Applications for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Doc. to be Filed with NSC or TSC

[Federal Register: January 25, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 16)]
[Notices]
[Page 3402-3403]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25ja07-41]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[CIS No. 2395-06; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2006-0052]

RIN 1615-ZA41

Direct Mail Program for Submitting Form N-565, Application for
Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

—————————————–

SUMMARY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expanding
its Direct Mail Program to provide that filings of Form N-565,
Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, be
filed at a designated Service Center for processing. Applicants were
previously required to file at a USCIS field office having jurisdiction
over their place of current residence. The Direct Mail Program allows
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to more efficiently process
applications by eliminating duplicative work, maximizing staff
productivity, and introducing better information management tools.
USCIS intends for this Direct Mail process to be implemented on
February 26, 2007 and it will affect all applicants filing Form N-565.

DATES: This notice is effective February 26, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leah Torino, HQ Adjudications Officer,
Office of Field Operations, or Deanna Garner, Adjudications Officer,
Office of Service Center Operations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20529, Telephone (202) 272-1001 or (202) 272-1688.

Background

What is the Direct Mail program?

Under the Direct Mail program, applicants for certain immigration
benefits mail the designated application or petition directly to a U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Service Center instead of
submitting it to their local USCIS office. The purpose and strategy of
the Direct Mail program have been discussed in detail on previous
rulemakings and Notices (see 59 FR 33903 and 59 FR 33985).

What is Form N-565?

The Form N-565 is an application for replacement naturalization or
citizenship documents. This form is used by individuals seeking a
replacement Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship,
Declaration of Intention, or Repatriation Certificate, or to apply for
a special certificate of naturalization as a U.S. citizen to be
recognized by a foreign country.

Interested individuals may find eligibility requirements for Form
N-565 as well as all other applications at the USCIS Web site: http://www.uscis.gov
.

Explanation of Changes

Does this Notice change an alien’s eligibility for issuance of a
replacement naturalization or citizenship document?

No. This Notice only changes the filing location for these
applications. These forms, previously filed at several locations
nationwide, will now be filed under the Direct Mail Program at
specified Service Centers.

What is the new filing location for Form N-565?

Effective February 26, 2007, those applicants residing in Alabama,
Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode
Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Vermont and West
Virginia, will forward their application to the Texas Service Center
at: DHS/USCIS, Texas Service Center, PO Box 851182, Mesquite, TX 75185-
1182.

Those individuals residing in Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota,
Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming,
will forward their application to the Nebraska Service Center at: DHS/
USCIS, Nebraska Service Center, PO Box 87565, Lincoln, NE 68501-7565.

What will happen to Form N-565s that are filed at the wrong address?

USCIS will have a 30-day transition period, beginning February 26,
2007, through March 26, 2007, during which USCIS will automatically
forward any locally filed Form N-565 to the correct designated Service
Centers.

After March 26, 2007, all local USCIS offices will no longer accept
any Form N-565 filings. Applications received by

[[Page 3403]]

a local USCIS office after March 26, 2007, or received by an incorrect
designated Service Center, will be returned to the applicant with
accompanying fees for resubmission at the proper filing location.

Which version of the Form N-565 will USCIS accept?

As of February 26, 2007, USCIS will accept Form N-565 (edition date
09/29/06, OMB Control No. 1615-0091). Any prior versions submitted
after March 26, 2007 will be returned to the applicant with
accompanying fees for resubmission of the proper form edition.

Does this Direct Mail Notice affect Form N-565s that have already been
filed with USCIS?

No. Applications received by a local USCIS office prior to February
26, 2007 will remain within the jurisdiction of that office for the
completion of processing. Therefore, it is not necessary for
individuals who previously filed an application at a local USCIS office
to file a new application in connection with this change of procedure.

Paperwork Reduction Act

USCIS will be amending the instructions to the Form N-565 to
reflect the new filing instructions. Accordingly, USCIS will provide
the Office of Management and Budget with a copy of the amended form
through the automated Regulatory Office Combined Information System
(ROCIS). Changing the filing instructions will not have any affect on
the reporting burden hours.

Dated: November 21, 2006.
Emilio T. Gonzalez,
Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
[FR Doc. E7-1131 Filed 1-24-07; 8:45 am]

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