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I am USA citizen and my child is not. Can she get USA passport?

by Samra
(New York, New York)

Question: I became a U.S. citizen two years ago. My daughter is 14 and holds a permanent resident card. Can I apply for a U.S. passport for her without applying for naturalization?

Answer: Yes, you can. According to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 a child born outside of the United States automatically becomes a citizen of the United States when all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:

At least one of the child’s parents is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization;
The child is under 18 years of age;
The child is residing in or has resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence.child born outside of the United States automatically becomes a citizen of the United States when all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:

At least one of the child’s parents is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization;
The child is under 18 years of age;
The child is residing in or has resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence.

If your daughter has not been issued a Certificate of Citizenship by USCIS, the passport application must include the following proof of acquisition

of citizenship under the INA Section 320:

Proof of the child's relationship to the U.S. citizen parent. For the biological child of the U.S. citizen this will usually be a certified copy of the foreign birth certificate (and translation if not in English). In circumstances where it is not clear that the birth certificate is adequate proof of a biological relationship between the child and the U.S. citizen parent, other types of evidence, including medical and/or DNA tests, may be requested. For an adopted child, it is a certified copy of the final adoption decree (and translation if not in English);
Proof that the child is residing or has resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent(s) pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence. The I-551 stamp endorsed in the child's foreign passport or the child's permanent resident or “green” card will establish lawful admission for permanent residence, but not the fact that the child is residing in or has resided in the United States as required by INA 320(a)(3). Separate evidence establishing that the child has resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent(s) may be requested;
Proof that the child is or was under the age of 18 when all conditions are met.

Go to Apply for Child's Passport for a complete list of requirements.

Comments for I am USA citizen and my child is not. Can she get USA passport?

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U.S. passport through my father
by: Anonymous

Question: I started living in the United States when I was thirteen years old. I’m now 21 years of age, my dad became a US citizen before I was born. Am I eligible to apply for a U.S. passport?

Answer: Please contact the USCIS about establishing your claim to U.S. citizenship. Once this is done, you may apply for a U.S. passport.

Temporary Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello, six years ago my daughter was issued a temporary U.S. passport in Manila. I am a U.S. citizen, born and raised. She was 13 at the time. Long story short, life carried on I forgot about things. Kids went to school, life went on. She is now 19 and in high school.

Am I able to obtain a social security number and U.S. citizenship document for her? I need to find out what I can do because she is now pregnant and I need to get her insurance. The passport expired when she was 16. I really need help. She is intellectually challenged and cannot read so I have to do all of that for her.

Answer: Please contact the Social Security Administration regarding your daughter's SSN and the USCIS regarding proof of U.S. citizenship.

Minor's Citizenship
by: Anonymous

Question: My husband is a U.S. citizen and resides in the USA. I traveled outside the USA and gave birth to my son outside of USA at that time my husband was residing in USA and has had been there for 10 years already.

My husband had to settle down his business and shifted to different states so my son and I stayed outside of USA until he settled down. That took about 7 years and now my son is 5 years old. Both my son and I are outside of USA and my husband has finally settled down and started business in USA. Can he now apply for my son's passport from the USA?

Since my husband used to visit and go back every two years we havent applied for our son's citizenship or informed as we were waiting for my husband to settle down in one state. Is there anyway now that my husband being a U.S. citizen and currently residing there apply for my 5-year-old son's U.S. passport from within USA?

Answer: Your husband cannot apply for your son's passport in the United States if you are still overseas.

What he can do is contact USCIS about establishing your son's U.S. citizenship and getting proof of it.

Once you have proof, you may apply for your child's passport at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you currently reside. The child needs to appear in person with you when the application is submitted.

Your husband also has to be there with you but if for some reason, he is not available, he can send you a notarized Form DS-3053 to be submitted with the rest of the application requirements.

Citizenship under INA 320
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi! I am a US citizen by birth but since I was 1 year old, I have lived overseas.

