The proof of U.S. citizenship application (N-600(k)) or U.S. passport application (DS-11) checklist below provides a general idea of what is usually needed for children to show that they are a U.S. citizen by birth. To have a better understanding of this list, please read the U.S. citizenship overview for the big picture and the U.S. citizenship by birth overview for details of how a U.S. citizen’s child can obtain U.S. citizenship through their U.S. citizen parent(s).
Please click to download the U.S. citizenship application (N-600(k)) or U.S. passport application (DS-11) checklist for children of U.S. citizens.
A person can be obtain U.S. citizenship by being born on U.S. land or being born overseas to U.S. citizen parents. Proof of U.S. citizenship applications are for children born to U.S. citizen parent(s) to obtain their U.S. citizenship. For children born on U.S. land, their U.S. citizenship is given to them by the U.S. land itself so the child’s parents do not need to be U.S. citizens themselves. For example, the child born on U.S. land will still be a U.S. citizen even though the child’s parents are both Taiwanese (noncitizens).
For children born overseas (outside the United States), their U.S. citizenship can be given to them by just having one parent being a U.S. citizen. For example, a U.S. citizen married a Taiwanese citizen overseas, the couple’s child would be able to obtain their U.S. citizenship through that one U.S. citizen parent. The child born overseas should be under 18 years old and the U.S. citizen parent should have physical and legal custody of the child. Certain adopted children can obtain U.S. citizenship through a U.S. citizen adoptive parent, however, step-children cannot. Generally, it is best to obtain a U.S. passport for the child as proof of U.S. citizenship.
The overall emphasis on the documents and requirements/criteria of the proof of U.S. citizenship application (N-600(k)) or U.S. passport application (DS-11) is showing where the child was born or whether the U.S. citizen parent spent enough time in the United States before the child was born.
HAVE A U.S. CITIZENSHIP IMMIGRATION QUESTION? CONTACT US
If you have a U.S. citizenship (U.S. citizen’s children obtaining their U.S. citizenship) related immigration question, please fill out our contact us form or send us an email with some basic information about your background and your immigration needs. We will do our best to respond within 48 hours.
How we can help?
Kylie Huang Law’s immigration attorney will help identify if the client is eligible to obtain U.S. citizenship. We will work closely with our clients to prepare their proof of U.S. citizenship application and we will also strategize on how the application should be presented in the filings and in the interview to achieve the best chances of approval. It is advised and common practice to retain an immigration attorney for certain unusual proof of U.S. citizenship applications due to the complexities in the immigration process and visa requirements.
What does the typical process look like to retain (hire) us?
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- Fill out the form (with some basic information on what your immigration needs are)
- Sign up and log into the client portal to schedule an appointment online
- Attend scheduled appointment (typically a phone call or zoom meeting)
- Retainment (signing a contract to hire us)
- Start processing case
- Gathering required documents
- Preparing paperwork
- Confirming contents of documents that will be submitted
- Filing the case
- Following up on the status of the case
- Close the case when a final determination is issued
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- Fill out the form (on what your immigration needs are)
- Sign up and log into the client portal to schedule an appointment
- Attend scheduled appointment (typically a phone call or zoom)
- Retainment (signing a contract to hire us)
- Start processing case
- Gathering required documents
- Preparing paperwork
- Confirming contents of documents that will be submitted
- Filing the case
- Following up on the status of the case
- Close the case when a final determination is issued
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- Step 2:
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- Step 5:
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- b.
- c.
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- Step 8:
- Fill out the form (on what your immigration needs are)
- Sign up and log into the client portal to schedule appointment
- Attend scheduled appointment (typically a phone call or zoom)
- Retainment (hire us)
- Start processing case
- Gathering required documents
- Preparing paperwork
- Confirming content of documents that will be submitted
- Filing the case
- Following up on the case status
- Close the case when a final determination is issued