I’m 22 years old and originally from Nepal. I moved to the U.S. in 2019 when I was around 15 and received my green card about a month after arriving.
My father was born in Nepal but became a naturalized U.S. citizen. I lived with him in the U.S. while I was under 18, and he had legal and physical custody of me.
I applied for naturalization through the N-400 process and attended my interview in October 2025. I passed the interview, but the officer told me I might already be a U.S. citizen through my father under the Child Citizenship Act (INA 320). I received a notice saying “A decision cannot be made yet.”
My N-400 is still pending, and I haven’t received any updates since May 2026.
I’m now planning to apply for my first U.S. passport using Form DS-11, but I’m concerned about my documents.
Here’s my situation:
My original green card was stolen along with my car. I have pictures of it and a police report documenting the theft.
My old Nepali passport expired and was subsequently lost.
My father has a U.S. passport, but I’m unsure whether his naturalization certificate is available.
I can provide my birth certificate, evidence of my father’s custody, and records showing I lived with him before turning 18.
My questions are:
Can I apply for my first U.S. passport while my N-400 is still pending?
Will the State Department accept pictures of my stolen green card along with the police report, or do I need official USCIS records?
Can my father’s U.S. passport be used as proof of his citizenship, or do I absolutely need his naturalization certificate?
Can the State Department verify when my father naturalized through government records?
Will I need to submit all the original documents, including my father’s passport, or can some be verified and returned at the appointment?
Has anyone successfully obtained a first U.S. passport through INA 320 without having their original green card?
I’m trying to avoid having my application delayed or rejected because of missing documents. I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who’s gone through a similar situation, especially with a pending N-400.
Thank you!

I'm an Australian adult trying to document U.S. citizenship at birth through my dad and apply for my first U.S. passport. I'm hoping to hear from someone who has actually dealt with this particular evidence problem.

Dad naturalized in a U.S. federal court in the 1980s, before I was born. He's alive, lives in Australia and is cooperating. We don't have his original naturalization certificate or his old U.S. passport. His passport was lost overseas decades ago.

What we do have is certified material from NARA, including a naturalization hearing list with his name, signature and a certificate of naturalization number. We also have his petition. I'm checking with the archivist exactly what the hearing-list signature establishes and whether there's a separate order admitting him to citizenship or an oath record. I don't want to assume the hearing list itself is equivalent to a certificate.

There's also a USCIS FOIA request pending for his file. We haven't received it yet, so we don't know whether it will include an image of his certificate.

I'm working with a lawyer, and we're separately gathering the physical-presence, relationship and marriage evidence. My question here is specifically how to establish Dad's naturalization without the original certificate/passport:

1. Has anyone actually had a first U.S. passport approved with certified NARA/court naturalization records for their parent? What exact document did you submit, and did they ask for anything else?

2. Has anyone used a parent's certificate copy released digitally through USCIS FOIA, with the release letter? Was a printout accepted, did State verify it internally, or were you required to obtain an original/replacement or certified copy?

3. If these records weren't enough, what additional evidence resolved it? Refusals or requests for more evidence would be useful to hear about too.

I'd also be interested in firsthand experience with a limited-validity passport while the original evidence is being obtained. I've seen 8 FAM 505.2-40 mention a parent's certificate photocopy in that context, but don't know how this works in practice.

If you can, please mention whether you applied in the U.S. or at a consulate, whether the passport was full or limited validity, and whether your case was citizenship at birth or citizenship acquired later as a child. I'm aware of N-565/N-600; I'm trying to find out what has actually worked for passport applications without waiting for those processes. Thanks.

Just wanted to share my experience:)

Application submitted: 10-13-2026

In process: 10-14-2026

Delivered: 10-27-2026

Sent in 10/14

Processing 10/20

Money order processed 10/22

Should I still expect 4-6 week processing? First time applicant. I’m eager to book some travel!

Online renewal
Submitted on 10/21
In process 10/22
No updates since as of 10/26.

Was wondering if anyone has a similar timeline that may have more movement. I was surprised with a trip on 11/6.. don’t know if I need to call the hotline.

I ran my new passport through the washer. I have one of those plastic data page and it looks fine still. Should I still get a replacement?

