Certificate of Citizenship vs. US Passport for Children

The Certificate of Citizenship is a certificate similar to your naturalization certificate that proves your child is a citizen of the United States. You may apply for a Certificate of Citizenship by working with Project Citizenship to complete a Form N-600.

In addition to the application, you will need to submit additional supporting documents, which may include:

• A copy of the U.S. citizen parent’s birth certificate (with translation, if necessary);
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate (with translation, if necessary);
• Proof of the parent’s U.S. citizenship (a copy of the Naturalization Certificate);
• A copy of the parent’s marriage certificate (with translation, if necessary);
• Proof of legal custody (if the child’s parents are divorced or separated);
• A copy of the child’s green card; and/or
• Proof of residence or physical presence in the U.S. (ex. school records, leases, employment).

Learn More About Certificate of Citizenship Eligibility

Schedule an N-600 Eligibility Screening*

*When you call, please let the screener know that you’re interested in applying a Certificate of Citizenship (N-600).

The application fee for the Certificate of Citizenship is $1,385. However, if you receive public benefits, your household income is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or you have some other financial hardship, you may be eligible for a fee waiver.

In an N-600 eligibility screening with Project Citizenship, you’ll learn more about whether you qualify for a fee waiver.

The Certificate of Citizenship is documentary proof of your child’s citizenship. It is also U.S. government-issued photo identification. Unlike a U.S. passport, a certificate of citizenship never expires.

A passport can be used to travel abroad and can also be used to prove your child’s U.S. citizenship. However, a passport must be renewed every 5 years (while the child is under 16), and then every 10 years once the child is an adult.

To apply for a passport for your child, you must fill out and submit Form DS-11 with all necessary documentation. You can find this application online or at a local U.S. Post Office. If your child has a Certificate of Citizenship, you will need to include a copy of it with the passport application. If your child does not have a Certificate of Citizenship, you will need to submit the following documents with the passport application:

• A copy of the U.S. citizen parent’s Naturalization Certificate;
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate (with translation, if necessary);
• Proof of the child’s admission as an LPR (copy of the child’s green card); and
• A copy of the parent’s marriage certificate
• Proof that the child was in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent