Obtaining a Certificate of Nonexistence of Record (CoNE) from USCIS can be a crucial step in various citizenship by descent applications, including those for Italian, Slovak, and Lithuanian ancestry. This certificate confirms that an ancestor did not naturalize in the United States before a certain date. Here’s a detailed guide on how to request this certificate using Form G-1566.

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Steps to Obtain a Certificate of Nonexistence of Record

Step 1: Fill Out Form G-1566

The process begins with completing Form G-1566, a straightforward four-page form. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do:

• Pages to Complete: You will need to fill out only three pages of the form, which can be accessed here.
• Information Needed: Include the full name, aliases, date of birth, and country of birth of the ancestor for whom you are requesting the certificate.
• Additional Requirements: If the subject of record is deceased and born less than 100 years ago, an obituary or death certificate is required. Proof of marriage is needed if the subject married a foreign national between 1907-1922.

Step 2: Mail the Form

Once the form is completed, mail it to the following address:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

USCIS

Attn: G-1566 Manual Process

P.O. Box 4074

Carol Stream, IL 60197-4074

FedEx, UPS, and DHL Deliveries

USCIS

Attn: G-1566 Manual Process

2500 Westfield Drive

Elgin, IL 60124-7836

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What to Expect in the Certificate

The Certificate of Nonexistence of Record will include:

• The name of the USCIS official certifying the certificate.
• The nature of the search performed.
• The types of records and time periods for which USCIS has centralized records.
• The name, aliases, date of birth, and country of birth of the subject of the search.

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Cost and Limitations

• Cost: The filing fee for Form G-1566 is $330. Payment can be made via money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit/debit card using Form G-1450. Make checks payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
• Limitations: If records are found, you will receive information related to the record instead of a certificate of nonexistence. USCIS searches records in its custody and control but may refer you to other agencies for records outside its scope.

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Processing Time

Requests typically take between two to four months from submission to receipt of the certificate. During this period, USCIS may request additional information or evidence to support your request.

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Important Considerations

• Language and Translation: If you submit documents in a foreign language, you must also provide a full English translation. The translator must sign a certification confirming the translation's accuracy and their competency to translate.
• Signature Validity: USCIS will accept a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original handwritten signature as valid for filing purposes.
• Consultation: It’s advisable to consult with a qualified immigration and citizenship lawyer to ensure you meet all requirements and understand the process fully.

For more information and latest updates, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/g-1566