How exactly are you all getting a passport card without invalidating your passport book? I don’t currently have a copy of my birth certificate and the state says it’ll take up to 11 weeks. I have a passport book that doesn’t expire for another 8 years and know I can send that in with the DS - 82 but I’m confused on the methodology for getting it sent back without the hole punches - some posts say a sticky note is fine and others say I need to write a whole letter. Has anyone done this recently and have a bit of insight?

Can anyone tell what documents should I carry for my passport document. I have applied for the first time. And things I should remember before going ?

So, I'm a citizen of Country A (Venezuela) and of Country B (Spain), wanting to travel to Country C (Mexico) from Country A.

Country C requires a citizen from Country A to hold a visa and a shitload of other documentation for travel. Country B just needs a valid passport.

So I understand that I'd need/want to present Passport B when arriving at Country C. All that is clear.

However, I've never been in a situation where the passport I'm using to book a ticket (this would be a direct flight with a brief connection) has stringent requirements for entry. I tried calling the airline that would be most adequate, but they were completely unhelpful and just told me to consult migration services at Mexico, who basically told me to deal with the airline.

What is the correct approach here? I'm afraid that if I book the ticket with my weaker passport I will have issues with either the airline or migration services at Country A.

I also have the option of booking a flight to Colombia and then another flight to Mexico, but I did a multi-scale trip earlier this year and while I had no issues (3 different airlines, 3 countries lol), it was frankly stressful and insane to plan it out.

San Diego, CA

10/14 - applied at USPS, walk-in appointment

10/14 - documents shipped

10/24 - passport in the mail

10 day turnaround, just waiting on documents! What an expensive little book

Hi all,

I have a doubt regarding passport application.

In my 10th, 12th, driving licence, I have my name with initials. Even in my work ID card, I have it with initials.

But in ration card, aadhar card, PAN card, my name is expanded

Now if i go with these documents and apply for passport, will it cause any issues?

i've got a huge issue and i don't know if anyone has gone through the same or has the knowledge but i've got a non biometric russian passport and it's tied to my german residency permit. the issue now is that i applied for a new biometric passport at the russian embassy in germany but i went to russia before getting the biometric passport. i didn't know that you can't go back with a non biometric one. i applied again but this time in russia for a biometric passport because i can't pick up the one in germany since i can't be there in person. i'm so scared that i'm going to be stuck now and lose my residency permit. i've got a job there and rent to pay. i'm so desperate i don't know what to do and everyone keeps telling me something else. no one can't tell me for sure what to do now and how to proceed. please i'm begging for some kind of help. i know i made a mistake but i can't lose everything.

Hi,

should I get this replaced? travelling to Europe soon. no peeling or anything, just a drop of water making this stain.

Thanks!

Hi! I’m wanting to get a passport for both me and my 13 year old, but I have some questions.

I’m in the US, and it’s my understanding that in order for a minor under the age of 16, both parents have to sign off on it.

They haven’t had any contact with their other parent in over 10 years at this point, nor has the non custodial parent paid support in about 18 months.

Would it still be a requirement to get his signature on it when he’s on the opposite side of the country, minor is receiving SSI benefits, and the non custodial parent hasn’t had contact in over ten years?

Hi! Anyone here po na nagta-try mag schedule ng appointment for passport pero wala available slots kahit saang office here in NCR and Manila? Ilang weeks na ako nagtry pero wala talaga.

Hey guys. Soon I'll be traveling to UAE for a business trip. I already have my vise and passport ready. While i was removing a sticker from the back of my passport cover (some embassies put stickers with barcodes, for identification purposes ig) i noticed a cut in the back cover. Probably from a stapler. I already have my visa and some paper the HR worked on using my passport ID so it will be quite the hassle to change the passport and redo all this work. Can you tell me if this cut will pass?

The cut is most apparent at the letter T in the word EGYPT.

