What is Certificate of Naturalization

A certificate of naturalization is an official government document which serves as legal proof of United States citizenship. It is issued to persons over the age of 18 who become American citizens through the naturalization process. Once you obtain your certificate of naturalization, you will be eligible to obtain a United States passport. Before you do so, you will want to obtain at least one “certified true” copy of your naturalization certificate, especially if a name change has occurred during the naturalization process.

For example, if you are a citizen of a country that allows dual citizenship after naturalization, you will want a copy of your naturalization certificate as proof that you are also a citizen of the United States when studying abroad, conducting business in other countries, or seeking to adopt a child or get married in another land. While some countries may accept your new passport alone, most will require a birth certificate as well, and if your birth certificate does not show that you are an American citizen, you will need to provide proof of citizenship through the Certificates of naturalization are of particular importance when children are involved.

Preparing Certificate of Naturalization for use overseas

Many people do not understand that receiving a certificate of naturalization is just the beginning of your documentation process. First, this is a document of vital importance, and your original should be treated with extreme care and placed in safe keeping. You do not want to be mailing or carrying around your original document any more than absolutely needed. This means one of the first things to do is obtain a “certified/notarized true copy” (or copies) of your naturalization certificate. A certified true copy is not only necessary for obtaining a passport, but can be used to obtain an apostille so your document will be legal overseas. It is wise to use a professional agency for this task, as this is much more than just a photocopy and there are very specific processes that need to be followed.

Second, if you ever plan to travel, study, or conduct business outside the United States, your certificate of naturalization will need to be authenticated since U.S. government documents are only accepted by foreign governments if “official” or “true” copies have been authenticated. The acceptable authentication process varies depending on the country or countries you will be visiting. Member countries of the Hague Convention of 1961 (currently 80 countries, 79 states, and one Regional Economic Integration Organization) require a stamp of authenticity known as a “document apostille”. Other countries require a Certificate of Authenticity from the U.S. Office of Authentications or U.S. Department of State, but may also require further stamps and seals including Consular certification. You cannot apostille an original document.

Apostilling Certificate of Naturalization

To authenticate or apostille a certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship, you will need to have a true copy with an original, and legible, signature and the name of the officer who signed the document or certified copy. Original documents are not apostilled. Although your document may be issued in one of the states, the document apostille must be obtained from the United States Department of State since documents issued by the federal government or signed by a federal officer, an American Consular Officer, or a military notary or Judge Advocate go through the federal apostille process.

Official translation of Certificate of Naturalization

In addition to the certificate of naturalization apostille, most countries will not consider documents “legal” unless they are authenticated AND written in the language of the country in which they will be presented. Therefore, you will want to have your document and its apostille translated. Note that this is not a rudimentary task, accepted translations must meet stringent certification and notarization requirements.

Few documents are as important as your certificate of naturalization and the certificate of naturalization apostille. To ensure your documents are processed properly and in time, you should seriously consider using a professional apostille company. Simply put, these are services you can’t afford to have performed improperly.

Hiring Apoling Solutions

Apoling Solutions is a full-service apostille, translation, and document retrieval service familiar with international law, business regulations and the business laws of foreign countries. Apoling Solutions understands the details and potential challenges of the certificate of naturalization apostille process, and will ensure your documents are properly legalized, translated and ready to use. This means that from one location, Apoling Solutions retrieves documents, orders certified copies, apostilles and authenticates documents, translates, certifies translations, and expedites your documents back to you.

Once you let Apoling Solutions know your requirements, they will obtain the proper apostilles from any of the 50 U.S. states and/or the U.S. State Department depending on your needs. If you live overseas, Apoling Solutions will retrieve your documents and apostilles for you.

With Apoling Solutions, you need to contact just one agency regardless of where you live or how many document apostilles you need. Even better, you have peace of mind knowing that your documents will be legal, accepted, and not require any additional services because they are guaranteed to align with all international and domestic requirements.