I am married to a non U,S. citizen and we have 3 children all under 18 years old. I want to move to the U.S. without my husband to expand our business there and to also take the kids with me to acquire their U.S. citizenship. Would it be a problem since the law says:

Legal and Physical Custody of U.S. Citizen Parent

•A biological child who currently resides with both biological parents who are married to each other, living in marital union, and not separated;

And we are not divorced (and neither intend to be). Please advice if my kids will be able to get the US citizenship. Thank you in advance for your reply.

Answer: According to USCIS, A child of a U.S. citizen residing outside of the U.S. obtains U.S. citizenship if "the child’s U.S. citizen parent or U.S. citizen grandparent meets certain physical presence requirements in the United States or an outlying possession."

This can be a problem since you have been living outside the United States since you were a child yourself. Please contact the USCIS for further assistance regarding the matter.

About passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My dad was a citizen when I came to the U.S. I was 12 years old and a green card holder. I am 30 years old and married can i still file citizenship trough my father?

Answer: Please contact the USCIS regarding your concern.

U.S Passport
by: Sisi

Question: I'm 22 years old with a green card. My father became a U.S. Citizen when I was 17. I've been told I can apply for U.S passport without having to obtain a certificate of citizenship. What documents do I need to submit with my application other than (original green card, copy of original birth certificate and a certified English translation and the original Certificate of Naturalization for my father). Is there any other document I need to submit?

Answer: Please contact the USCIS regarding your concern.

My 17-year-old daughter
by: Moe

Question: I became a US citizen in 2016. My daughter is now 17 years old, she was born in Iran. Is she qualified for automatic U.S. citizenship or can I apply for her green card and bring her to the United States? She’s waiting overseas. If she’s automatically a U.S. citizen and I can apply for her U.S. passport without her dad being here, I can apply and she can fly to United States with her U.S. passport. Would you please comment?

Answer: Hello, Moe. Certain conditions must be met in order for a minor child of a naturalized citizen to automatically obtain U.S. citizenship. Please contact the USCIS for these conditions and for advice on how you can get your child to the United States.

US citizen
by: Karla

Question: Hello, I am a 19-year-old U.S. citizen but I don’t live in the U.S. (I lived there only 2 years after I was born in Orlando.) I am pregnant now and my fiance is not a U.S. citizen. Next year, after my child is born, we want to move to the US and live here.

Can we do a passport for my kid, or a green card? Or what is the best option? ( I read that my kid cannot be US citizen when I didn’t live in the US for long). Also I want to marry my fiance, can he also move with me on a working visa or can he get a green card or become a citizen?

I don’t know what is the best option for us when we want to live in Florida but they are not Americans like me.

Thank you for answer!

Answer: Please contact the USCIS for information about citizenship and immigration.

Child citizenship
by: Anonymous

Question: My wife just became a U.S. citizen. Does my stepson become a U.S. citizen as well or well we have to pay for him to become a citizen?

Answer: According to the Child Citizenship Act, a foreign-born child under the age of 18 automatically obtains U.S. citizenship when a parent is naturalized as long as certain conditions are met. Please visit the USCIS page on child citizenship for these requirements.

Citizenship
by: Edgardo

Question: I have been a U.S. citizen since 2003. I left the Philippines last October 2017 and I was there for 2 1/2 months. Before I left, my fiancé was 1 month pregnant with my child. Is my child automatically U.S. citizen? Can I file for my child's citizenship here in the United States or do I have to go back in the Philippines to do that? I am filing for a fiance visa for his mom but I need to make sure that he is coming with her? What do I need to do?

Answer: Hi, Edgardo. According to the website of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, it is preferable that the U.S. citizen parent be present when filing for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad soon after the child is born. You may then apply for the child's passport at the same time.

Once the child has a U.S. passport, there will be no issue for him to enter the United States.

Please note that there are certain requirements that you must submit when applying for the CRBA. Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila for more information.