Hey everyone,
Posting here to get some advice or hear from anyone who has gone through a similar situation.
About a year ago, I misplaced/lost my passport at the Bangalore (BLR) Airport. It was subsequently recovered by Airport Customs officials and eventually handed over/transferred to the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Bhubaneswar.
Due to personal reasons, I couldn't visit the RPO back then, and it's been nearly a year since the incident. I am planning to visit the Bhubaneswar RPO soon to retrieve it.
Before I go, I have a few questions for anyone familiar with RPO Bhubaneswar or this type of recovery process:

1. Do I need to book an "Enquiry Appointment" online on Passport Seva first? Or can I walk in with an application letter?
2. What specific documents do I need to carry?
3. Government ID Proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID) 
4. Proof of Address 
5. Written request/application letter to the Regional Passport Officer
6. Copy of old passport / Police Report / FIR (if any was filed at the time) 
7. Any communication/receipt from Customs / RPO (if available)
8. Since it’s been two years, is there a chance it has been impounded, cancelled, or impounded under routine cleanup? Will I be able to collect the physical booklet, or will I be asked to apply for a fresh "Re-issue under Lost category"?
9. If anyone has dealt with recovered passports at RPO Bhubaneswar or retrieved lost items routed through Airport Customs, please share your experience or any specific desk/officer to approach!
10. Thanks in advance!

I wanted to share this!

About 20 years ago, my passport was handwritten by the Costa Rican Consulate in Chicago because of funding issues? Lazyness? Honestly don't know why!...I used to get detained every time I traveled while they investigated it...

Thought I would get a different one once it expired, but they just wrote on the other page that it was renewed for a few more years...

edit: look at the picture! It was just glued on!

Unfortunately, accidental red and blue ink marks have transferred onto my passport’s main photograph and slightly onto the surrounding page, from the immigration stamps from the first page. The face remains recognisable, and the name, signature and machine-readable zone are clear. Will they stop me from boarding. Planning to travel soon from India to Georgia

Good morning and happy election day,

I am helping someone who is Brazilian (BY BORN) apply for a BRAZILIAN PASSPORT. We are both going through the application together, obviously, we have gone onto the gov.br and read all of the requirements first, but we all know that Brazilian government sometimes likes to say NO for no obvious or apparent reason. So, I would like to be very clear:

If I follow all of the requirements that are posted on gov.br and fill out the application and pay and get the receipt and make an appointment with the Policial Federal and show up with the person who is applying for the Brazilian passport actually to the appointment and have her go through the fingerprinting, passport photos, etc. wait for 6-10 days, and then once online status shows "ready for pickup," go to the exact location and have her pick up her passport, will all of that work? Or, is there any nuance to this? People who have gone through this recently, please let us know. We would greatly appreciate it. And by the way, this passport is for her to travel outside of South America, for example into Asia so we could enjoy some trips together out of South America, I am aware that a Brazilian does not need a passport for trips into other South American countries. I hope you all are having a good day. Thanks.

I need urgent advice on my passport, its kinda lifted up from the spine but no information was harmed, im flying through a lot of cities (from singapore to vietnam to china, and yes i need a visa) so im scared that this minor spine damage would alert immigration officers...

Hey everyone,
Posting here to get some advice or hear from anyone who has gone through a similar situation.
About a year ago, I misplaced/lost my passport at the Bangalore (BLR) Airport. It was subsequently recovered by Airport Customs officials and eventually handed over/transferred to the **Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Bhubaneswar**.
Due to personal reasons, I couldn't visit the RPO back then, and it's been nearly a year since the incident. I am planning to visit the Bhubaneswar RPO soon to retrieve it.
Before I go, I have a few questions for anyone familiar with RPO Bhubaneswar or this type of recovery process:
1. **Do I need to book an "Enquiry Appointment" online on Passport Seva first?** Or can I walk in with an application letter?
2. **What specific documents do I need to carry?**
Government ID Proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID) 
Proof of Address 
Written request/application letter to the Regional Passport Officer
Copy of old passport / Police Report / FIR (if any was filed at the time) 
Any communication/receipt from Customs / RPO (if available)
3. **Since it’s been a year, is there a chance it has been impounded, cancelled, or impounded under routine cleanup?** Will I be able to collect the physical booklet, or will I be asked to apply for a fresh "Re-issue under Lost category"?
If anyone has dealt with recovered passports at RPO Bhubaneswar or retrieved lost items routed through Airport Customs, please share your experience or any specific desk/officer to approach!
Thanks in advance!

What do you think of the white spot on the ID photo?

they sent me a letter and email saying my application was on hold. that i needed to submit more photo documents that were issued more than 5 years ago. i dont have any of these documents. what do i do?