Travel after naturalization

[Chloraflora 14]

I'm sure this situation is totally unique but I'm putting it out there anyway.

 

I had my interview two Fridays ago, and my naturalization oath was scheduled for August 7th. At first I was like great! Just one more month and this is put to bed. Then I remembered I'm flying home for a vacation literally the day after. Generally I'm sure this would be just fine, but with naturalization I'm also changing my name & gender marker, so I'm worried about what issues this might cause at passport control, given the one I have will be in my old name.

 

Is it possible to get a passport same day? Should I take all my documents with me to prove who I am? Anything else? I really don't want to reschedule because that feels like suicide to me in this climate.

[CarlHamilton 252]

13 minutes ago, Chloraflora said:

I'm sure this situation is totally unique but I'm putting it out there anyway.

 

I had my interview two Fridays ago, and my naturalization oath was scheduled for August 7th. At first I was like great! Just one more month and this is put to bed. Then I remembered I'm flying home for a vacation literally the day after. Generally I'm sure this would be just fine, but with naturalization I'm also changing my name & gender marker, so I'm worried about what issues this might cause at passport control, given the one I have will be in my old name.

 

Is it possible to get a passport same day? Should I take all my documents with me to prove who I am? Anything else? I really don't want to reschedule because that feels like suicide to me in this climate.

Yes, you can get a passport the same day, but you have to make an appointment at a passport agency (google for details). 

[little immigrant 801]

1 hour ago, Chloraflora said:

Generally I'm sure this would be just fine, but with naturalization I'm also changing my name & gender marker, so I'm worried about what issues this might cause at passport control, given the one I have will be in my old name.

 

Is it possible to get a passport same day? Should I take all my documents with me to prove who I am? Anything else? I really don't want to reschedule because that feels like suicide to me in this climate.

Hi there and congratulations on your passed interview. 

 

So are you flying with your UK passport and plan to fly back with the US passport? I believe each ticket needs to reflect the name in the passport you're traveling with. If you have any court documents reflecting your name and gender change, bring them (or copies) with you too to be safe. 

 

I hope everything works out for your trip. 

[jan22 3,178]

What document would you use to re-enter the US if you don't get your US passpott?  You will no longer have your green card and you certainly won't get an ESTA approval t o enter as a tourist.  You need to get that US passport! 

[Chloraflora 14]

6 minutes ago, jan22 said:

What document would you use to re-enter the US if you don't get your US passpott?  You will no longer have your green card and you certainly won't get an ESTA approval t o enter as a tourist.  You need to get that US passport! 

I still have my UK passport...

[jan22 3,178]

You may want to take a look at this website, if you haven't already, to make sure you have all the documents ready when you do apply, so there won't be delays: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/gender.html. Good luck!

[jan22 3,178]

16 minutes ago, Chloraflora said:

I still have my UK passport...

But what wili you have to show proof you're authorized to go tothe US when you try to board the plane in the UK?  You won't have a visa, ESTA, or your green card.  And, by US law, US citizens need to use a US passport to enter the US.

Edited July 3, 2018 by jan22

[Chloraflora 14]

9 minutes ago, jan22 said:

But what wili you have to show proof you're authorized to go tothe US when you try to board the plane in the UK?  You won't have a visa, ESTA, or your green card.  And, by US law, US citizens need to use a US passport to enter the US.

 

Then I guess I'm hanging on the passport agency being able to get me a passport same day *sigh* They literally couldn't have scheduled it for a worse date

[little immigrant 801]

55 minutes ago, Chloraflora said:

 

Then I guess I'm hanging on the passport agency being able to get me a passport same day *sigh* They literally couldn't have scheduled it for a worse date

Would you be willing to reschedule it if you'd have to? I know you said you don't want that but is it worth all the trouble with maybe not being able to enter the US with a passport?

 

@jan22 your link isn't working for me 

[CarlHamilton 252]

Whatever you do, don't reschedule. Your case has gone through so fast, you shouldn't risk derailing it.

[Chloraflora 14]

I called the passport agency, and they were pretty non-committal about getting a passport same day, they said they'd "try to accommodate" me. Just in case, I made an appointment to go to my local USCIS field office on Friday for a little chat. Like you said, I reeeeeeeeeally don't want to reschedule

[CarlHamilton 252]

Just now, Chloraflora said:

I called the passport agency, and they were pretty non-committal about getting a passport same day, they said they'd "try to accommodate" me. Just in case, I made an appointment to go to my local USCIS field office on Friday for a little chat. Like you said, I reeeeeeeeeally don't want to reschedule

You could also push back your flight by a couple of days.  It will cost you some, but it may be worth it.

[jan22 3,178]

9 hours ago, little immigrant said:

Would you be willing to reschedule it if you'd have to? I know you said you don't want that but is it worth all the trouble with maybe not being able to enter the US with a passport?

 

@jan22 your link isn't working for me 

Sorry -- don't know why not.  Go to travel.state.gov and click on the "U.S. Passports" tab at the top and look at the "Apply for or Renew My Passport".  There will be a drop-down menu that includes "Gender Designation Change" 

[Alabamak1 688]

@Chloraflora if you mean expediting your US passport in like 24 hours? Good luck. You need to send in your naturalization certificate (original one) to get your first passport. I am not sure that the passport will be issued in less than 10 days, as it was for me. Same day, i don't think so. 

[Alabamak1 688]

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/hurry.html  this is from the state department itself.