Applying for Certificate of Citizenship
by: Heriberto

Question: My parents became citizens in 1999, I was 12 years old then and I never got a certificate of citizenship, just the US Passport. Is it necessary to apply for a certificate of citizenship using form N600? Thanks.

Answer: Hello, Heriberto. The U.S. passport may serve as your proof of U.S. citizenship. If you need to apply for a new passport and need evidence of U.S. citizenship, you may request for a file search instead.

U.S. passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a U.S. citizen through my dad. I was born in the Philippines. I have a consular report of birth abroad. I have a 16-year-old son who is currently residing in the Philippines. I gave birth of him a year before I came to the United States. Can I apply for his U.S. passport so he can be with me?

Answer: There are certain conditions that must be met for a child born abroad to obtain U.S. citizenship. We recommend that you contact the USCIS regarding your child's citizenship first and what you need to obtain a U.S. passport for him.

I need a passport or certificate of naturalization
by: Anonymous

Question: Please my mother became a US citizen last year 2017. I am living in Nigeria and I am 36 years. A married man. Do I also qualify to be a US citizen? What should I do to come to US immediately?

Answer: Only children under 18 years of age automatically acquires citizenship once a parent is naturalized.

Please contact the USCIS for questions about immigration.

I became a US citizen in 1990
by: Liz

Question: My daughter was 6 years old, when I became a US citizen, I never applied for a passport for her, she is now 32 years old can she still apply for a US passport?

Answer: Your daughter needs to get evidence of U.S. citizenship in order to apply for her U.S. passport. You need to contact USCIS for this.

Green card through my dead U.S. citizen father
by: Henry

Question: My father, born abroad from my American grandfather, he died before he submitted my green card petition. I live in the USA. Is there any way to get permanent residency from my relatives/ancestors?

Answer: Please contact the USCIS for concerns regarding residency and citizenship.

Certificate of Citizenship
by: Anonymous

Question: My wife and I became naturalized citizens in 2017. We applied for U.S. passports immediately. We also applied for our daughter's U.S. passport who was a permanent resident at the time. We all got our U.S. passports.

My question is, do we still need to apply for our daughter's Certificate of Citizenship even if she already has a U.S. passport?

Answer: There is no need to apply for a citizenship certificate. Your daughter's U.S. passport will suffice as evidence of U.S. citizenship.

Citizenship
by: Anonymous

Question: My father became a naturalized citizen 7 years before I was born. At 3 years old, mother and I became legal residents. I am now 31 years old, legal resident since 1988. Am I automatically a citizen by right? Or do I have to apply for naturalization?

Answer: Hi. The USCIS would be able to assist you better with your concern.

Born in the USA but living in different country
by: Anonymous

Question: Not U.S. citizen but our children were born in the United States. Can they still renew their passports? And can they still re-enter U.S. when they reach 18 yrs old? Can they still acquire their US citizenship at the age of 18 even though they have been living in another country?

Answer: You need to apply for new passports for your children at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you currently reside.

They may re-enter the United States without issues anytime as long as they arrive with valid U.S. passports. U.S. citizenship does not expire.

U.S. citizen
by: Anonymous

Question: I have been a U.S. citizen since 2010. I have a son in a different country. He was born in 2004. How can I make him a U.S. citizen? Does he become one by me becoming a U.S. citizen? I want him to come here I just want to know the process.

Answer: Hi. Please contact the USCIS for questions about U.S. citizenship by virtue of a parent becoming one.

Im a new Citizen
by: KrisCA

Question: Hi. I gave birth to my child in the Philippines while I was an immigrant and did not know I could have brought her back with me. She's now 9 years old. I have recently become a U.S. citizen. Can I get her a US passport now or do I have to petition her first to get a green card?

Answer: Hi. Please contact the USCIS for questions about U.S. citizenship by virtue of a parent recently becoming one.

Can I bring my kids
by: Ys

Question: I became United States citizen last year. My 2 kids were born in the United Kingdom.

My wife she was accepted to come to the USA.
Can my kids apply while here on a visa waiver? They can live in the USA for 90 days in the USA. Can I use that time frame to apply for them? I didn't add them on file while applying for my wife.

