USCIS Redesigns Naturalization Certificate to Enhance Security

More than 600,000 new citizens will receive the enhanced certificate over the next year

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas today announced the launch of a redesigned Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) with new security features that will reduce fraud—part of USCIS’ ongoing efforts to enhance the integrity of the immigration system. USCIS began using redesigned certificates at all offices today, and the agency anticipates that over 600,000 new citizens will receive the enhanced certificate over the next year. 

 “Taking the Oath of Allegiance and receiving a naturalization certificate is a momentous occasion for hundreds of thousands of new citizens each year,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas, who personally distributed the first new certificates during a naturalization ceremony at the USCIS Baltimore District Office. “The redesigned certificate improves our safeguards against fraud related to this most precious of immigration benefits.” 

The redesigned certificate features the naturalization candidate’s digitized photo and signature embedded into the document.  The background also features a color-shifting ink pattern that is difficult to reproduce.  USCIS is now using a more secure printing process that renders the certificate more tamper-proof. 
 
In addition launching the redesigned certificate, Director Mayorkas announced that USCIS will fully transition to an automated production process for the new certificates by the end of the calendar year.  Automating this process will increase consistency and reduce the time it takes to prepare certificates.  USCIS offices in Atlanta, Denver and Baltimore will be the first to implement the transition to an automated process this week. All other offices will transition to the automated process during the next 60 days.

All previously issued Certificates of Naturalization remain valid. 

For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

Last updated:10/25/2010