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Hi, I am waiting for my oath ceremony to be scheduled. It had been canceled due to the pandemic. I have been trying to read about the information on what I need to do after I get the naturalization certificate. But there is no good comprehensive article/post that listed all things. So I thought I would make a list that might be helpful for others. Please contribute to the list below and add to it as you come across from your experience and research.
After getting the Naturalization Certificate:
After getting the Naturalization Certificate:
| Action | Website and useful info | Expected Length of time | Actual Length of time | Fee | Required? |
| Endorsement of Name Change | Happens during Naturalization Oath ceremony | NA | NA | Free | Yes |
| Update Social Security information | https://www.ssa.gov/ - Fill the application and send in the originals in mail (they do not take photocopies, and they do not allow people to come in person due to COVID) - They will return the originals back to the applicant (as of 11/17/20 it is taking 3 weeks in MN). - Then SSN card will follow in a separate mail within 2-6 weeks after that. Mine took 2 weeks. |
6-10 weeks | 5 weeks | Free | Yes |
| Change name with Utility companies | Xcel Energy CenterPoint Energy AT&T Comcast Highly recommend doing this as soon as possible because many items below would ask for statements of your Utility companies. You can make change online yourself in most, if not all of the above mentioned companies. |
NA | NA | Free | Yes |
| Update Driver's License (or State ID) | MN - https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/rea...s/default.aspx - MN needs SSN to be updated before applying for changes on DL, if there is a name change involved. - I recommend applying for enhanced driver's license instead of the standard or REAL ID. For just $15 more, enhanced id is useful for traveling to neighboring countries (like Canada, Mexico etc) without having to carry passport. - Schedule an appointment (as of 11/17/20, the appointments need to be made 8 weeks in advance - COVID strikes again) - Complete pre-application online - Attend in person (1/13/21) -- DMV sent a letter back to me saying all the documents I submitted did not show up in the system - not sure what the agent at the counter did. Went to the DMV again on 2/12/21 - so far its been 14 weeks since I started this process and no end in sight!) - Update: I eventually got it on 3/3/21. So it took about 14 weeks for this process to be completed - which is ridiculous! |
8 weeks (MN) | 14 weeks | Standard - $51 (MN) Enhanced - $66 |
Yes, if name changed |
| Apply for Passport | https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...passports.html - Schedule an appointment with a city administration or USPS. I recommend scheduling with the one that has the ability to take photos. As of 11/17/20, appointments are available for the next day. So there is no delay. - Fill the application and take the required documents for proof to the appointment. Fill the application online (https://pptform.state.gov/), print it, and take it to the appointment. - For me, DS-11, Naturalization Certificate, Driver's License, and Name Change Certificate are the documents that needed to be submitted. |
Standard 8-12 weeks Expedited 4-6 weeks |
3 weeks - expedited | Standard - $175 Expedited - up to $252 |
No (but highly recommended) |
| Update I-9 with employer | Help to employer - https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/51...rent-employees - Employer should be able to do this online with scanned copies of documents as proof |
NA | NA | Free | Yes |
| Change name everywhere else | Financial institutions (recommended to get this done first as these can be used as supporting documents in other processes) Change name at work Work email Personal email Auto/Home Insurance Car lease |
NA | NA | Free | Yes |
| Register to vote | https://vote.gov/ | NA | NA | Free | No (but why wouldn’t you? It’s your duty!) |
| Apply for Renunciation of old citizenship | https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/ Results in Renunciation Certificate or Deemed Surrender Certificate OCI and Renunciation cannot be applied together. Need to be separate applications. VFS says once applied for Renunciation and received the certificate, that's when we can apply for OCI. |
60 business days | 9 business days (12 overall days) |
$232 (including courier and other fees) | YES (if this step is not performed in time, there is a high penalty from Indian government when this is eventually done) |
| Update documentation with US Trusted Traveler Program | https://ttp.dhs.gov/ Global Entry card needs to be updated with citizenship status, name change, and any address changes. No need for applying online or scheduling a new interview. FAQ says just walk-in at the enrollment center with the documentation. After updating the records, need to order for a replacement card. - Did the walk-in at the MSP airport Global Entry office. Wasn't even called into the office (possibly because of COVID measures). The attendant took the documents and came back with a confirmation that it's done. Got the card in mail later. - Also, don't forget to change the DL and passport details on Global Entry profile (including the address, if you have a change). |
No details | 15 days | $25 (for replacement card) | Yes |
| Apply for OCI card | https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/ Just like every process that involves Indian Consulate - this is a 2-step process 1. Apply for the "Online Application" on the government website 2. Go to VFS site and apply for document verification for the "Online Application" in step1. Since this is my first time applying for OCI, I needed to send the original US passport to VFS, which is super scary! They said I will get it back in 3-5 business days. - I sent the documents on 2/15/21. - I got the passport back pretty quickly (I think within a week or so). - They acknowledged on 3/2/21. - Approved on 4/9/21. - Got the OCI document in mail on 4/13/21. |
4-6 weeks | 8 weeks | $295 (+ courier fee + text updates fee + other fee = $350) | No - but highly recommended instead of a visa (which is currently not allowed due to COVID - so OCI is the only option if need to travel to India) |
| Apply OCI for spouse | https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/ Once receiving the OCI card, spouse can apply for OCI (even if they are a foreigner to India and can have all the benefits of a citizen of India, except for voting - no special charges for foreigners on tickets for places like Taj Mahal - which is not a lot) - Applied for my husband on 5/2/21. - They pre-approved the application. - On 5/24/21, they sent us an email in which they informed us that we need to come in as a couple for an interview on a working day between 2:15 pm and 3 pm at the Chicago Indian Consulate. - We went for an interview on 6/8/21 - They realized that we are a same-sex couple (in our defense, we have all the photos and genders clearly showing on the application - but I can see how they might have missed it - not really!!) and told us that it would have to be reviewed by the ministry in Delhi. - As of 1/20/23 it is still pending. Followed up numerous times with the consulate and they are saying it is still "pending". |
4-6 weeks | 90 weeks and still pending | $295 (+ courier fee + text updates fee + other fee = $350) | No - but highly recommend instead of a visa (which is currently not allowed due to COVID - so OCI is the only option if need to travel to India) |
| Apply green card for parents | Eligibility - https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-...nent-residents Application form - https://www.uscis.gov/i-130 - Green card status need to be maintained by living in the US for certain number of days in a year, which does not work for my parents. So most likely I will not go through this process and they will continue with their visitors visa. |
5 - 7 months | NA | $1,070 | No |
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