Your child may already be a U.S. citizen.
Many parents become U.S. citizens and never realize that their child may have automatically become a U.S. citizen too. If a child became a citizen through a parent, they can apply for a Certificate of Citizenship by filing Form N-600 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Unsure If Your Child Qualifies?
Project Citizenship provides free legal assistance to help families determine whether a child may already be a U.S. citizen and to help eligible families complete the N-600 application.
When you speak to a staff member, explain your interest in learning more about the Form N-600 for your child.
Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, is used to request official proof that a person is already a U.S. citizen. The N-600 does not make someone a citizen. Instead, it provides a Certificate of Citizenship, which is a permanent government-issued document proving U.S. citizenship.
Think of it this way: if a child automatically became a citizen through a parent, the N-600 is the application used to get the document that proves it.
A child may have automatically become a U.S. citizen if all of the following were true before the child turned 18:
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At least one parent became a U.S. citizen
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The child was a lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
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The child was unmarried
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The child was living in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent
These requirements can be met in any order, as long as they were all met before the child’s 18th birthday.
Because every family situation is different, it is important to speak with a qualified legal service provider, like Project Citizenship.
If your child was already 18 or older when you became a U.S. citizen, they did not automatically become a citizen through you. However, they may be eligible to apply for citizenship on their own through Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) if they meet the eligibility requirements. Project Citizenship can help determine which application is appropriate.
No. Stepchildren cannot derive U.S. citizenship through a stepparent. Only biological children and certain adopted children may qualify for citizenship through a parent.
A Certificate of Citizenship is often needed throughout a person’s life. It may be required for:
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Employment verification
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Student financial aid and loans
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Government benefits
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Obtaining certain forms of identification
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Immigration and legal matters
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Replacing lost proof of citizenship
Unlike a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Citizenship never expires.
Learn More About the Certificate of Citizenship vs. a U.S. Passport
Families are often asked to provide:
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The child’s birth certificate
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The child’s green card
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The parent’s Naturalization Certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship
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Marriage certificates (if applicable)
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Custody documents (if parents are divorced or separated)
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Proof that the child lived with the U.S. citizen parent in the United States (such as school records, leases, or medical records)
Documents that are not in English may need a certified translation. Project Citizenship can help with this, free of charge.
The current USCIS filing fee is $1,385 per child.
Many families may qualify for a full or partial fee waiver based on income, public benefits, or financial hardship. During your screening, Project Citizenship will evaluate whether a fee waiver may be available. Project Citizenship never charges clients for our legal services.
Here’s what to expect:
- Free eligibility screening
- Virtual appointment to complete the N-600 application
- Project Citizenship mails the application to USCIS
- USCIS sends a receipt notice and may schedule biometrics or an interview
- Receive the Certificate of Citizenship
Most applications are processed in approximately 10–13 months, although processing times can vary.