Reimbursement for Lost Naturalization Certificate

[Adventine 3,223]

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 May 1 by Adventine

[OldUser 9,022]

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 25,479]

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 3,223]

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

 

 

[Rekyrts 132]

On 5/1/2025 at 11:34 AM, 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. 

It's a timebound process: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/faqs.html
 

 

Contacting Us: If you have been waiting more than four weeks for your documents, call us at 1-877-487-2778 to report that you have not received your documents. 
 

If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document. 

 

 

[Adventine 3,223]

I'm glad I waited a couple of weeks before filing (and paying $555) for a replacement certificate.

 

My original certificate arrived today, 5/12/2025 via regular mail, with giant punctures throughout the document and envelope it came in. It was postmarked 2/14/2025.

 

I assume that the passport agency sent it back and it got chewed up by USPS's sorting machines.

 

I really dislike all the holes, but is there a reason I would need an intact certificate in the future? I don't plan on sponsoring anyone for an immigrant visa.

Edited Monday at 10:04 PM by Adventine

[OldUser 9,022]

11 minutes ago, Adventine said:

I really dislike all the holes, but is there a reason I would need an intact certificate in the future?

Only if whoever needs to see it will complain about condition of the NC.

 

And that may be:

- USCIS when petitioning somebody

- DOS when renewing passport

- SSA when claiming retirement

- Employer (some employers need proof other than US passport for security clearance)

Edited Monday at 10:13 PM by OldUser

[TBoneTX 47,002]

Unless you need a crisp copy per OldUser, or want one, you can sigh and try to put it out of your mind.

 

Another avenue would be to contact your Congressman's or Senator's office to see if they can get a fresh one for you without your having to pay.  I imagine they'd be happy to help.

[OldUser 9,022]

19 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Unless you need a crisp copy per OldUser, or want one, you can sigh and try to put it out of your mind.

 

Another avenue would be to contact your Congressman's or Senator's office to see if they can get a fresh one for you without your having to pay.  I imagine they'd be happy to help.

One way to approach this is not to do anything with it until somebody won't accept it in the future, which may or may not happen. The pros of this approach is potentially saving money. The cons are: NC will cost more to replace in the future. And you may need it quicker than you can replace it. Again, it depends on condition of current NC and risk tolerance.

[TBoneTX 47,002]

2 hours ago, OldUser said:

One way to approach this is not to do anything with it until somebody won't accept it in the future, which may or may not happen. The pros of this approach is potentially saving money. The cons are: NC will cost more to replace in the future. And you may need it quicker than you can replace it. Again, it depends on condition of current NC and risk tolerance.

Very much agreed.  To preclude an emergency, I think that it would do no harm, and might pay off, to contact the Congressman.  We rarely get what we don't ask for.