If you were sworn in as a new U.S. citizen but then notice a mistake on your certificate of naturalization, don't ignore it. You might need to use your certificate in the future, for example as proof of your citizenship status to sponsor a foreign-born family member for U.S. lawful permanent residence (a green card). The good news is, you can order a new certificate. The only way this is going to be free, however, is if United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was responsible for making the mistake in the first place (unless you qualify for a fee waiver).
Here, we will discuss how to get USCIS to correct the mistake on your naturalization certificate, including:
- what USCIS form to fill out, and
- figuring out whether you owe the application fee or not.
Which USCIS Form to Use to Request a New Certificate of Naturalization
The USCIS form for requesting a new certificate of naturalization is called N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document.
Filling Out Form N-565
Most of the questions are self-explanatory, but we'll offer a few important tips here.
Form N-565 is used for several different purposes, so you’ll have to check box 1.b in Part 3 to let USCIS know you are applying for a new certificate of naturalization. (The instructions in this article refer to the 01/27/2025 version of the form.)
USCIS also needs to know the reasons why you are applying for a new certificate of naturalization ("Basis for My Application"). You will need to check at least one box (or maybe more, depending on your situation) in Part 3.
Documents to Accompany Form N-565
Be sure to read the N-565 instructions carefully regarding what else to add to the packet and how to submit it to USCIS. Most everyone will need to attend to the following:
- Copy of photo ID issued by a United States government body. This could be a driver's license or old immigration travel document, for example.
- Photographs. People living overseas who file an N-565 form must send two passport-style photos along with it. It's best to go to a professional service to take these photos, as the technical requirements are strict. If you are in the United States, you need not send photos, but USCIS might call you in to an Application Support Center (ASC) to have photos taken for the new certificate.
- Evidence of any change of marital status. If your marital status has changed since your citizenship interview, you must submit a copy of your most recent marriage certificate, divorce decree, or spouse’s death certificate.
- Copy of police report, if your certificate was stolen and you reported it (which is a good idea) plus your personal declaration explaining what happened.
- Court order or other proof of name change, if that's the correction you're seeking.
- Birth certificate, if you are correcting your gender to that assigned you at birth.
We will also discuss and remind you about documents that will be needed in particular situations concerning whether you owe a fee, below.
If USCIS Made the Mistake on Your Naturalization Certificate
If you are sure the mistake on your certificate of naturalization is USCIS’s fault, go to Part 4 of Form N-565 and check the box indicating why. Send the incorrect certificate (the original, not a copy) back to USCIS along with the N-565. You will also have to send proof of USCIS’s mistake with your N-565.
For example, let’s say your certificate of naturalization has your name spelled incorrectly. When you filled out your N-400 Application for Naturalization, you spelled your name correctly and you sent USCIS your birth certificate showing the correct spelling of your name. When you send in your N-565, you should send a copy of your N-400 (if you kept a copy) along with a copy of your birth certificate.
If USCIS made the mistake, you do not need to include any filing fee with your submission of the Form N-565.
If You Provided Wrong Information That Caused the Mistake on Your Naturalization Certificate
It’s not likely that you knowingly gave USCIS an incorrect name or date of birth when you applied for U.S. citizenship, but you didn’t catch that type of mistake before swearing to the facts of your application at the interview, you’re out of luck. In that case, your certificate of naturalization is always going to have the name and birth date information you gave USCIS when you applied. However, if you later change your name legally, you can request a new certificate.
As of 2025, USCIS will no longer recognize a legal gender change and issue a new naturalization certificate accordingly. Per Trump administration policy, the agency recognizes only "male" and "female" gender possibilities, and expects all your immigration paperwork to conform to the sex you were assigned at birth. If that was listed incorrectly, however, you can check box 2.f in Part 3, then check the "sex" box in Part 4 and also fill out Part 7. USCIS will issue a new naturalization certificate reflecting your sex at birth if you provide the appropriate evidence as listed in its N-565 instructions.
If you realize you gave USCIS some other type of wrong information when you applied for U.S. citizenship and your certificate of naturalization is wrong as a result, you will definitely have to pay the filing fee when you send your N-565 ($555 for paper filing and $505 for online filing as of 2025). The alternative is to apply for a fee waiver, if you qualify because of low income, using USCIS Form I-912.
Check box 2.g in Part 3 of the N-565 and explain your mistake in the space provided. You will also have to send any documents that prove the correct information, along with the original incorrect naturalization certificate.
Do You a Lawyer to Help Get a Replacement Certificate?
Getting a new naturalization certificate is normally something many people can successfully do on their own. However, if issues arise, or if USCIS refuses to accept the evidence you provide, it can be well worth the time and expense to hire an experienced immigration attorney to handle the paperwork and to communicate with USCIS.