Copies of First Papers

[pcar]

Hi,

I became a naturalized citizen in 1976 in Boise, Idaho. Does anyone know how I would go about requesting a copy of my first papers? My mother married an American citizen and then had me naturalized.

Thanks

[rayb]

Pcar,

The availability of proof of your citizenship depends on several things:

1. Do you still have a copy of your original Green Card?
2. Do you know whether you or your mom received a Citizenship Certificate or a Naturalization Certificate, for you?
3. Did you subsequently obtain a U.S. passport?
4. Were you adopted by your stepfather?

Please respond with answers to the above, and I'll offer you some options for obtaining proof, if available, of your citizenship.

The rules for derivative citizenship have varied over the years, depending on when you were supposed to have acquired it and your age at the time, i.e., the regulations in effect at that time.

--Ray B

Hi,

I became a naturalized citizen in 1976 in Boise, Idaho. Does anyone know how I would go about requesting a copy of my first papers? My mother married an American citizen and then had me naturalized.

Thanks

[pcar]

rayb,

1. I do not have a copy of the original Green Card.
2. Both my mother and I received naturalization certificates. My certificate shows my changed name and date of naturalization. The document was signed by my mother on my behalf.
3. I have used the naturalization certificate to obtain a US Passport.
4. I don't believe I was adopted by my stepfather.

I read a comment in an article where a immigration lawyer said to go to the specific federal court where the naturalization occurred and request the records be brought out from the archives. This is the only other lead I have at this time.

Some of the answers are a bit hazy. I apologize.

Pcar,

The availability of proof of your citizenship depends on several things:

1. Do you still have a copy of your original Green Card?
2. Do you know whether you or your mom received a Citizenship Certificate or a Naturalization Certificate, for you?
3. Did you subsequently obtain a U.S. passport?
4. Were you adopted by your stepfather?

Please respond with answers to the above, and I'll offer you some options for obtaining proof, if available, of your citizenship.

The rules for derivative citizenship have varied over the years, depending on when you were supposed to have acquired it and your age at the time, i.e., the regulations in effect at that time.

--Ray B

[rayb]

Do you have a copy or original of your Naturalization Certificate? If you do have it, what else do you think you need and why?
Why was your name changed? A name change of a child normally occurs only if you were adopted.

--Ray B

rayb,

1. I do not have a copy of the original Green Card.
2. Both my mother and I received naturalization certificates. My certificate shows my changed name and date of naturalization. The document was signed by my mother on my behalf.
3. I have used the naturalization certificate to obtain a US Passport.
4. I don't believe I was adopted by my stepfather.

I read a comment in an article where a immigration lawyer said to go to the specific federal court where the naturalization occurred and request the records be brought out from the archives. This is the only other lead I have at this time.

Some of the answers are a bit hazy. I apologize.

[pcar]

I'm in the process of petitioning for a K1 visa for my fiance' from Vietnam. The US consulate requires that I present a copy of my birth certificate. I have sent legalized copies of my passport, power of attorney, naturalization certificate and driver's license in an attempt to get my birth certificate. The Vietnamese authorities are now saying that I need documentation to show that my name was changed. There should be some type of document such as a N-400 which shows my former and current name.

Do you have a copy or original of your Naturalization Certificate? If you do have it, what else do you think you need and why?
Why was your name changed? A name change of a child normally occurs only if you were adopted.

--Ray B

[rayb]

Was your your original name Asian or Western? If Asian, it may have been "Anglicized" to be in conformity with English pronunciation. IF Western, it may have been simple spelling changes, or a new name to reflect a legal adoption.

If you know what the original name was, and /or why it was changed, you can seek an original source document or adoption decree. I'm not sure if you are correctly reporting that "Vietnamese authorities are now saying that I need documentation t show that my name was changed..."

Vietnamese authorities have no interest in why an American fiance petitioner changed his name 40 years prior. On the other hand, USCIS and Embassy reviewers routinely ask for proof of a name change, and such change proof is invaribly validaed by a court name change record, an adoption decree, or an explanation for why spelling changes were warranted.

--Ray B

I'm in the process of petitioning for a K1 visa for my fiance' from Vietnam. The US consulate requires that I present a copy of my birth certificate. I have sent legalized copies of my passport, power of attorney, naturalization certificate and driver's license in an attempt to get my birth certificate. The Vietnamese authorities are now saying that I need documentation to show that my name was changed. There should be some type of document such as a N-400 which shows my former and current name.