dociya

Citizenship / Naturalization Certificate (US) · OCI (India)

US: Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship proves US citizenship (replace via Form N-565). India: no everyday equivalent — closest is the OCI card (lifelong visa for people of Indian origin) or a registration/naturalization certificate.

Do it on the official site

US: USCIS — Form N-565 (myUSCIS or paper). India OCI: ociservices.gov.in via VFS Global/Indian Mission; citizenship: indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in.

Fees

US N-565: $505 online / $555 paper [confirmed, verify]

India OCI fresh ₹15,000 within India (US$275 abroad); re-issue US$100 (lost) / US$25 (new passport after 20); citizenship ₹50 online [confirmed]

Processing time

US N-565 ~5–12 months; India OCI ordinarily decided within ~1 month

How long it lasts

US certificate permanent; OCI lifelong (subject to re-issue rules)

What to know first

  • US N-565 is for replacement/correction, not spare copies.
  • India: OCI is NOT citizenship (no voting/government-job rights).
  • OCI card has no expiry but re-issue is tied to passport changes + age (under 20 each new passport; once after 50).
  • Citizenship by registration/naturalization is lengthy and discretionary.

How to do it

  1. 1US: confirm replacement/correction → file N-565 → pay (or I-912 waiver) → details + court order for name change → biometrics if requested → certificate mailed.
  2. 2India OCI: apply online + docs + fee → submit originals at the Mission/VFS → collect card; follow re-issue rules by age.
  3. 3India citizenship: apply under Citizenship Act Sec 5/6 → documents → oath of allegiance.

What you need to bring

  • US: identifying case info, court order for name change, photos
  • India OCI: foreign passport (6+ mo), proof of Indian origin / former citizenship, photo/signature; re-issue: existing OCI + new passport

In person

US: nearest USCIS field office / ASC (biometrics). India: Indian Embassy/Consulate or VFS centre (OCI); office of District Collector/Magistrate (citizenship).

Questions people ask

US: get a spare copy?
N-565 is for replacement/correction, not extra copies.
Is OCI Indian citizenship?
No — it's a lifelong visa; no voting/government-job rights.
OCI re-issue on every passport?
Up to age 20 and once after 50.

Documents that travel with it

Save this deadline

Dociya will remind you on the first day you can file — not the day it expires.

OCI re-issue checker — do you need a new card after renewing your passport?

Sources

  • uscis.gov/n-565
  • ociservices.gov.in
  • indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in (accessed 2026-06-26)