N-565 is the form U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses to replace a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention or Repatriation Certificate. It applies when the document was lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, contains a USCIS error, or must show a legal name change, a changed date of birth or your sex at birth. It also covers a special certificate of naturalization that a foreign country may require. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; USCIS publishes the original PDF and instructions, and you file with USCIS yourself.
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What is N-565?
Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form used to ask for a replacement Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention or Repatriation Certificate, or a special certificate of naturalization.
USCIS, part of the Department of Homeland Security, decides whether you have established eligibility for the document you request. If you do, USCIS approves the application and issues the document. Where appropriate, USCIS forwards a special Certificate of Naturalization to the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a foreign government official. A denial is sent to you in writing.
Part 3 asks you to select one type of document (new Certificate of Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Repatriation, Declaration of Intention, or the special certificate) and then every basis that applies: lost, stolen or destroyed; mutilated; USCIS typographical or clerical error; legal name change; changed date of birth; sex that does not reflect biological sex at birth; or another reason. Each basis sends you to its own part of the form (Parts 4 to 7), and the special certificate goes to Part 8.
The form does not let USCIS change a name or date of birth you gave incorrectly on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and then swore to at your interview. The form is edition 02/27/25 under OMB No. 1615-0091, which expires 12/31/2027.
Who needs to file N-565?
You may file Form N-565 if USCIS issued you a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention or Repatriation Certificate and at least one of these applies:
- the document was lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated;
- the document is incorrect because of a typographical or clerical error by USCIS;
- your name changed by marriage, divorce, annulment or court order and you want a document in your new name;
- the sex on the document does not reflect your sex at birth and you want a document reflecting it.
You may also replace a Certificate of Citizenship if a court order, or a document issued by the U.S. Government or a U.S. state, changed your date of birth. Only applicants seeking a new Certificate of Citizenship may choose that option.
Naturalized citizens can use the form to request a special certificate of naturalization so that a foreign country recognizes them as U.S. citizens.
USCIS will not change a name without evidence such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order, and will not change a date of birth on a Certificate of Citizenship without documents such as a U.S. court order or state-issued documents. If you are under 14, a parent or legal guardian may sign for you; a legal guardian may sign for a mentally incompetent person.
When to file N-565
File Form N-565 when one of the circumstances in Part 3 applies to your certificate or declaration: it was lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, it contains a USCIS error, or you need it to show a legal change of name, date of birth or sex at birth. Neither the form nor its instructions print a deadline for this application.
An application is not considered properly filed until the date USCIS accepts it. USCIS rejects an application that is unsigned or lacks the correct fee, and you may correct the problem and resubmit. If you apply for a special certificate of naturalization, file it when a foreign country requires proof of your citizenship; the instructions cite 8 CFR 343b.2. Neither the form nor the instructions give a processing time. USCIS may ask you for more evidence, an interview or a biometrics appointment, and missing a biometrics appointment can lead to denial.
Documents you need
- Two identical color passport-style photographs, only if you live outside the United States: 2 by 2 inches, white to off-white background, unmounted and unretouched, with your name and A-Number lightly printed on the back.
- A copy of your U.S. Government-issued photo identification.
- A copy of the document showing a change in marital status (marriage certificate, divorce decree, annulment decree or a death certificate), if your marital status changed since the original document was issued.
- For a lost, stolen or destroyed document: a copy of the document (if available), a police report and/or a sworn statement explaining what happened and any attempts to retrieve it.
- For a mutilated document: the mutilated document itself.
- For a USCIS typographical or clerical error: the original incorrect document and copies of any documents supporting your request.
- For a name change: the original certificate or declaration and a copy (original or certified) of the marriage certificate, annulment decree, divorce decree or court order.
- For a changed date of birth, new Certificate of Citizenship only: the original certificate and a copy (original or certified) of the court order or U.S. Government or state-issued vital record showing the change.
- For a document that lists the wrong sex: the original USCIS document and a copy of your birth certificate establishing your sex at birth.
- For a special certificate of naturalization: a copy of your naturalization certificate.
- For another reason (Part 3, Item 2.g.): the original certificate or declaration and any evidence documents.
- A full English translation with the translator's signed certification, for any document in a foreign language.
How to fill out N-565
Complete the attorney or representative box
At the top of page 1, if an attorney or accredited representative represents you, select the box showing Form G-28 is attached and enter the State Bar Number and USCIS Online Account Number if you have them. Type or print in black ink.
Enter current certificate information (Part 1)
Item 1: your full name exactly as printed on the certificate or declaration. Enter the date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy), country of birth, country of former citizenship, certificate or declaration number and A-Number (if any). Item 7: the issuing USCIS office or court and the date.
Enter your current information (Part 2)
Give your full legal name (no nicknames), all other names used, your current mailing address and marital status. Answer Item 5 on whether you have lost or renounced U.S. citizenship; if Yes, explain in Part 12 or on a separate sheet.
Choose the document and basis (Part 3)
In Item 1 select only one document type. In Item 2 select every basis that applies, and for 2.a. or 2.g. write your explanation. If you select 1.e., the special certificate, skip to Part 8.
Complete the part for your basis (Parts 4-7)
Part 4 for a USCIS typographical or clerical error, Part 5 for a name change (marriage, divorce, annulment or court order), Part 6 for a date of birth change and Part 7 for your biological sex at birth. After completing the part, go to Part 9.
