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

Sources

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