Answer: Your children need valid U.S. green cards or an I-551 stamp on their passports for you to apply for U.S. passports for them. Please contact the USCIS for more information.

Passport for my son and daughter
by: Jhaymes

Question: I am a naturalized American citizen through my dad. I’m a legitimate son, his only son. He died in the U.S. when I was only 3 months old in the Philippines. By that time, I was already naturalized (2002). My son and daughter are now 25 & 23 in the Philippines. Can they get a passport for them to be here with me in the U.S?

Answer: According to the USCIS, a child born outside the U.S. is a citizen after birth if he/she was under 18 from December 24, 1952 to February 26, 2001 AND he/she was residing as a Green Card holder in the U.S. and both parents naturalized before his/her 18th birthday or

-If one parent died, that the surviving parent naturalized before the child turned 18.

-If the parents legally separated, that the parent maintaining legal and physical custody naturalized before the child turned 18.

-If the child was born out of wedlock and paternity has not been established by legitimation, the mother naturalized before the child turned 18.

It seems that your children do not meet any of the conditions. Still, they can come to the United States using visas in their Philippine passports. Once in the country, you may be able to work on a more permanent status for them.

Can I get my son a passport?
by: Analyn

Question: Hi, I become a US citizen recently. I am planning to get my son a passport through my Naturalization Certificate as he automatically becomes a citizen, too. He is only 10 years old.

Can I apply using my naturalization certificate, his father's consent and his green card?

Answer: Yes, you can apply for your child's passport using the documents you mentioned. Please contact customer service at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.

Passport for my daughter
by: Jay

Question: Can I get my daughter a U.S passport without the certificate of citizenship? She was born abroad. I became a U.S citizen within a year after she was born. My wife and daughter resides with me now here in Texas.

Answer: Yes, you can. Under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, your child automatically acquires U.S. citizenship when certain conditions are met.

These conditions, as well as requirements for a U.S. passport are outlined in the following web page: Click Here

Appling for citizenship
by: Anonymous

Question: I got a green card in 2014 and have been living in U.S. since 2015. When can I apply for citizenship and my son's who also has a green card? My son had to stay out of the U.S. for 8 months to complete his studies. will he get citizenship automatically when I get mine?

Answer: Please direct all questions regarding citizenship to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office.

Claiming citizenship for 20-year-old kid
by: Anonymous

Question: I have been a U.S. citizen for the last 30 years but currently residing in Pakistan with my family. My son is 20 years old and I haven't been to the USA since his birth. Can I file citizenship for my son to study in the USA?

Note: I have a valid and recently-renewed US passport.

Answer: Please contact the USCIS for assistance in establishing your son's claim to U.S. citizenship.

Derive citizen
by: Anonymous

Question: I got my derived citizenship through my dad. I have my U.S. passport. I have not gotten my certificate of citizenship yet. Do I need it to get my wife her green card? Do I need to have the certificate of citizenship?

Answer: A U.S. passport attests to your U.S. citizenship. However, we cannot tell you if is enough to allow you to get you wife permanent residency. Please contact the USCIS for assistance.

Petitioning my son to stay in the U.S.
by: Stella A

Question: I'm a U.S. citizen and my son came here as a tourist at the age of 31. Can I file for him to stay with me?

Answer: According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website, a U.S. citizen may petition for his/her unmarried sons and daughters (21 or over) or married sons or daughters (any age) - Your son or daughter’s child(ren) and legal spouse may be included on this petition.

Please contact the USCIS for more information.

How to re-apply my case for my U.S. citizenship
by: Arnold M

Question: My grandfather was with the American Air Force during World War II and my dad is an American by birth. How come the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines did not issue any U.S. passport to me? They gave me permanent residency instead and I've been in the United States for 8 years now.

Answer: Please contact the USCIS for assistance in establishing your claim to U.S. citizenship.