Complete the special certificate (Part 8)
If you selected 1.e., give the foreign country and the requesting official's name, title, agency and address if known. Leave Item 4 blank: the USCIS or consular official certifies it after approval.
Add your contact information (Part 9)
Enter your daytime telephone number and, if any, mobile number and email address in Items 1 to 3.
Complete Parts 10 and 11 if applicable
If an interpreter read the application to you, the interpreter completes Part 10. If someone other than you prepared it, that preparer completes Part 11. Each signs and dates.
Use Part 12 for extra space
Enter your name and A-Number, then the page, part and item number each answer refers to. Write N/A for questions that do not apply and None for numeric answers of zero.
Sign, review and download the PDF
Sign and date in Part 9, Item 4, in your own handwriting; a parent or legal guardian signs if you are under 14. Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the evidence listed under required documents.
How to submit N-565
You can file Form N-565 with USCIS online or by mail.
- Online: create a USCIS online account and file through it. The account also lets you pay the fee online, check your case status, respond to requests for evidence and update your address. After filing online, you must mail your original document to the Nebraska Service Center; its address appears in the Evidence section of the online application.
- By mail, U.S. Postal Service: USCIS, Attn: N-565, P.O. Box 20050, Phoenix, AZ 85036-0050.
- By mail, FedEx, UPS or DHL: USCIS, Attn: N-565 (Box 20050), 2108 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284-1806.
A filing fee applies. USCIS directs you to Form G-1055 and its Fee Schedule page for the current amount. Sign the form: USCIS rejects unsigned applications, and a photocopy, fax or scan of the original handwritten signature is valid. If you print and mail the form, make sure the edition date and page numbers show on every page and all pages come from the same edition. For an email or text message when a lockbox accepts your form, clip Form G-1145 to the first page. For where-to-file updates, see www.uscis.gov/N-565. If you file from overseas with a foreign mailing address, USCIS sends an approved document to the nearest U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate or USCIS field office. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the application unsigned or typing your name instead of signing; USCIS rejects unsigned applications and does not accept a stamped or typewritten name.
- Selecting more than one box in Part 3, Item 1; the instructions allow only one document type, though you may select every basis that applies in Item 2.
- Leaving Part 2 Family Name or Current Mailing Address blank; USCIS rejects the form if these fields are missing.
- Using the wrong part for your reason: Part 4 is for USCIS errors, Part 5 for name changes, Part 6 for date of birth and Part 7 for sex at birth.
- Sending originals when they are not required or requested; USCIS may destroy originals submitted unnecessarily.
- Omitting a full certified English translation for a foreign-language document.
- Printing the form with missing pages or pages from different editions; USCIS may reject it.
- Expecting USCIS to correct a name or date of birth on a Certificate of Naturalization that you gave incorrectly on Form N-400 and swore to at your interview.
- Writing in the margins without using Part 12 or a separate sheet that shows your name, A-Number, and the page, part and item number, signed and dated.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form N-565 used for?
Form N-565 is the USCIS application for a replacement Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention or Repatriation Certificate. It is also used to request a special certificate of naturalization so a foreign country recognizes you as a U.S. citizen.
Can I file Form N-565 online?
Yes. USCIS accepts it online through a USCIS online account or by mail. If you file online, you must still mail your original document to the Nebraska Service Center at the address shown in the Evidence section. FillingPDF lets you fill out the PDF, but it does not file for you.
Where do I mail Form N-565?
For U.S. Postal Service, mail to USCIS, Attn: N-565, P.O. Box 20050, Phoenix, AZ 85036-0050. For FedEx, UPS or DHL, use USCIS, Attn: N-565 (Box 20050), 2108 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284-1806. USCIS says to check www.uscis.gov/N-565 for the latest filing information.
Is there a fee to file Form N-565?
Yes, a filing fee applies, and USCIS rejects an application that lacks the correct fee. The amount is not printed on the form; the instructions refer you to Form G-1055 and USCIS's Fee Schedule page. If you file online, you can pay the fee through your online account.
What do I need if my naturalization certificate was lost or stolen?
Attach a copy of the certificate if you have one, plus a police report and/or a sworn statement explaining what happened and any attempts to retrieve it. Also send a copy of your U.S. Government-issued photo ID, and photos if you live outside the United States.
Can USCIS correct my name or date of birth on a Certificate of Naturalization?
Only in limited cases. USCIS can change the name if you changed it after you naturalized, with evidence such as a marriage certificate or court order. It cannot change a name or date of birth you gave incorrectly on Form N-400 and swore to at your interview.
Who signs Form N-565 if the applicant is a child?
If you are under 14, your mother, father or legal guardian may sign for you. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. USCIS does not accept a stamped or typewritten name, but a photocopy, fax or scan of the original handwritten signature is valid.
Should I send my original certificate with Form N-565?
Only when required. The original is required for a mutilated document, a USCIS error, a name or date of birth change, or a sex correction. For a lost document, send a copy if you have one. USCIS may destroy originals sent when not required.
What is the difference between a replacement and a special certificate of naturalization?
A replacement certificate or declaration substitutes for your existing document. A special certificate of naturalization is requested so a foreign country recognizes you as a U.S. citizen; you select 1.e. in Part 3 and complete Part 8, and attach a copy of your naturalization certificate.
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