Losing a citizenship document can be stressful, but the right replacement process depends on what the document was and how U.S. citizenship was acquired. A lost naturalization certificate, U.S. passport, birth certificate, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad each has a different issuing agency and application process. The first step is to identify the missing record and determine whether another document can serve as proof while a replacement is obtained.
Meta description: Learn how to replace lost U.S. citizenship papers, including naturalization certificates, citizenship certificates, passports, birth certificates, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.
Identify Which Citizenship Document Was Lost
“Citizenship papers” can refer to several different records. The replacement procedure depends on which one is missing, so check old files, scanned copies, and application records before filing. Common documents include:
- Certificate of Naturalization: Issued to a person who became a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process.
- Certificate of Citizenship: Issued to someone who acquired or derived U.S. citizenship under applicable law, often through a U.S. citizen parent.
- U.S. passport or passport card: Issued by the U.S. Department of State and accepted as evidence of citizenship.
- U.S. birth certificate: Usually issued by a state, county, city, or territory for someone born in the United States.
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA): Issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate to document the overseas birth of a child who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth.
These records are not interchangeable for every purpose. For example, replacing a passport does not replace a Certificate of Naturalization, and replacing a U.S. birth certificate is generally handled by a vital records office—not U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Check Whether Another Document Can Serve as Proof
A lost certificate does not necessarily mean citizenship has been lost. A U.S. citizen remains a citizen unless citizenship is formally relinquished under applicable law. The immediate issue is usually how to document citizenship for a passport application, employment form, benefit, or other transaction.
A valid U.S. passport is strong evidence of citizenship and may be enough for many purposes. A passport card can also document citizenship, though it cannot be used for international air travel. A certified U.S. birth certificate or an existing citizenship certificate may also be useful, depending on the situation and the agency requesting proof.
Before ordering a replacement, ask the organization requesting evidence which documents it accepts. Do not send an original citizenship certificate unless the agency specifically requires it. Keep copies of any documents submitted and use a trackable delivery method when mailing sensitive records.
Replace a Lost Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate
USCIS handles replacement requests for Certificates of Naturalization and Certificates of Citizenship. The usual application is Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document. It is generally used when an eligible document was lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, or when certain corrections or updates are requested.
How to apply with Form N-565
- Confirm that N-565 applies. Review the current USCIS form instructions and eligibility rules. The form is for replacing specified USCIS-issued documents, not passports or state-issued birth certificates.
- Gather identifying information. The application asks for details such as the applicant’s name, date and place of birth, A-number if known, and information about the original certificate.
- Explain what happened. State whether the document was lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed. Provide any supporting evidence requested by the current instructions.
- Submit the application and required fee. USCIS may offer online filing for eligible applicants, while paper filing may also be available. Check the current form page for the correct filing method, fee, address, and required supporting documents.
- Monitor the case. Keep the receipt notice, check case status through USCIS, and respond promptly if USCIS requests evidence or schedules an appointment.
USCIS fees and filing procedures can change. Applicants should use the current USCIS Form N-565 page rather than relying on an old copy, third-party fee chart, or mailing address. If a fee waiver or reduced fee may apply, review the current USCIS rules before filing; eligibility depends on the circumstances and the form instructions.
Replacing a certificate can take time. Processing estimates vary and are not guarantees. A pending N-565 application does not itself function as a citizenship certificate, so applicants with an urgent travel or identification need should check whether a passport or another acceptable record can meet that need.
Replace a Lost U.S. Passport
The Department of State—not USCIS—issues U.S. passports. If a passport is lost or stolen, report it promptly. The State Department explains how to report a missing passport online or by submitting the appropriate form. Reporting it invalidates the passport, which helps prevent someone else from using it; once reported, it generally cannot be used even if it is later found.
After reporting the loss, apply for a replacement passport. In many cases, a person whose passport was lost or stolen must apply in person using Form DS-11 and provide evidence of U.S. citizenship, identity, a passport photo, and the applicable fees. The precise requirements depend on the applicant’s age and circumstances. A previously issued passport may help document identity or citizenship, but a photocopy is not always accepted as the required citizenship evidence.
