[Bexter]

Eric's readoption was final on Wednesday (yay!) and his name was legally changed. I need to get his name changed on his Certificate of Citizenship, but don't know what form to fill out. Can someone send me the form number or a link to the website?

[kcsunshine925]

Hi. You need to submit the N-565....I think the fee was $210 when I submitted last year. Be sure to get certified copies of the COC that you have now. The form says that you have to submit the original, although I know someone that did not.

I submitted mine last July, and received a receipt from INS about a month later. I have heard nothing since then, which is very frustrating. The receipt said that it could take up to a year, but I certainly didn't think it would! Of course my check was cashed almost immediately.

So you may want to have certified copies, so that you have proof of citizenship, should you need it.

Good luck.

Sheila

[dspakowsky]

Sheila,

Are you saying send in the Certified or Original copy? Thanks

[DPline]

Here is the link.

http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/n-565.htm

It has now gone up to $220. Guess I should quit procrastinating and get it done before it goes up again.

My understanding is you have to submit the origional, but am curious about if a certified copy would work.

[kcsunshine925]

Well, according to the instructions, you have to send in the original, which I did. But now, I wish I had some certified copies, vs. just regular copies. I haven't gotten a SS yet for my daughter. To me, it seemed it would be easier to have the name change done first. But I thought it would only take a month or so to get the new COC. So now, I still don't have a SS, and I think they will require an original or certified copy of the COC to get one.......So I still haven't filed taxes for 2004!!! because my accountant wants a ss number first to claim the adoption costs. But since they owe me money, I have until 2007 to file them.

A friend of mine sent in a certified copy instead of the original, but they haven't gotten theirs back, so I can't say that that would work. I think you should send in the original, and just have a certified copy to use while you are waiting. But that's just my opinion...someone else may know more. I can only tell you that I can't get any answers about my new COC. The receipt number doesn't work for the case update search on the website or even over the phone. Reminds me of the I-600 A...but that was far more important.

By the way, you also have to send in updated passport photos. I had my daughters done at CVS.....have to get the 3/4 face view.

Good luck.

Sheila

[DPline]

Thanks for the info. Sheila.

You can get a social security number for her without the CofC. She will not be listed as a citizen (can't remember what they will list her as) but you can always go back and change her status when you do get the CofC. We got Social Security numbers for both of our children within days of the time they came home, then went back later when we had received their CofC and had their status changed. (Then went back AGAIN once we had their legal name change complete.)

[Suzeb1]

The certified copy idea is great. Thanks. Did you just make a copy and have it notarized, or something different?


Susan

[Bexter]

Can I just mail in the form, or do I need to go to a USCIS office?

[DPline]

You can mail it.

[pvanabel]

We were told my our agency that there really is no need to change the COC even after the name change has occurred - has anyone else not done a new COC after name change?

[DPline]

My understanding from previous threads on the subject is that a passport will not always be accepted as proof of citizenship. Examples I have seen here are if your child decides to adopt as an adult, as well as if they want to join the military.

Here is a thread that discusses it. It is rather long and also goes into SS numbers and other issues, but IMHO it is worth slogging through. Becky is a Guat program director and I personally trust what she has to say.

the WHY of the Coc?

[crapnegr]

When we readopted our lawyer told us we did not need to change the CoC. We didn't change it so I hope it was good advice. To get the SS card the court had given me a paper that was stamped to give the SS office. I did go to the office instead of mailing the form but I had no problem.

[pvanabel]

If it comes into play later in life that they need a new COC can it be done then?

[DPline]

It is the same form for lost certificates or name changes of any kind (marriage etc.) so I would think you could apply for it at any time. My only concern would be that it takes sooooo long to get it. If they need it, they could be waiting a year to get it.

[papito]

i didn't need a name change on the coc,
with a certfyed copy of the orginal of the name change, you show it only at the social security office, and for a passport you do the same, i was afraid of loosing documents , so i paid extra to an agency who does it for people , so the documents don;t get lost,for my passport, enclosing the name change document.
once ypu have a passport that is the maximum