Naturalization Certificate Replacement Cost: What to Expect

Written by the Ellis Porter content team. This article has not been reviewed by an attorney. It is general information, not legal advice.

In plain English: Replacing a lost, stolen, damaged, or erroneous Certificate of Naturalization is done with USCIS Form N-565, and it carries a government filing fee set on the current USCIS fee schedule. A fee waiver may be available if you cannot afford the fee and you request it on the proper form. The cost is not the same as a Certificate of Citizenship, which is a different document obtained with a different form. Your citizenship itself does not lapse just because the certificate is lost, but you often need the document to get a passport or prove status, so the right form and a complete filing matter.

Part of Ellis Porter’s guide to U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

Lost or damaged your certificate? Here is what replacing it really takes

If your Certificate of Naturalization has gone missing or arrived with a mistake on it, take a breath. This is a common, fixable paperwork problem, and your citizenship is not in question. Here is how the replacement actually works, in plain terms.

A Certificate of Naturalization is the document USCIS issues when someone becomes a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process. If that certificate is lost, stolen, destroyed, mutilated, or contains an error, you can ask USCIS for a replacement. The tool for that is Form N-565, the Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document.

The key idea to hold onto: replacing the paper does not affect your citizenship. Your status as a citizen does not lapse because a document went missing. What you are buying is a fresh official record, which you often need to prove citizenship or apply for a passport.

What the replacement costs

Form N-565 carries a government filing fee that USCIS sets and updates from time to time. Because that number changes, we do not quote a figure here that could be stale. Confirm the current amount on the official USCIS filing-fee schedule. A few things shape what you actually pay:

• Filing method. Paper and online filings can carry different fees, so compare both on the current schedule.
• Whose error it was. If the certificate contains a mistake that was the government’s fault, the fee treatment can differ. Read the current form instructions.
• Ability to pay. A fee waiver may be available (below).

For the form itself and its instructions, USCIS is the authoritative source; the N-400 naturalization page covers the underlying citizenship process if you have not naturalized yet.

If the fee is out of reach

If you cannot afford the filing fee, USCIS allows you to request a fee waiver using its designated fee-waiver form, filed together with your N-565. A waiver is not automatic. You must document your financial situation the way the instructions require, such as showing income below the applicable guidelines or receipt of a means-tested benefit. If the certificate error was a USCIS mistake, a fee may not apply at all. Always verify the current rules on the USCIS fee page.

Naturalization certificate vs Certificate of Citizenship

People often blur two different documents. They are not the same, and they do not cost the same.

If you became a citizen by going through interviews and the oath, you hold a naturalization certificate. If you were a citizen automatically through a parent or at birth abroad and want documentary proof, that is a Certificate of Citizenship, a different filing. Confirm which one you need before paying anything. If it is unclear, this is a good moment to get advice.

What the certificate does (and a durable backup)

You may need the certificate to apply for a U.S. passport, correct records, or show status to an agency. Note that a U.S. passport is itself strong evidence of citizenship, so many new citizens apply for one soon after their oath as a durable backup in case the paper certificate is ever lost. That does not remove the value of the certificate, but it reduces the panic if it disappears.

Understanding your rights as a citizen also helps. See permanent resident vs citizen for how citizenship differs from green card status, and the U.S. citizenship interview and U.S. citizenship test pages if you are still working toward naturalization.

How an Ellis Porter attorney helps

Most straightforward replacements do not require a lawyer, but some situations are not straightforward: a name or data error on the certificate, a question about whether you need N-565 or a Certificate of Citizenship, a fee-waiver request you want done right the first time, or a lost certificate colliding with an urgent passport or travel need. An Ellis Porter attorney can confirm the correct form, assemble a clean filing, and keep a small paperwork problem from becoming a proof-of-citizenship problem.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. The right path and timeline depend on the specific facts of your case. Consult a licensed immigration attorney.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a Certificate of Naturalization?

Replacing the certificate uses Form N-565 and carries a government filing fee that USCIS sets and periodically updates. Because the amount changes, you should confirm the current figure on the official USCIS filing-fee schedule rather than relying on an older number. The fee can differ depending on whether you file on paper or online, so check both. A fee waiver may be available if you cannot afford to pay.

What form do I use to replace a lost naturalization certificate?

You use Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document. It covers a certificate that is lost, stolen, destroyed, mutilated, or that contains an error such as a misspelled name. If the error was the government’s mistake, the fee treatment can differ, so read the current form instructions closely. This form is different from the one used to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship.

Is there a fee waiver for replacing a naturalization certificate?

A fee waiver may be available if you can show an inability to pay, and it is requested using the designated USCIS fee-waiver form filed together with your application. Approval is not automatic; you must document your financial situation as the instructions require. If the certificate error resulted from a USCIS mistake, a fee may not apply at all. Check the current form instructions and fee schedule to see what applies to your situation.

Does a Certificate of Citizenship cost the same as replacing a naturalization certificate?

No. A Certificate of Citizenship is a distinct document, typically for people who acquired or derived citizenship rather than going through naturalization, and it is obtained with a different form that carries its own fee. Replacing a naturalization certificate uses Form N-565. The two processes serve different people and have separate fees, so confirm which document you actually need before filing. When in doubt, an attorney can help you identify the correct one.

Do I lose my citizenship if I lose my naturalization certificate?

No. Losing the paper certificate does not cancel your status as a U.S. citizen; citizenship does not expire because a document is misplaced. The practical problem is proof: you may need the certificate to apply for a U.S. passport, update records, or show status to certain agencies. A U.S. passport is itself strong evidence of citizenship, so many people obtain one as a durable backup. Replacing the certificate restores an official record when you need it.