For urgent international travel, contact the State Department or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, as appropriate. Expedited services may be available in qualifying situations, but appointment availability and processing times vary. The official lost or stolen passport instructions explain current reporting and replacement steps.
If the missing passport is found after it has been reported, do not attempt to travel with it. Follow the State Department’s instructions for handling an invalid passport. If the passport may have been stolen, keep a record of the report and consider notifying local law enforcement, particularly if identity documents or other personal information were taken with it.
Get a Replacement U.S. Birth Certificate
People born in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory generally request a certified copy from the vital records office where the birth occurred. The federal government does not keep a central collection of ordinary U.S. birth certificates. Each jurisdiction sets its own application rules, identification requirements, fees, and processing times.
Start with the official state or local vital records website. Applicants commonly need to provide the person’s full name at birth, date and place of birth, parents’ names, a mailing address, and proof of identity. Some jurisdictions limit who may request a certified copy, particularly for recent births. Use an official government website to avoid paying an unofficial service unnecessarily.
A hospital keeps birth-related records, but a hospital-issued souvenir or keepsake document is usually not a certified birth certificate. For citizenship or passport purposes, the receiving agency may require a certified copy that meets specific standards. Check those standards before ordering.
Replace a Consular Report of Birth Abroad
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad documents that a person born outside the United States acquired U.S. citizenship at birth under the law that applied at the time. The Department of State issues replacement copies; USCIS does not replace a CRBA.
Use the State Department’s current instructions for requesting a replacement. The process generally involves submitting Form DS-5542, providing identifying details and supporting documentation, and paying the applicable fee. The applicant may need to provide a copy of government-issued identification and information about the original report. Requirements can vary, so consult the official birth abroad and CRBA guidance before applying.
A CRBA is not a passport and does not replace one for travel. If the person needs to travel, they must separately apply for a passport or other appropriate travel document. A replacement CRBA request and a passport application are different procedures, even though both may involve proof of citizenship.
What to Do If the Original Was Stolen or Damaged
If a citizenship document was stolen, report the theft to local police when appropriate and keep a copy of the report. A police report can help explain the circumstances to the issuing agency, although it does not replace the required application or proof. Report a stolen passport to the State Department promptly because the document can be canceled.
For a damaged certificate or passport, follow the issuing agency’s instructions about submitting the damaged document. Do not attempt to repair, laminate, or alter an official document. Alterations can make it unacceptable as evidence. Take clear photographs of the damage for personal records before mailing the original, if the instructions require it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Filing with the wrong agency: USCIS replaces certain naturalization and citizenship certificates; the State Department handles passports and CRBAs; local vital records offices handle most U.S. birth certificates.
- Using an outdated form or fee: Download forms and instructions directly from the responsible agency on the day of filing.
- Assuming a photocopy is an official replacement: A copy may help with an application, but it usually does not have the same status as a certified or reissued document.
- Sending original records without checking requirements: Follow the application instructions and retain copies. Some agencies require originals, while others request copies or specific certified records.
- Paying an unofficial website without checking the government option: Third-party services may charge extra. Confirm whether the issuing agency accepts direct applications.
- Waiting until travel is imminent: Replacement processing and appointments can take time. Start early and check current processing guidance.
Protect Personal Information While Replacing Documents
Citizenship records contain sensitive personal information. Apply through an official government website, verify the web address, and avoid sending documents through links in unexpected emails or text messages. Government agencies do not need an applicant to pay an unfamiliar person through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to release a replacement certificate.
Store digital copies in a secure location and keep paper documents in a protected place. A copy can make it easier to identify a document and complete a replacement application, but it should not be treated as a substitute for the original when an agency requires official evidence. If a passport or identity documents were stolen with financial information, monitor accounts and follow guidance from relevant government agencies.
Where to Find Official Replacement Instructions
For a USCIS-issued certificate, use the USCIS N-565 page. For a lost passport, use the Department of State passport guidance. For a U.S. birth certificate, locate the vital records office for the state or territory of birth. For a CRBA, consult the State Department’s birth abroad guidance.
The most reliable first step is to identify the issuing agency and confirm its current instructions. That prevents delays caused by sending the wrong form, fee, or evidence, and helps applicants choose the appropriate proof of citizenship for their immediate needs.