[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 16 (Thursday, January 25, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3402-3403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1131]


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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.

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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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