![\"cherokeenation\"](\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/covid19\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/30\/cherokeenation.png\")
<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nAugust 27th, 2021<\/p>\n
TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma<\/strong> \u2014 The Cherokee Nation\u2019s Registration Office is extending its closed in-person services another month and will reopen to the public on October 4.<\/p>\n Staff continue to work on pending applications during this time. <\/p>\n Cherokee Nation Registration received a record number of applications in 2021.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were receiving 2,000 applications for citizenship a week at one point which is 10 times the volume we normally receive,\u201d said Interim Registrar Derrick Vann. \u201cHaving our office closed to in-person services has allowed us to catch up on the backlog of applications and we\u2019re working at great speed to help our citizens with the COVID programs and assistance they may need.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cherokee Nation Registration office is still processing applications from June 2021.<\/p>\n A secure vault is placed in the lobby of the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex for those who wish to drop off citizenship applications. Citizens may mail in applications via postal service or the secure drop off; however, all in-person citizenship applications and photo ID cards will remain suspended until October 4, 2021.<\/p>\n Registration employees will continue working diligently on all pending applications and submissions by individuals seeking citizenship or updates to existing citizen records. <\/p>\n To meet the higher demand in citizenship applications, Registration added twelve additional staff to the existing 45 employees. Additionally, the staff has expanded work shifts to 7 p.m. during the weekdays and work on Saturdays.<\/p>\n The tribe\u2019s current enrollment is more than 398,000 citizens.<\/p>\n