How to Get a Certificate of Citizenship for Your Child

The Child Citizenship Act

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:

• 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.
  
  - 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.
  
  - 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.

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 ($200 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.