Many newly naturalized parents may not realize that as soon as they completed the naturalization oath, their children may also have become citizens, by operation of law. This is an automatic process and no further application is necessary, provided these four conditions exist simultaneously:

1. At least one parent of the child must be a U.S. citizen, whether by birth or naturalization;

2. The child must be under the age of 18 years;

3. The child must be residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent. If adopted, a full and complete adoption must be in effect.

4. The child must be a Lawful Permanent Resident.

The above applies to all children who meet all four conditions at any time on or after February 27, 2001, in accordance with the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.

Children who automatically become citizens need a document to prove their citizenship. A parent may file an N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, for a child. However, the filing fee for this application is $185 (or $145 for an adopted child) and there is usually a very long processing time. There is a second option that is faster and less expensive: apply for a U.S. passport for the child.

Click here to obtain an N-600 from the website of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. For forms and information on how to apply for a U.S. passport, click here.

[back to top]