Reimbursement for Lost Naturalization Certificate

[Adventine 3,220]

Starting a new thread to document this minor but expensive annoyance.

 

I understand that there can be delays in getting back my naturalization certificate, but I applied in January 2025. It's now May and I still haven't received it. 

 

My timeline:

 

• Jan. 27, 2025: applied at USPS for a passport book and card. The employee took my original certificate of naturalization. Paid for expedited processing
• Jan. 30, 2025: Dept of State confirms receiving my passport application
• Feb. 6, 2025: received my passport book in the mail
• Feb. 12, 2025: received my passport card
• Mar. 31 / Apr. 14 / May 1, 2025: called the National Passport Information Center to follow up my naturalization certificate. Finally, on May 1, they confirmed they couldn't find it and sent me instructions to get reimbursed.

 

 

Now I have to file USCIS Form N-565 to get a replacement certificate, pay $555 and file another set of documents for DOS to reimburse me.

 

Edited Thursday at 05:30 PM by Adventine

[OldUser 8,875]

I'm really sorry this happened to you! Please keep us updated

[am2352 39]

31 minutes ago, Adventine said:

Starting a new thread to document this minor but expensive annoyance.

 

I understand that there can be delays in getting back my naturalization certificate, but I applied in January 2025. It's now May and I still haven't received it. 

 

My timeline:

 

• Jan. 27, 2025: applied at USPS for a passport book and card. The employee took my original certificate of naturalization. Paid for expedited processing
• Jan. 30, 2025: Dept of State confirms receiving my passport application
• Feb. 6, 2025: received my passport book in the mail
• Feb. 12, 2025: received my passport card
• Mar. 31 / Apr. 14 / May 1, 2025: called the National Passport Information Center to follow up my naturalization certificate. Finally, on May 1, they confirmed they couldn't find it and sent me instructions to get reimbursed.

 

 

Now I have to file USCIS Form N-656 to get a replacement certificate, pay $555 and file another set of documents for DOS to reimburse me.

 

Would you mind sharing the instructions to get reimbursed? I didn't know there was a provision to get reimbursed. Might be useful for the community. This whole process of mailing the naturalization certification for which one has spent months, only to lose it because of a bureaucratic process, is so sad. 

[Dashinka 25,394]

1 hour ago, Adventine said:

Starting a new thread to document this minor but expensive annoyance.

 

I understand that there can be delays in getting back my naturalization certificate, but I applied in January 2025. It's now May and I still haven't received it. 

 

My timeline:

 

• Jan. 27, 2025: applied at USPS for a passport book and card. The employee took my original certificate of naturalization. Paid for expedited processing
• Jan. 30, 2025: Dept of State confirms receiving my passport application
• Feb. 6, 2025: received my passport book in the mail
• Feb. 12, 2025: received my passport card
• Mar. 31 / Apr. 14 / May 1, 2025: called the National Passport Information Center to follow up my naturalization certificate. Finally, on May 1, they confirmed they couldn't find it and sent me instructions to get reimbursed.

 

 

Now I have to file USCIS Form N-656 to get a replacement certificate, pay $555 and file another set of documents for DOS to reimburse me.

 

The link is correct, but just to clarify, it is form N-565.

 

Good Luck with getting reimbursed for a new one.

[Adventine 3,220]

55 minutes ago, am2352 said:

Would you mind sharing the instructions to get reimbursed? I didn't know there was a provision to get reimbursed. Might be useful for the community. This whole process of mailing the naturalization certification for which one has spent months, only to lose it because of a bureaucratic process, is so sad. 

 

This is the email:

 

Thank you for contacting the National Passport Information Center regarding the non-receipt of your supporting documents.

To request a reimbursement please submit the following by mail:

1. A letter or statement with the following information:
Applicant's Name
Passport Number
Description of the Incident
Reason for the requested reimbursement

2. A photocopy of the receipt(s) showing you have applied for the missing document(s)

Mailing Address for Issuing Agency:
U.S. Department of State
National Passport Center
44132 Mercure Circle
PO Box 1108
Sterling, VA 20166-1108