# USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Pt. K, Ch. 1: Purpose and Background > Federal · Agency guidance · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V12_PK_C1 ## Section - **Citation:** USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Pt. K, Ch. 1 - **Heading:** Purpose and Background - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Agency guidance - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** USCIS Policy Manual / Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization / Part K - Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization / USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Pt. K, Ch. 1 ## Text A. Purpose All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements to derive or acquire citizenship or to become naturalized [1] United States citizens are eligible to receive a certificate from USCIS documenting their U.S. citizenship. [2] The burden of proof is on the applicant to establish that he or she has met all of the pertinent eligibility requirements for issuance of a certificate. - The Certificate of Citizenship is an official record that the applicant has acquired citizenship at the time of birth or derived citizenship after birth. [3] - The Certificate of Naturalization is the official record that the applicant is a naturalized U.S. citizen. [4] The Certificate of Citizenship is an official record that the applicant has acquired citizenship at the time of birth or derived citizenship after birth. [3] The Certificate of Naturalization is the official record that the applicant is a naturalized U.S. citizen. [4] USCIS strictly guards the physical security of the certificates to minimize the unlawful distribution and fraudulent use of certificates. B. Background In general, in order to obtain either a Certificate of Citizenship or a Certificate of Naturalization from USCIS, a person must: [5] - File the appropriate form and supporting evidence; - Appear for an interview before an officer, if required; - Meet the pertinent eligibility requirements, as evidenced by USCIS approval of the form; and - Take the Oath of Allegiance, if required. File the appropriate form and supporting evidence; Appear for an interview before an officer, if required; Meet the pertinent eligibility requirements, as evidenced by USCIS approval of the form; and Take the Oath of Allegiance, if required. USCIS District Directors, Field Office Directors, and other USCIS officers acting on their behalf, have delegated authority to administer the Oath of Allegiance in USCIS administrative oath ceremonies and to issue certificates. [6] C. Legal Authorities equired; Meet the pertinent eligibility requirements, as evidenced by USCIS approval of the form; and Take the Oath of Allegiance, if required. USCIS District Directors, Field Office Directors, and other USCIS officers acting on their behalf, have delegated authority to administer the Oath of Allegiance in USCIS administrative oath ceremonies and to issue certificates. [6] C. Legal Authorities - INA 310(b)(4) ; 8 CFR 310 – Naturalization authority and issuance of certificates - INA 332(e) ; 8 CFR 332 – Issuance of Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization - INA 338 ; 8 CFR 338 – Contents and issuance of Certificate of Naturalization - INA 340(f) ; 8 CFR 340 – Cancellation of certificate after revocation of naturalization - INA 341 ; 8 CFR 341 – Certificates of Citizenship - INA 342 ; 8 CFR 342 – Administrative cancellation of certificates, documents, or records INA 310(b)(4) ; 8 CFR 310 – Naturalization authority and issuance of certificates INA 332(e) ; 8 CFR 332 – Issuance of Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization INA 338 ; 8 CFR 338 – Contents and issuance of Certificate of Naturalization INA 340(f) ; 8 CFR 340 – Cancellation of certificate after revocation of naturalization INA 341 ; 8 CFR 341 – Certificates of Citizenship INA 342 ; 8 CFR 342 – Administrative cancellation of certificates, documents, or records Footnotes [1] The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines naturalization as the “conferring of nationality of a state upon a person after birth, by any means whatsoever.” See INA 101(a)(23) . Accordingly, any person who obtains citizenship after birth, even if that citizenship is obtained by automatic operation of law, such as under INA 320 , is a “naturalized” citizen under the law. For ease of reference, this volume uses the term naturalized citizen to refer to those persons who do not acquire automatically but instead file an Application for Naturalization ( Form N-400 ) and proceed through the naturalization process in their own right. irth, even if that citizenship is obtained by automatic operation of law, such as under INA 320 , is a “naturalized” citizen under the law. For ease of reference, this volume uses the term naturalized citizen to refer to those persons who do not acquire automatically but instead file an Application for Naturalization ( Form N-400 ) and proceed through the naturalization process in their own right. [2] A person who automatically acquires citizenship may also apply for a U.S. Passport with the Department of State to serve as evidence of his or her U.S. citizenship. [3] See Part H, Children of U.S. Citizens [ 12 USCIS-PM H ]. [4] See the relevant Volume 12 [ 12 USCIS-PM ] part for the specific eligibility requirements pertaining to the particular naturalization provision, to include Part D, General Naturalization Requirements [ 12 USCIS-PM D ]; Part G, Spouses of U.S. Citizens [ 12 USCIS-PM G ]; and Part I, Military Members and their Families [ 12 USCIS-PM I ]. [5] USCIS automatically issues Certificates of Citizenship for certain adopted children. For information on Certificates of Citizenship for adopted children, see Volume 5, Adoptions, Part F, Citizenship for Adopted Children, Chapter 3, Eligibility, Documentation, and Evidence, Section B, Child Residing in the United States [ 5 USCIS-PM F.3(B) ]. [6] See Part J, Oath of Allegiance, Chapter 2, The Oath of Allegiance, Section B, Authority to Administer the Oath [ 12 USCIS-PM J.2(B) ]. ## Nearby sections - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Pt. K, Ch. 1 Purpose and Background](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V12_PK_C1.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Pt. K, Ch. 2 Certificate of Citizenship](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V12_PK_C2.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Pt. K, Ch. 3 Certificate of Naturalization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V12_PK_C3.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Pt. K, Ch. 4 Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Document](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V12_PK_C4.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Pt. K, Ch. 5 Cancellation of Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V12_PK_C5.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V12_PK_C1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.