Need help
by: Anonymous

Question: About 7 years ago my cousin was deported for a crime. I just found out his father was a U.S. citizen, when he was under the age of 18 yrs. What can I do to request a passport for him?

Answer: First you need to establish his claim to U.S. citizenship though the USCIS. Once this is done, he needs to apply for his passport in person at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country he is currently residing.

British Children
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm an American born and raised but my children have British Citizenship and were born in the UAE. How easy would it be to acquire US citizenship and passports for them?

Answer: Please contact the USCIS for assistance regarding establishing your children's claim to U.S. citizenship.

Help
by: Anonymous

Question: I was issued a US passport as a derivative of my parents. I found out a year ago I was not eligible for one because at the time I did not qualify (due to my age). I was stripped of my US "citizenship". How do I handle having a US passport that technically should not have been issued to me?

Answer: Please call 1-877-487-2778 to speak to a customer service representative.

Green card for baby born outside the U.S.
by: Anonymous

Question: My husband is a U.S. citizen and I am a green card holder. My child is born in India; is it possible to bring my child to the USA?

Answer: A child of a U.S. citizen born outside the United States may acquire U.S. citizenship if certain conditions are met. Please contact the USCIS for more information about citizenship for the child. If you are in India, you may visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

Citizenship through parent
by: Anonymous

Question: My daughter is 20. Is she able to apply a passport through my citizenship? Would i able to apply a U.S. passport for my daughter?

Answer: First, you need to establish your daughter's eligibility to U.S. citizenship through yours. Please contact the USCIS to see if your child has acquired U.S. citizenship.

Once your child's U.S. citizenship is established, she may apply for a U.S. passport on her own since she is of legal age.

Citizenship
by: Jonathan

Question: My father (US Citizen) petitioned me to become a LPR so i can derive citizenship, but I don't think I will get my immigrant visa in time because I am turning 18 in September. Can i still get citizenship? Or what can I do? I really want to become a U.S. citizen.

Answer: Please contact the USCIS for questions about obtaining citizenship.

Question
by: Vicki

Question: My parents became naturalized U.S. citizens before I turned 18. This was before 2004. I am 31 years old now. Does that make me a US citizen? I've been told I don't need to have the certificate of citizenship and that I can go to a passport facility to acquire my passport.

Answer: According to the USCIS, a child born outside the United States is a U.S. citizen if he/she was under 18 from December 24, 1952 to February 26, 2001 and was residing as a Green Card holder in the U.S. and both parents naturalized before the child’s 18th birthday. Please contact USCIS to confirm this.

Once you have established our U.S. citizenship, please apply for a Certificate of Citizenship which you can submit with your application for a U.S. passport.

Us passport
by: Oscar

Question: I'm a U.S. citizen. My sons are 15 and 17 and are permanent residents. Could I get them a U.S. passport? They have been residents since 2008.

Answer: According to the USCIS, a child born outside the U.S. is a citizen after birth if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen, the child is currently under 18 and residing in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent pursuant to lawful admission for permanent residence.

Based on this, your children qualify for U.S. citizenship. First, you need to file for a Certificate of Citizenship for them. Once you have this, you can use this as proof of U.S. citizenship when you apply for their passports.

Child over 18 now but came to the U.S at age 16
by: AnonymousJam

Question: Can the child child apply for citizenship even though the child is now 18? Also the child came to the U.S at age 16 but did not get a green card before age 18; the child attends high school and works as well for proof that the child was present in USA before age 18. Thanks in advance for the answer back.

Answer: Please contact the USCIS for concerns regarding citizenship.

Citizenship Concern for my Son
by: Anonymous

Question: I became citizen in 2012 .My son was living with me from 2007. The children's mother has custody of them when we got divorced in 2003. But my son migrated to the USA in 2007 and I am solely responsible for him. I applied for his United States passport and they are asking for proof of custody. Legally (on paper), I don't have custody but I physically took care of him all by myself. What do I have to do to resolve this mater.

Answer: We recommend that your consult an attorney about custody issues.

