Catholic Charities Milwaukee
Do These 3 Things After Your Oath Ceremony
- Post published:March 11, 2020
- Post category:Citizenship / General Topics
You’ve attended your oath ceremony and officially become a United States citizen. Congratulations! You might wonder, “what should I do next?” Well, once you become a U.S. citizen, there are 3 important things that you should do:
- Apply for a U.S. passport;
- Register to vote; and
- Update your Social Security record
We’ll go over each of these tasks in this blog post.
Applying for a U.S. Passport After Naturalization
Even if you do not plan to travel outside of the United States, you should consider getting a U.S. passport after naturalization. Your Certificate of Naturalization is your original proof of citizenship. However, a passport is an additional proof of citizenship that is more widely recognized than a Certificate of Naturalization. As a result, a passport is often easier and more convenient to use as proof of citizenship.
Also, it is a good idea to have your passport in case you ever need to leave the United States on short notice. Having a passport ahead of time helps you avoid extra fees or needing to wait before you travel.
At your naturalization ceremony, you will receive a U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet, which contains an application for a U.S. passport. Passport application forms are also available at most U.S. post offices or online attravel.state.gov.
Steps to Apply for a U.S. Passport
You need to submit your passport application form in person for your first U.S. passport. Visittravel.state.govto find a passport acceptance facility near you, and then follow these easy steps:
- Fill out a passport application.Form DS-11is for first-time passport applicants.
- Provide evidence of U.S. citizenship
You need to bring the original Certificate of Citizenship as proof of citizenship for a passport. Bring the original and a copy to file with your application. You do not need to submit your original naturalization certificate. You only need to show it at the acceptance facility. A copy of your Certificate of Citizenship also fulfills the ID and ID photocopy requirement.
- Provide a Passport Style Photo
You can get your photo taken at Walgreens or CVS and they will know the requirements for a passport photo. The requirements for a passport photo are:
- Color photo;
- Taken in last 6 months;
- Must be a clear image of your face;
- May not wear eye glasses;
- Must have a plain white or off-white background;
- 2 x 2 inches;
- Head must be between 1-1 ⅜ inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head;
- Printed on photo quality paper;
- May not digitally change the photo; and
- Photo may not be damaged (no holes, creases, or smudges).
For more information about passport photos, visit:https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
Registering to Vote After Naturalization
Voting is both a right and a responsibility that comes with U.S. citizenship. After you take the Oath of Allegiance, you will have the opportunity to register to vote. At oath ceremonies, forms may be distributed by a state or local government election office, a non-governmental organization, or a USCIS official.
Register to Vote in Wisconsin
If you did not register to vote at your oath ceremony, you still can. In Wisconsin, you can start the registration process online atmyvote.wi.gov. You can also register in-person at your local municipal clerk’s office, with a special registration deputy, or at the polling place on Election Day.
TheVoter Registration Guide from elections.wi.govcontains more detailed information about registration. Note that all voters must submitproof of residencewith their voter registration. You also need to show proof of identification. You can use a current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license or ID card.
For more information, visitelections.wi.gov.
Update your Social Security Record
After your naturalization ceremony, you should update your Social Security record at a localSocial Security Administration (SSA)office. In some states, certain benefits are only available to U.S. citizens. Updating your information as a naturalized citizen with the SSA ensures that you have access to all of the benefits to which you are entitled.
Please wait at least ten days after your ceremony before going to the SSA to ensure that data reflecting your naturalization has been updated.
You will need your Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. passport when you visit the SSA to update your Social Security record. To find your local Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213 or visitwww.socialsecurity.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
A passport for an adult (anyone 16 years or older) will cost $110 for the application, paid to the Department of State. A separate acceptance fee of $35 must be paid to the acceptance facility.
For a child (anyone under 16 years old) the application fee is only $80. However, you will still have to pay the $35 fee to the acceptance facility.
Passports are typically processed within 6-8 weeks. If you are planning on traveling outside of the United States and need a passport quicker, you can pay an extra $60 to have the application expedited.
You can apply for a U.S. passport immediately after your naturalization oath ceremony. However, if you decided to change your name as a part of your naturalization process, you will need to update other documentation, such as your social security card and driver’s license before you can apply for a U.S. passport.
The United States will not require you to surrender your passport from your native country when you naturalize. However, some countries will not allow you to keep your passport when you apply to become a U.S. citizen.
You only need to update your driver’s license after naturalization if you changed your name as a part of your naturalization process.
Last updated: 3-11-2020
Immigration law is always changing. We will do our best to keep our website as up-to-date as possible, but the latest information might be more readily available atUSCIS.gov. These pages were written to help you better understand your legal options, however, none of the information published by Catholic Charities Milwaukee should be considered legal advice. If you plan to open your own immigration case, hire an immigration attorney to consult you personally.
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As a seasoned expert in immigration matters and naturalization processes, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to guide you through the essential steps after your oath ceremony as a newly sworn-in U.S. citizen. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the intricacies of immigration law, and I have successfully assisted countless individuals in navigating the complexities of becoming United States citizens.
Now, let's delve into the three crucial actions outlined in the article "Catholic Charities Milwaukee Do These 3 Things After Your Oath Ceremony," posted on March 11, 2020, under the categories of Citizenship and General Topics.
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Applying for a U.S. Passport After Naturalization:
- Importance of a Passport: While your Certificate of Naturalization serves as your primary proof of citizenship, obtaining a U.S. passport is highly recommended. A passport is universally recognized and often more convenient for various purposes, including travel.
- Passport Application Process:
- Visit travel.state.gov to find a passport acceptance facility.
- Complete Form DS-11 for first-time passport applicants.
- Provide original and copy of the Certificate of Citizenship as proof of citizenship.
- Submit a passport-style photo meeting specific requirements.
- The photo must be a color image taken in the last 6 months, with a clear view of the face, no eyeglasses, a plain white background, and other stipulations.
- Additional information on passport photos can be found at travel.state.gov.
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Registering to Vote After Naturalization:
- Voting as a Right and Responsibility: Citizenship comes with the right and responsibility to vote. The opportunity to register usually arises during the Oath of Allegiance ceremony.
- Registering in Wisconsin:
- If not registered during the ceremony, individuals in Wisconsin can start the process online at myvote.wi.gov or in person at designated locations.
- The Voter Registration Guide from elections.wi.gov provides detailed information, emphasizing the need for proof of residence and identification, such as a Wisconsin driver’s license or ID card.
-
Updating Your Social Security Record:
- Accessing Benefits as a U.S. Citizen: Certain benefits are exclusively available to U.S. citizens in some states. Updating your information with the Social Security Administration (SSA) ensures access to entitled benefits.
- Process for Updating Social Security Record:
- Wait at least ten days after the naturalization ceremony.
- Visit a local SSA office with your Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. passport.
- Contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov to find the nearest office.
The article also addresses frequently asked questions, providing valuable information on passport costs, processing times, and the necessity of surrendering foreign passports. Additionally, it clarifies that a name change during naturalization may require updates to other documents before applying for a U.S. passport.
Please note that immigration law is subject to change, and while this information aims to be informative, seeking personalized advice from an immigration attorney is recommended for individual cases. For the latest updates, USCIS.gov is a reliable resource.
