<p>My parents cannot find my citizenship certificate and I do not have a passport. There is not enough time for me to get a new one (it takes at least 6 months!)</p>
<p>is there any other options or anything I can do??</p>
<p>Help your parents look for your citizenship certificate. It is probably just missing in your house somewhere.</p>
<p>If you can’t find it anywhere, you will indeed have to file for a new one. I know that this takes time, but you absolutely need it. As soon as you get it, apply for a passport and then keep these two things in safe places.</p>
<p>Did you have your social security card issued (or re-issued) after you received your citizenship? In order to work legally in the US, you need documentation that you are eligible to work. If your social security card was issued while you had a different immigration status, it will have a note on it that indicates you can’t work without permission. If your social security card doesn’t have that note, and you have a state-issued drivers license, you have the correct documentation to complete an I-9 which is necessary for any employer. Ask at your college/university if that is enough for now for their purposes.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>A citizenship certificate shouldn’t take that long. But regardless…</p>
<p>What do you need the certificate for? If it’s employment, follow happymom’s instructions. If it’s to prove citizenship for some reason, you can get a copy of the court paperwork from the naturalization court (though not the certificate of citizenship, since those can only be issued by the USCIS).</p>
<p>I need it to show colleges that I am a citizen. </p>
<p>How do I go about getting the court paperwork from the court, and could I send colleges my parents certificates (since I am still a minor and was when they received them) while I am waiting for mine to be received if I cannot find it?</p>
<p>Call each college/university, and tell them what has happened. Ask them if they will accept a copy of the court paperwork while you are hunting for the certificate. Ask them what else they might accept temporarily in lieu of the certificate itself. Expect each institution to give you a different answer. Get the name, and title, of the person who gave you that answer, and send an email confirming the details of your conversation to that person so that you have a written record.</p>
<p>Call the naturalization court where your citizenship was processed and ask them what you need to do to get a copy of these records.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
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<p>Call the court and ask if they can issue you a certified copy of your paperwork. They should be able to send your Declaration, Petition, and Oath, which is the legal paperwork proving citizenship. </p>
<p>The Certificate (which only comes from the USCIS) has been explained to me as being a “keepsake”. Many people use it for proof, but in truth, the approved petition is proof enough.</p>
<p>Since you were a minor, you should be listed on your parent’s petition (I think - not positive).</p>
<p>We found the certificate, but thank you for the wonderful advice! I really appreciate it!</p>
<p>Good news. Personally, I’d now go get a passport issued.</p>
<p>I second the passport!</p>
<p>And G.P., thanks for the info about the specific documents to ask for! I’m printing it out for my files in case Happygrandma loses her paperwork one day.</p>