My daughter is 3-years-old and a green card holder.
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a US Citizen and my daughter is now 3 years old she received her green card and now we are in the US. I was told at the embassy that if she stays in the US for 6 months she can apply for naturalization. I wanted to know if that is true or I can apply for a passport for her.

Answer: Please call 1-877-487-2778 to speak with a customer service representative.

Green card.
by: Anonymous

Question: What do I need to do with my green card? I have become a citizen through my parents, I have my U.S Passport. I just don't know what I need to do with my green card.

Answer: Please contact USCIS.gov about green card issues.

List of documents
by: Anonymous

Question: I have tried to get school, medical or tax documents that prove that I was living with my dad when he got his certificate of naturalization but since it's been a long time ago no one keeps those records anymore or it doesn't have his name on it. Is there a list somewhere that can tell me what else I can provide. I called the customer service for us passport but they were no help and just told me an agent will call me, but couldn't tell me how long before they will call me. Any idea how long I have to wait?

Answer: Did you try contacting the U.S. Census Bureau to see if there was a census taken during that period?

If your father filed tax returns in the U.S. during the time you lived with him, he should have listed you as a dependent. You can request a record of a tax return for each year he filed and your own tax records if you worked and filed them at that time. If you order online or by phone, you should receive your tax return transcript within five to 10 calendar days. You should allow 30 calendar days for delivery of a tax account transcript if you order by mail.

Did you contact the schools that you attended? Many states require schools keep permanent student records for not less than 60 years. This record includes the student's name and parents' names.

Did your father keep any records from that time period? If so, look for documents that include both yours and your father's names.

Over 18 now
by: Anonymous

Question: I was under 18 when my dad got his naturalization certificate and i thought that only marriage certificate will be needed to proof that i was under his legal and physical custody but now they want more documents: combination of documents such as school, tax, medical, or court records that documents you were in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent(s) after you entered the United States for lawful permanent residence and before your 18th birthday." What are some examples of those documents?

Answer: Contact the schools where you studied and see if they can provide a transcript. It should include your parents' names. If you were employed and filed an income tax report, you can send a copy of that. Contact the U.S. Census Bureau to order a personal census record. Any doctor you visited before age 18 should have your record on file. Contact them to get copies.

My status
by: May

Question: Hello! My mom became a US citizen in Oct 1999. We were minors and green card holders and resided in the US for almost 2 years. but at the time my mom became a citizen, we were not residing in the US. Are we US citizens too? What can we do?

Answer: Please contact USCIS for answers to questions about US citizenship.

Certificate of citizenship
by: Nadia

Question: How about when renewing my son's passport. Don't they need the certificate of citizenship with the old passport?

Answer: No, a Certificate of Citizenship is not required if you submit his previously-issued passport.

Citizenship certificate
by: Nadia

Question: My son is 12 years old and he was per many resident of USA (he had a green card) and his dad is citizen. He got his US passport one year ago but not a certificate of citizenship. How can we get his citizenship certificate?

Answer: You can apply to get your son a Certificate of Citizenship. However, it is not necessary. A U.S. passport is proof of citizenship.

My son is 10 years old
by: Anonymous

Question: My son is 10 years old and he is a permanent resident of USA (he has a green card). Me and my wife are citizens of USA. Can he receive his US citizenship outside of US in the USA Embassy of my Homeland or he needs to come back to US to receive it?

Answer: A child born outside of the United States automatically becomes a citizen of the United States when all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:

* At least one of the child’s parents is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization;
* The child is under 18 years of age;
* The child is residing in or has resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence.

It is not necessary that your son be residing in the United States in order to obtain U.S. citizenship. However, you must prove that he did at one time reside in the United States.

His green card only proves that he was lawfully admitted to the United States. Separate evidence establishing that the child has resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent(s) may be requested.

Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance with this issue.

