Congratulations

on becoming a U.S. citizen

Today marks a very special milestone in your life. 

With a solemn oath, you are now a citizen of 

the United States of America. You pursued this 

day wholeheartedly and pledged your allegiance 

to this country; now we welcome you to the 

American family. 

Your aspirations and actions enrich our society 

and strengthen our democracy. Remember that 

with the rights of citizenship come equally 

important responsibilities. Our system of 

government relies on an active and engaged 

citizenry. The future of our great republic is 

dependent upon the involvement of citizens 

like you. 

With your new title of U.S. citizen, you have 

an opportunity to make lasting contributions to 

both your community and adopted country. Your 

efforts will help ensure that America’s promise 

of freedom, democracy, and liberty is secured for 

generations to come. 

Below is a list of some of the most important 

rights and responsibilities that all citizens—both 

Americans by birth and by choice—should exercise, 

honor, and respect. Some of these responsibilities 

are legally required of every citizen, but all are 

important to ensure the continued vitality of our 

country and democracy. Please accept our warmest 

welcome and best wishes for the future. 

M-767 (04/12)

 YOUR Responsibilities

H Support and defend the Constitution.

H Stay informed of the issues affecting your 

community.

H Participate in the democratic process.

H Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.

H Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of 

others.

H Participate in your local community.

H Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on 

time, to federal, state, and local authorities.

H Serve on a jury when called upon.

H Defend the country if the need should arise.

 YOUR Rights

H Freedom to express yourself.

H Freedom to worship as you wish.

H Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.

H Right to vote in elections for public officials.

H Right to apply for federal employment requiring 

U.S. citizenship.

H Right to run for elected office.

H Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the 

pursuit of happiness.”

Important Information for New Citizens
www.uscis.gov H 1 800 375 5283

 Apply for a U.S. Passport

Now that you are a U.S. citizen, you can apply for 

a U.S. passport from the U.S. Department of State. 

You will need to submit your original Form N-550, 

Certificate of Naturalization, when applying for your 

U.S. passport. For more information, passport forms, 

and to find a passport acceptance facility near you 

please visit www.Travel.State.Gov. You may also apply 

for a U.S. passport for any children under the age of 

18 who automatically acquired citizenship based on 

your naturalization. 

Update Your Social Security Record

You will need to visit Social Security so they can 

update your Social Security record. Wait at least 

10 days after your ceremony before doing so and 

be prepared to show them your Certificate of 

Naturalization or your U.S. passport. It is important 

that your Social Security record is accurate because 

you will need your Social Security Number (SSN) to 

get a job, collect Social Security benefits, and receive 

other government services. When you are hired 

for a job, your employer can enter your SSN into a 

Department of Homeland Security Internet program, 

E-Verify, to determine your eligibility to work in the 

United States. If your record has not been updated, 

this may impact your work eligibility. To find your 

Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit 

www.socialsecurity.gov.

 Register to Vote

As a new U.S. citizen, you may register to vote. You 

can register to vote by applying in person, by mail, 

at public assistance offices, or when you apply for 

or renew your driver’s license. Visit the U.S. Election 

Assistance Commission’s website at www.eac.gov for 

more information.

 Obtain a Certificate of Citizenship for 

Your Child

If you have a child who is a lawful permanent 

resident under the age of 18 on the day you 

naturalize, he or she may have automatically 

acquired U.S. citizenship. To obtain evidence of 

your child’s acquired U.S. citizenship status, you may 

apply for a U.S. passport from the U.S. Department 

of State or for a Certificate of Citizenship using Form 

N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, 

from USCIS. For more information, see the “How 

Do I” Customer Guides at www.uscis.gov/howdoi

and select “U.S. Citizens.” Download the guide called 

“How Do I Get Proof of My U.S. Citizenship?”

 Sponsor Family Members to Come to the 

United States

As a citizen of the United States, you may petition 

for certain relatives to become lawful permanent 

residents by obtaining what is often referred to as a 

“Green Card.” To do so, you need to sponsor your 

relative and be able to prove that you have enough 

income or assets to support your relative(s) in the 

United States. For more information, see the “How 

Do I” Customer Guides at www.uscis.gov/howdoi

and select “U.S. Citizens.” Download the guide called 

“How Do I Help My Relative Become a U.S. 

Permanent Resident?”

Protecting Your Right to Work

Federal law states that employers cannot 

discriminate against you because of your 

citizenship or immigration status or national 

origin. Employers cannot treat you differently 

because of your citizenship or because of your 

place of birth, native language, accent, or 

appearance. Employers may not demand more 

or different documents than necessary when 

completing Form I-9, Employment Eligibility 

Verification, or treat you differently when using 

E-Verify based on your citizenship or immigration 

status or national origin. Employers cannot retaliate 

against you if you complain about the treatment 

above. For more information about your rights, 

or to file a complaint, call the Office of Special 

Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 or 1-800-237-2515 

(TTY for the hearing impaired). Interpreters 

are available to help you. You also can visit 

www.justice.gov/crt/osc for more information.

Replacing Your Certificate of Naturalization

If you lose your Form N-550, Certificate of 

Naturalization, you may submit Form N-565, 

Application for Replacement Naturalization/

Citizenship Document, to USCIS. Follow the 

instructions on Form N-565 to determine where 

to submit this application and the current filing fee. 

You may request Form N-565 by calling the USCIS 

Forms Line (1-800-870-3676) or by downloading 

the form at www.uscis.gov/forms. You may use 

your U.S. passport as evidence of citizenship until 

you receive your replacement certificate. 

Next Steps: Now that You Are a U.S. Citizen . . .