citizenship papers

American  

plural noun

1. a certificate of citizenship, as one issued to a U.S. citizen born abroad.

2. (loosely) a certificate of naturalization conferring citizenship on a resident alien.

---

Example Sentences

At the end of that journey, they receive an American flag, copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, their citizenship papers — and a welcome letter from the president.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2025

For Indigenous people — particularly elders, who may have been born at home — citizenship papers can be hard to come by, though tribal IDs are sufficient.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2024

Last month, officers raided an organization that had been accused of using fraudulent documentation to help Russians obtain residency and citizenship papers.

From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2023

Deporting someone can take years, and this applies especially to those who no longer have up-to-date citizenship papers from their home countries.

From Washington Post • Apr. 6, 2017

Brave Orchid had mailed the daughter’s young photograph to a rich and angry man with citizenship papers.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston