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Schedule a Consultation →Your Green Card Is Surrendered at the Oath Ceremony
At the naturalization oath ceremony, USCIS officers collect your Permanent Resident Card. You will sign a form confirming you are surrendering it. From that moment, your identity document is your Certificate of Naturalization, Form N-550, which you receive at the ceremony.
Your Certificate of Naturalization
The N-550 Certificate of Naturalization is your proof of U.S. citizenship. Guard it carefully, it is expensive and time-consuming to replace. Store it in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box. Make a certified copy and keep the original off-site.
Applying for a U.S. Passport
As a new citizen, your next step is usually applying for a U.S. passport. You can apply at any USPS passport acceptance facility. Bring your N-550 certificate, a completed DS-11 application form, a passport photo, and the applicable fees. First-time adult passports are valid for 10 years.
Updating Your Records
Update your Social Security Administration record to reflect your new citizen status, this can affect benefit eligibility. Notify your employer, bank, and other institutions. If you wish, you can now register to vote in federal, state, and local elections.
If You Renewed Your Green Card Shortly Before Naturalizing
If you recently paid to renew your Green Card and then naturalized before the new card arrived, the card will be issued and then immediately surrendered at the oath ceremony. Unfortunately, the fee is not refunded. This is one reason to time your naturalization and renewal carefully.
Questions About Your Situation?
Every immigration case is different. Our team can review your documents and explain your options.
Call (407) 275-6163Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my Green Card as a souvenir?
No, USCIS collects it at the oath ceremony. You may request a commemorative copy for personal records, but the actual card is surrendered.
What if I lose my Certificate of Naturalization?
File Form N-565 (Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document) with USCIS. The fee is $555 as of 2025.
Can I use a U.S. passport instead of a Green Card before the ceremony?
No. Until you take the oath, you are not a citizen. Your Green Card (or valid receipt notice) remains your primary immigration document until then.
Can I keep my other country's passport?
U.S. law does not require you to renounce your other nationality at naturalization (though the oath of allegiance references renouncing foreign allegiances). Many countries do not allow dual citizenship, check your birth country's laws.
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