What to Do After Becoming a U.S. Citizen

You just took the Oath of Allegiance and received your Certificate of Naturalization. Congratulations. Now comes the practical work of updating your records to reflect your new status. Here is the complete post- ceremony checklist in the recommended order.

1. Register to Vote

As a U.S. citizen, you are now eligible to vote in federal, state, and local elections. Many oath ceremonies include voter registration tables on-site. If yours did not, you can register using the National Voter Registration form available at vote.gov, or through your state's election authority website. Registration deadlines vary by state, so register well before any upcoming election.

2. Apply for a U.S. Passport

Your Certificate of Naturalization is the primary evidence of U.S. citizenship for passport purposes. File Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport) in person at a passport acceptance facility (many post offices accept these). Bring your certificate as your proof of citizenship, a passport photo, and the applicable fee. As of 2025, standard adult passport book fees are $130 plus $35 in acceptance facility fees. Current processing times are posted at travel.state.gov.

3. Update Your Social Security Record

Visit your local Social Security Administration office with your Certificate of Naturalization and your current photo ID. Ask the representative to update your record to reflect U.S. citizenship. You will also request a replacement Social Security card if you changed your name at the ceremony. The updated card typically arrives by mail within 10 to 14 business days. Your Social Security number does not change.

4. Get a REAL ID-Compliant Driver's License or State ID

REAL ID is a federal standard for state-issued identification. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card is required for boarding domestic flights and entering certain federal facilities. To obtain one, visit your state DMV with your Certificate of Naturalization, your updated Social Security card, and two proofs of current address (utility bill, bank statement). Requirements vary slightly by state, so check your state DMV website first.

5. Update Your Employer's I-9 Records

You are no longer a permanent resident. You are a U.S. citizen, which is a List C document category on the I-9 form. Notify your HR department of your updated status and ask whether your employer wants to update your I-9 on file. You can provide your Certificate of Naturalization or your new U.S. passport as the document.

6. Update Financial Accounts and Other Records

Most banks, brokerages, and financial institutions ask about your citizenship status, which affects tax reporting requirements. Contact each institution and update your records to reflect U.S. citizenship. Some accounts may require you to complete a new Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number) once your citizenship status changes.

7. Protect Your Certificate of Naturalization

Your Certificate of Naturalization is the most important document you own. Unlike a passport, it cannot be replaced easily. If your certificate is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you must file Form N-565 (Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document) and pay the replacement fee, currently $555. Keep your certificate in a fireproof safe or another secure location. Make a photocopy to keep separately, but note that photocopies are not accepted as legal evidence of citizenship in most contexts.

Children Who May Have Acquired Citizenship Automatically

If you have children under 18 who are lawful permanent residents living with you in the United States, they may have automatically acquired citizenship when you naturalized under INA Section 320. Apply for their U.S. passport or a Certificate of Citizenship using Form N-600 to document their status.