Got another USCIS txt and email today, it was obviously issued before today because I was handed it on the 7th.


“Application Type: N400, APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION

Your Case Status: Decision

On June 11, 2019, we issued your Certificate of Naturalization for your Form N400, APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION, Receipt Number”

you did not apply for a passport? I signed mine, took a picture and gave it to the passport acceptance person within 15 mins of having it in hand, so won’t see it again for 2 weeks....

Oh wow, I just assumed most immigrants would get a US passport right away. I guess for emergency travel you can get one in 72h, but between work and family back in Europe and the UK I can’t imagine being without a current passport. Most people at my ceremony seems to be applying for passports right afterwards.

I added the $30 passport card for a similar reason. Would not use it for domestic travel (since DL is also real ID) and would never leave the country without a real passport, but useful if I need something to prove I am USC locally and may work as a backup to the passport. Despite all the advice, I have seen a USC entering at the boarder with a foreign passport and Naturalization certificate (although from what I overheard that was his primary method not backup, and he had been warned multiple times).

I guess it’s just foreign to me to not have valid passports for travel available. Before I went to have my L1a stamped I got a second UK passport and actually ended up traveling the day after leaving passport for about a week. In the last few years I have had to travel with less than 24h notice for work (staff resigned in SIN) and also for my grandfathers funeral and one of my brothers who had a “surprise” wedding with about 2 days notice to family. But I guess if you know there is no way you could travel the $0.04 or so saving a day would add up to nearly $15 a year in savings.

US passport book arrived this AM in the mail, just less than 2 weeks after the oath ceremony, so the N-550 should be back on its way soon as well. Feels a lot more real now with a passport in hand since thats document you actually use. Now to update Global Entry.

Passport card arrived on the 22nd, now just waiting for the Naturalization certificate to come back in the mail.

Certificate came back today on the 26th via regular mail, took a scan and now it can get locked away in the fire safe.

Did you pay for an expedited passport? 2 weeks sounds quick given the 6-8 week range they show in the website.

Yes $235 total including the passport card. Could not risk being without for 2 months. I have previously always done same day renewal in London for the UK ones, had no trip planned and sent my UK one by ups that was a similar time frame and no extra fee.