceremony and had people there if you needed help to fill it out. However you would still have to take the application to a passport office (most post offices accept passport applications during certain times). You will need to send your nationalization certificate with you application so make sure you make a copy or ask someone at the post office to copy it for you if you heading directly from your oath ceremony.

Here is the travel.state.gov link on applying for passports. It talks about what you need to apply and includes a version of the form you will need to fill out. You can print it yourself or (probably) get a copy at your oath ceremony or at your post office. There is a tiny section at the top of the form where you can check whether you are applying for a passport book or passport card or both. I think there is also a link to find passport office in your area.

Congrats!

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

Not sure, but I think the Los Angeles oath ceremony is the only place I've heard of that accepts passport applications at the ceremony. They set up a small USPS-run station behind the stage for people to file their applications.

Did anyone else have a USPS station at their oath ceremony outside of L.A.?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It varies greatly. Some places do have passport applications available some don't (mine didn't). Some have representatives of the SSA there to update SSN; some don't (mine didn't).

I would suggest you get your SSN updated before you apply for your passport as you will need your certificate for that. That will get the ball rolling for things like updating Driver's Licenses and such. You will probably receive a new SSN card (I did).

Then, make copies of the certificate for yourself and apply for your passport. You will need to send off the original certificate so that is why you should make copies before hand.

You need the passport book to travel by air internationally. You can also use the passport card to travel across land and water borders to neighbouring countries since as Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. If you have concerns about having to prove your US citizenship, you can also carry the passport card (it is wallet sized) as very useful proof of your US citizenship.

For me, I have found it useful to have both the passport book and the passport card, but your requirements may differ. You can apply for the passport book with or without the card, but you can't apply for the card unless you are also applying for the book or already have a US passport book..

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I would suggest you get your SSN updated before you apply for your passport as you will need your certificate for that. That will get the ball rolling for things like updating Driver's Licenses and such. You will probably receive a new SSN card (I did).

Interesting thing about the DL and SS card we found--

Original SS card was issued "Joe Smith" because that's how the (K1) I-94 was filled out. They said the name had to be exactly the same so they could not put the middle name. (The I-94 only has blanks for first and last name.)

Driver's license was issued "Joe R Smith" because they had to take the name exactly from the greencard used to prove US residency.

Fast forward to after citizenship oath--

The DL and SS card were re-issued "Joe Robert Smith" because both offices said the name had to match the naturalization certificate. So we found it was more than updating status as a citizen. It also involved them doing a name change in their records and issuing new cards.

[warlord 73]

Ours had the passport section after the oath. However, it was still a hell of a lot quicker to get the SSN done and go to the Post Office than wait at the oath ceremony to file for the passport (since everyone was there trying to do it at the same time). There was no wait at the post office...

[ConcordUser 18]

They offered the passport service when I took my Oath at the same place. I have a feeling most likely they will offer at your oath ceremony also.

[itsy_bitsy 8]

Sorry but I don't get the need for updating the SSN. I mean, did some of you guys use different names (ie, omitting your middle name when you first applied for SSN)? I've always used my first name, maiden name as my middle name, and my husband's last name. For instance, I was Maria Lopez when I was still single. When I got married, I used the name Maria Lopez Smith on all applications: K1, SSN, green card, and N400. So both on my SSN and naturalization certificate, it's Maria Lopez Smith.

[NW Mushroom 5]

Sorry but I don't get the need for updating the SSN. I mean, did some of you guys use different names (ie, omitting your middle name when you first applied for SSN)? I've always used my first name, maiden name as my middle name, and my husband's last name. For instance, I was Maria Lopez when I was still single. When I got married, I used the name Maria Lopez Smith on all applications: K1, SSN, green card, and N400. So both on my SSN and naturalization certificate, it's Maria Lopez Smith.

You should update your status with Social Security as soon as you become a citizen since you are now entitled to full social security benefits.

[itsy_bitsy 8]

You should update your status with Social Security as soon as you become a citizen since you are now entitled to full social security benefits.

Thanks for the info. Does it have to be done in person?

Edited July 16, 2012 by itsy_bitsy

[Dave&Roza 748]

Thanks for the info. Does it have to be done in person?

Depends on how you feel about giving up your naturalization certificate. If you would rather not mail it to the SSA and then hope they return it then going in person is the best bet. If you are willing to mail in the naturalization certificate then you can do so. It is all about your comfort level with the SSA and the USPS.

Dave

Edited July 16, 2012 by Dave&Roza