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How to Get a Certificate of Citizenship for
Your Child
The Child Citizenship Act
(CCA), effective on February 27, 2001, amends the Immigration and
Nationality Act (INA) to provide U.S. citizenship to certain
foreign-born children — including adopted children — of U.S. citizens.
In general, children who are less than 18 years of age and have at least
one parent who is a U.S. citizen whether by birth or naturalization,
benefit from this law. Under the law, qualifying children who
immigrate to the United States with a U.S. citizen parent automatically
acquire U.S. citizenship; children who live abroad acquire citizenship
by application.
U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the
Child Citizenship Act (CCA)
Program. The program will assist in the following ways:
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The CCA Program
became effective January 20, 2004. -- The program automatically provides Certificates of Citizenship, at
no extra charge, to adopted children who enter the U.S. on an IR-3 visa
within 45 days of entry into the United States. Children will no longer
be issued a Permanent Alien Resident Card.
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If the child is over 14 years of age, he/she is required to take
the oath of allegiance before the certificate of citizenship is issued.
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If the child entered the U.S. on an IR-4 visa the adoption must
be finalized in the U.S. through re-adoption before you can apply for a
certificate of citizenship.
My
child was
adopted between February 2001 and January 2004, therefore he/she did not
receive a Certificate Automatically. How do I get one?
If you feel that you need the certificate soon it is recommended that
you apply for the certificate using the
Form N-600
and previous system. CIS is exploring streamlining the process for
these in-between cases but has not yet determined the process or the
cost. It is likely that there will still be a fee involved with
applying for a certificate of citizenship but it is unclear if it will
be the current price or reduced.
My child entered on an IR-3 visa over 45 days ago but we still
haven't received his/her Certificate of Citizenship? What do I do?
Call the USCIS
National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 and give them
details about your case. This information will be forwarded to the
appropriate officers within USCIS who will follow up with you directly.
In addition,
you may obtain a passport
as proof of citizenship
for your child from the Department of State.
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NOTE: Please make sure to make
the check or money order payable to "U.S. CIS" or "U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services" and NOT to INS.
What forms do I file and what are the fees?
Form N-600,
Application for Certificate of Citizenship ($200 fee).
Purpose:
For an individual to document U.S. citizenship status based on citizen
parentage.
Note: Form N-600 must be the revised
form dated 11/15/02. Editions prior to that date will not be
accepted as of October 31, 2003. For more information
click here.
Form N-600K,
Application for
Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322
(roughly a $420 fee).
Purpose:
For a child who regularly resides abroad to claim U.S.
citizenship based on parentage.
Note: Form N-600K must be the revised
form dated 4/30/03 or later to be valid.
Where Should I File the Forms?
Submit the application to
the
BCIS District or Sub-Office with jurisdiction over your place of
residence.
What Resources Are Available to Answer Questions?
For more information about the CCA application
procedures and forms, you may go to the CIS Web site at
http://uscis.gov or contact their National Customer
Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.
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