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Naturalization for Children: How They Can Become U.S. Citizens

Navigating the path to U.S. citizenship for children can be complex, particularly for those born outside the country. This guide outlines the various avenues through which children can acquire citizenship, including automatic citizenship and the naturalization process, and emphasizes the importance of consulting an immigration attorney near you for personalized guidance.

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Naturalization for Children: How They Can Become U.S. Citizens
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Navigating the path to U.S. citizenship for children can be complex, particularly for those born outside the country. This guide outlines the various avenues through which children can acquire citizenship, including automatic citizenship and the naturalization process, and emphasizes the importance of consulting an immigration attorney near you for personalized guidance.
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Discover how children can become U.S. citizens through naturalization or automatic citizenship. This comprehensive guide covers eligibility, the application process, and special cases like adoption. For personalized assistance, find an experienced immigration attorney near you to help navigate your child's citizenship journey.
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Naturalization for Children: How They Can Become U.S. Citizens

Many parents wonder how their children can acquire U.S. citizenship, especially if they were born outside the United States. While adults must go through the naturalization process, children may be eligible for automatic U.S. citizenship under certain conditions.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
  • Who qualifies for automatic U.S. citizenship as a child
  • How children can become naturalized citizens
  • The application process for a child’s Certificate of Citizenship
  • Special cases, including adopted children
Understanding these rules will help ensure that children receive the legal status and rights they are entitled to as future U.S. citizens.
 
💡 For every post in this series, scroll down to “Related Posts.”

Who Qualifies for Automatic U.S. Citizenship?

A child can automatically acquire U.S. citizenship in two main ways:
  1. Citizenship by Birth (Jus Soli) – Born in the U.S.
      • Any child born on U.S. soil (including U.S. territories) is a U.S. citizen, regardless of the parents’ immigration status.
      • Exceptions apply to children of foreign diplomats.
  1. Citizenship by Acquisition (Jus Sanguinis) – Born Abroad to U.S. Citizen Parents
      • If at least one parent is a U.S. citizen at the time of birth, the child may acquire U.S. citizenship automatically.
      • The parent must meet certain residency requirements before the child’s birth.
For parents who naturalize after a child’s birth, special rules apply for automatic citizenship through derivation.

Derivative Citizenship: When a Child Becomes a U.S. Citizen Automatically

Under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA), children can derive automatic U.S. citizenship if they meet all three of the following requirements:
  1. The child has at least one U.S. citizen parent (by birth or naturalization).
  1. The child is under 18 years old.
  1. The child is a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and is living in the U.S. under the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.
If all conditions are met, the child automatically becomes a U.S. citizen on the date the last requirement is satisfied. There is no need for a separate naturalization process.

What Happens After Automatic Citizenship?

  • The child is not issued a U.S. passport or Certificate of Citizenship automatically.
  • Parents must apply for a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) or a U.S. passport as proof of citizenship.

Applying for a Child’s Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600)

If a child has acquired automatic U.S. citizenship, parents can apply for a Certificate of Citizenship as official proof.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

  • The child must meet the requirements for derivative citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act.
  • The child must have a green card and live with the U.S. citizen parent.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

To apply for a Certificate of Citizenship, you will need:
  • Child’s birth certificate (translated if necessary).
  • Parent’s naturalization certificate (if applicable).
  • Child’s green card (if born outside the U.S.).
  • Proof of parent-child relationship (court documents, custody orders, etc.).

Step 3: File Form N-600

  • File Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, with USCIS.
  • Pay the filing fee ($1,170 as of 2024).
  • Attend a biometrics appointment (if required).

Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Citizenship

Once approved, USCIS will issue a Certificate of Citizenship as proof of the child’s status. Parents may also apply for a U.S. passport as additional evidence.

Naturalization for Children Who Do Not Automatically Qualify

If a child does not meet the requirements for automatic citizenship, they may still apply for naturalization through Form N-600K.

Who Qualifies for Naturalization Under N-600K?

A child can apply for citizenship through expedited naturalization if:
  • The child has at least one U.S. citizen parent (by birth or naturalization).
  • The child resides outside the U.S. but is in the legal custody of the U.S. citizen parent.
  • The U.S. citizen parent must have lived in the U.S. for at least five years before the child was born (at least two years after age 14).

How to Apply for Citizenship Under N-600K

  1. File Form N-600K with USCIS.
  1. Schedule an interview (child must travel to the U.S. for the appointment).
  1. Take the Oath of Allegiance, after which the child receives a Certificate of Citizenship.

Special Cases: Adoption and U.S. Citizenship

Do Adopted Children Get U.S. Citizenship Automatically?

Yes, but only if:
  • The child was adopted before turning 16 (or before 18 if adopting siblings).
  • The adoption is legally finalized in the home country.
  • The child enters the U.S. on an IR-3 or IH-3 visa (which means both parents completed the adoption abroad).
If the child enters on an IR-4 or IH-4 visa, they must finalize the adoption in the U.S. before receiving citizenship.
For adopted children who do not qualify for automatic citizenship, parents must apply for naturalization using Form N-600 or Form N-400 (if over 18).

Common Questions About Child Citizenship

Does a Child Need to Take a Citizenship Test?

No. Unlike adults, children who acquire U.S. citizenship do not need to take the civics or English test.

What If the Child Turns 18 Before the Parent Naturalizes?

If the child is 18 or older when the parent becomes a U.S. citizen, they must apply for naturalization on their own using Form N-400.

Does a U.S. Birth Certificate Automatically Prove Citizenship?

Yes. If a child is born in the U.S., their birth certificate is sufficient proof of citizenship.

What Happens if a Child’s Citizenship Status Is in Question?

If there is doubt about whether a child has acquired U.S. citizenship, parents can file Form N-600 to obtain official confirmation.

Conclusion

Children of U.S. citizens can obtain citizenship in multiple ways, depending on where they were born, their immigration status, and their parents’ citizenship status.
  • Children born in the U.S. are automatically citizens.
  • Children born abroad may acquire citizenship if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen.
  • Children of naturalized parents may automatically derive citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act.
  • Adopted children must meet specific legal requirements.
If you are unsure about your child’s citizenship status or need help applying for a Certificate of Citizenship, an immigration attorney can guide you through the process.
Need legal assistance? ReferU.AI connects families with trusted immigration attorneys who specialize in child citizenship cases. Start your child’s journey to U.S. citizenship today.

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