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Application for Certification of Citizenship (N-600)
Generally, you may automatically obtain citizenship through your U.S. Citizen parents when you are born, or after your birth but before you turn 18. Application for Certificate of Citizenship, is filed to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship which serves as evidence of your or your child’s U.S. citizenship.
Generally this can be filed if you were born abroad and are claiming U.S. citizenship at birth through your U.S. Citizen parents, or if you were born overseas but your parent becomes a U.S. Citizen before you turn 18.
When can I file my N-600 Petition?
If you became a U.S. Citizen at birth, or after birth before you turned 18, you can file the N-600 at any time.
What are the requirements to file an N-600?
1. You were born outside the United States to a U.S. Citizen parent(s) OR you automatically became a citizen of the United States after birth, but before you turned 18 years of age. [A parent or legal guardian can also file on behalf of a minor child. You must meet the requirements for when, where and the circumstances of your birth to qualify.];
2. You must be a biological child of your U.S. Citizen parent OR a legally adopted child of. U.S. Citizen;
3. You must be lawfully admitted to the United States for Lawful Permanent Residence; and
4. You must be living in the United States in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. Citizen parent.
What if my U.S. Citizen Parent does not live in the United States regularly, can I still apply using the N-600?
No, However, you can still apply using the N-600K or by applying for a Passport, it is important you consult a U.S. Immigration Attorney to find out which path is best for you.
If my U.S. Citizen Parent is deceased, can I still apply using the N-600?
You can still apply using the N-600K.
If my U.S. Citizen Parent does not live in the United States regularly?
Yes, if you acquired U.S. Citizenship at birth, or before the age of 18, and before your parents death, your parent’s death does not affect your ability to apply if you automatically acquired citizenship, either at birth or after birth, before your parent’s death.
However, if you did not automatically acquire citizenship before your parent’s death, your parent’s death may affect your ability to apply unless you meet the requirements of section 322 of the Immigration Nationality Act (INA), in which case other options may be available to you.
If I was born out of wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Father and non-Citizen mother, how do I know if acquired U.S. Citizenship at birth?
If you were born out of wedlock, are claiming that you acquired U.S. citizenship at the time of your birth, and you were born after Nov. 14, 1986, you must demonstrate:
- That your father was physically present in the United States for 5 years, at least 2 of which were after 14 years of age;
- A blood relationship with your father by clear and convincing evidence;
- That your father was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth;
- That your father (unless deceased) has agreed in writing to provide financial support for you until you reach 18 years of age; and
- While you are under 18 years of age
- You are legitimated under the law of your residence or domicile;
- Your father acknowledges paternity of you in writing under oath; or
- Your paternity is established by a court.
If you were born out of wedlock, are claiming that you acquired U.S. citizenship at the time of your birth, and you were born between Jan. 13, 1941 and Nov. 14, 1986, you must establish that your paternity was established by legitimation while you were under the age of 21.
NOTE: If you were at least 15 years of age but under 18 years of age on Nov. 14, 1986, you could choose to have either of the requirements above apply to you.
If my father became a U.S. Citizen Father between my birth and before I became 18, and my mother is not a U.S. Citizen, how do I know if acquired U.S. Citizenship?
If you are claiming that you acquired U.S. citizenship after birth through your father and you were born out of wedlock after Feb. 27, 2001, or you were under the age of 18 on that date, you may have acquired U.S. citizenship after birth. You must establish that you were legitimated, or are considered legitimate, that you were residing in the legal and physical custody of your father in the U.S. while you were under the age of 18, and that you were admitted as a lawful permanent resident.
I already have a U.S. passport issued by the Department of State, am I required to file a Form N-600 for a Certificate of Citizenship?
No. You are not required to file a Form N-600 for a Certificate of Citizenship. The Certificate of Citizenship is an optional form. A validly issued U.S. passport generally serves as evidence of your U.S. citizenship during its period of validity unless that passport has been revoked by the Department of State. However, you may be required to submit your Certificate of Citizenship when attempting to apply for certain other benefits, including, but not limited to: Social Security benefits, State issued ID including a Driver’s License or Learning Permit, Financial Aid, Employment, and/or Passport Renewal.
Do I need to hire an attorney to file my N-600 Petition?
No! You can apply without an attorney. However, many applicants run into issues by making simple mistakes, or not understanding how a wide range of topics may impact an application. As a result having an attorney support your journey can be invaluable giving you security everything is being done correctly.
Is it very expensive to hire an attorney to represent me with my N-600 Petition?
Attorneys charge a wide range of fees for various levels of service. Julianne’s fee is generally in a range from $650.00 to $1,250.00, based on the circumstances of your filing and additional mitigating factors.
What does Julianne’s fee include?
Fee includes preparation of N-600, preparation of evidence list, review & formatting of all evidence, formatting/submission to USCIS, and responses to requests for evidence if applicable.
If I hire an immigration attorney for my N-600 petition does the attorney need to live in the state I live in?
No! When it comes to immigration your attorney can be licensed by any U.S. State living anywhere, just be sure they are licensed and in good standing in the state of licensure.
How much is a Consultation with New York Licensed Immigration Attorney Julianne M. Kinsey?
A full telephone consultation is typically $150.00, if you hire Julianne for full representation this will be applied to reducing the total fee due for representation. You can also use the consultation if you have questions about your eligibility, potential issues, or anything I-485 related.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Please fill out and submit this contact form, and you will be redirected to a page with a link for scheduling and directions for payment.
