A citizenship certificate is valuable because it provides permanent and authoritative proof of your U.S. citizenship. Individuals often use it when:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Obtaining a state driver’s license or ID
• Completing Form I-9 for employment
• Registering for school or applying for financial aid
• Applying for Social Security benefits
• Confirming citizenship for legal or government purposes

Although a passport can also prove citizenship, the Certificate of Citizenship is the strongest form of proof because it never expires and clearly states how citizenship was obtained. Read more about the limitations of a U.S. passport →

You may need a citizenship certificate if you became a U.S. citizen through a parent but do not have official proof. Common situations include:

• Individuals Born Abroad to a U.S. Citizen Parent

  You may have automatically acquired citizenship at birth if:
  • At least one parent was a U.S. citizen
  • Your U.S. citizen parent lived in the U.S. long enough to meet the physical-presence requirements
  These individuals often need a certificate to document this status later in life. Learn more about acquired citizenship →

• Individuals Who Derived Citizenship After a Parent Naturalized

  You may have automatically become a citizen if:
  • You were a lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
  • You were under age 18
  • At least one parent naturalized
  • You were in that parent’s legal and physical custody
  If you or you believe your child obtained citizenship in this manner, you can learn more about the requirements of derived citizenship →

• Adopted Children

  Many children adopted by U.S. citizens automatically acquire citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act. A certificate helps document this status for government agencies, schools, and future legal needs.
  
  If you’re unsure whether you qualify, you can use the citizenship eligibility questions built into the Form N-600 service on CitizenPath. It's free to get started and check eligibility.

A Certificate of Citizenship contains several fields that identify the certificate holder and document how and when the person became a U.S. citizen. While the layout may vary depending on when it was issued, most citizenship certificates include the following information:

• Full Legal Name: The individual’s official name, matching supporting documents such as the birth certificate or legal name change order.
• Date of Birth: Used to confirm identity, match immigration records, and distinguish the holder from individuals with similar names.
• A-Number (if assigned): Some people who derived or acquired citizenship previously held lawful permanent resident status. In those cases, USCIS may list an Alien Registration Number on the certificate.
• Certificate Number: A unique identifier printed on each Certificate of Citizenship. This number is often required when applying for certain federal or state benefits.
• Date the Person Became a U.S. Citizen: This is one of the most important fields. Unlike a passport, the citizenship certificate shows the exact legal date citizenship was obtained — critical when demonstrating eligibility for benefits, deriving benefits for children, or resolving questions about past immigration status.
• Citizenship Classification: Indicates whether citizenship was obtained at birth through a U.S. citizen parent or after birth through a parent’s naturalization. This classification helps agencies understand the legal basis for citizenship.
• Issuing USCIS Office: Notes the field office that approved the Form N-600 application and produced the certificate.
• Holder’s Signature: Confirms identity and is used to authenticate the document.
• Official DHS/USCIS Seal: A raised or printed seal verifying that the Certificate of Citizenship is an official government document.

If your certificate was lost, stolen, or damaged, you must file Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document. USCIS will not automatically reissue it.

To replace your certificate, you’ll typically need:

• Completed and signed Form N-565
• A copy of the lost or damaged certificate (if available)
• A police report if the document was stolen
• Evidence of your U.S. citizenship
• The required filing fee