I'm a USA citizen and my son is 17 yrs old and a permanent residence. How can I apply for US passport?
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a USA citizen and my son is 17 yrs old. We're here in Korea because my husband works as a contractor. I applied for US passports for both of us but they said no to my son becaue they want us to submit a "Certificate of Citizenship"? What should I do? He's a permanent resident and I want get a US passport before he turns 18 next year. Please help me. What can I do?

Answer: It is not possible to obtain either a passport or a Certificate of Citizenship for your son if he is not residing in the United States. The N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship state the following conditions.

1. Your parent must be a U.S. citizen;

2. You must be the biological child of that U.S. citizen parent;

3. You must be lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; and

4. You must be living in the United States in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent.

These conditions must be met before the applicant turns 18 years of age.

My mother became a citizen before I was 18 but I'm 25 now.
by: Anonymous

Question: I know I waited too long for this but my aunt told me that's how she got her son's passport when she became a US citizen. I have all the proof needed to prove I'm a citizen through my mother. I would like to know if I can just go and get a passport without a citizenship certificate? If so, what do I need?

Answer: You should apply for a new passport at an application acceptance facility. Besides all the regular requirements, you need to submit the following.

Proof of your relationship to the U.S. citizen parent. For the biological child of the U.S. citizen this will usually be a certified copy of the foreign birth certificate (and translation if not in English). In circumstances where it is not clear that the birth certificate is adequate proof of a biological relationship between the child and the U.S. citizen parent, other types of evidence, including medical and/or DNA tests, may be requested;

Proof that you are residing or have resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent(s) pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence. The I-551 stamp endorsed in your foreign passport or your permanent resident or "green" card will establish lawful admission for permanent residence, but not the fact that you are residing in or have resided in the United States as required by INA 320(a)(3). Separate evidence establishing that you have resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent(s) may be requested;

Proof that you are or were under the age of 18 when all conditions were met.

18 year old applying for passport
by: Grainne

Question: Hello. We naturalized 2010 my daughter was 11, we applied for US passports and received them for us and her. She is now 18 her passport expired last week and she needs to renew or apply for a new one. She does not have a document of naturalization. Do we send her ours and her original birth certificate to support the application-will she ever get a naturalization certificate of her own or is it because she is now applying as an adult? Thanks.

Answer: Your daughter must apply in person for a new passport at an application acceptance facility. She can submit her previously-issued passport as evidence of U.S. citizenship. For more information, visit http://uspsg.net/newppt

U.S. citizen mom wants a U.S. passport for her 9 year old who carries a green card
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a US citizen and my 9-year-old holds a green card. I want to apply to get her a US passport. Can I do that? What form will I need to send? Where do I send them to and from where?

Answer: All passport applicants must prove both U.S. citizenship to be issued a U.S. passport. If your daughter does not have a Certificate of Citizenship, then you must submit the following.

* Proof of the child's relationship to the U.S. citizen parent. For the biological child of the U.S. citizen this will usually be a certified copy of the foreign birth certificate (and translation if not in English).

* Proof that the child is residing or has resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent(s) pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence.

* Proof that the child is or was under the age of 18 when all conditions are met.

For a list of other required documents, visit How to Get a Passport for a Minor.

For further assistance, contact the National Passport Inforation Center by calling 1-877-487-2778 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

my status
by: Anonymous

Question: So my mom has beat into me that I am a citizen cause she is. I am 17 and applying for colleges. I will soon become independent. So, would I still be a citizen? Or must I apply for my passport now?

Answer: If you were born in the United States, you are a U.S. citizen by birth. If you were born outside the United States, then you have automatic citizenship in the following circumstance.

You were residing as a Green Card holder in the U.S. and both parents naturalized before your 18th birthday; OR

If one parent died, that the surviving parent naturalized before you turned 18.

If the parents legally separated, that the parent maintaining legal and physical custody naturalized before you turned 18.

If you were born out of wedlock and paternity has not been established by legitimation, the mother naturalized before you turned 18.

If any of the above apply to you and you beleive that you do possess U.S. citizenship, then you need to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship. This serves as evidence of citizenship when applying for a passport.

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