Chapter 4: Replacement of Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization

In general, an applicant submits to USCIS an Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (Form N-565) to request a replacement Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization. The application must be submitted with the appropriate fee and in accordance with the form instructions.^[1] See 8 CFR 103.7.

A person may request a replacement certificate to replace a lost or mutilated certificate. A person may also request a replacement certificate, without fee, in cases where:

• USCIS issued a certificate that does not conform to the supportable facts shown on the applicant’s citizenship or naturalization application; or

• USCIS committed a clerical error in preparing the certificate.^[2] See 8 CFR 338.5(a).

Requests to update a certificate based on a name change due to marriage or divorce may also be submitted to USCIS.^[3] See INA 343(c). In addition, an applicant who has legally changed his or her gender may apply for a replacement certificate reflecting the new gender.^[4] See Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) Chapter 10.22, Document Issuance Involving Status and Identity for Transgender Individuals. A request to change the gender on a certificate may also affect the marital status already listed on the certificate. Accordingly, any request to change the gender on a certificate that may affect the validity of a marriage under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)^[5] The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Pub. L. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419 (Sept. 21, 1996). See 1 U.S.C. 7 and 28 U.S.C. 1738C. is elevated to USCIS headquarters.