Form N-600, Certificate of Citizenship Explained
Form N-600 applies for a Certificate of Citizenship, proving U.S. citizenship. Essential for those who gained citizenship through parents, our guide simplifies the process, required documents, and ensures accuracy.
What is Form N-600?
Form N-600, officially known as the “Application for Certificate of Citizenship,” is used to obtain proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals born outside the United States to U.S. citizen parents. This form verifies your citizenship status, even if you weren’t born in the U.S. The Certificate of Citizenship is particularly valuable for obtaining a U.S. passport or securing immigration benefits for family members.
N-600 Processing Time
The average processing time for Form N-600 is between 4 to 22 months, varying by USCIS Service Center.
N-600 Cost
The filing fee for Form N-600 is $1,385. This fee may be waived for U.S. armed forces members or veterans, though not for adopted children or children of armed forces members
Eligibility for Form N-600
Who Can File Form N-600?
The Certificate of Citizenship is available for children born outside the U.S. to U.S. citizen parents, either biological or adoptive. To be eligible, the child must be under 18, residing in the U.S., and in the legal and physical custody of a U.S. citizen parent.
You will need to take the Oath of Allegiance when you receive the Certificate of Citizenship.
Who Cannot File Form N-600?
- Form N-600 is not for:
For green card holders planning to naturalize, Form N-400 ("Application for Naturalization") is required.
Required Documents
- When filing Form N-600, you must provide:
- Two passport-style photos (2-inch by 2-inch)
- The applicant's birth certificate or record
- Evidence of the parent's U.S. citizenship
- The U.S. citizen parent's birth certificate
- Additional documents may include:
- Proof of U.S. national status
- Evidence of required residence or physical presence in the U.S. for the U.S. citizen parent
- Marriage certificate of the U.S. citizen parent
- Proof of any prior marriages being terminated
- Proof of legitimation for children born out of wedlock
- Legal custody documents (if applicable)
- Proof of physical custody
- Copy of the permanent resident card or other evidence of status
- Final adoption decree and evidence of re-adoption
- Evidence of legal name changes
Once USCIS receives an application or petition, they’ll provide you with a 13-character identification number. You can use this to track the status of your application on the USCIS Case Status Online page
Filing Form N-600
You can file Form N-600 online or by mail. To file online, create a USCIS account and follow the instructions. For mail-in applications, print and sign the form, attach required documents, and send it to USCIS at one of the provided mailing addresses.
Form N-600 FAQs
Form N-600 is used to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship, which proves U.S. citizenship for individuals born outside the U.S. to U.S. citizen parents.
Eligibility includes children born outside the U.S. to U.S. citizen parents, who are under 18, residing in the U.S., and in the legal and physical custody of a U.S. citizen parent.
Required documents include the applicant’s birth certificate, evidence of the parent’s U.S. citizenship, and two passport-style photos. Additional documents may be needed based on individual circumstances.
Processing time typically ranges from 4 to 22 months, depending on the USCIS Service Center handling your application.
The filing fee is $1,385, though it may be waived for U.S. armed forces members or veterans.
No, if you are currently abroad, you should seek evidence of citizenship through a U.S. passport application instead.
Not all applicants are required to appear for an in-person interview. USCIS will decide based on the evidence submitted with your application.
After filing, you will receive a 13-character identification number to track your application status on the USCIS Case Status Online page.