Citizenship Cert: What is it?

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A certificate of citizenship is a document that provides proof of United States citizenship for those born or adopted by a U.S. parent or parents abroad. It is distinct from the forms of naturalization required for foreign-born citizens seeking to establish citizenship. Typically, the certificate of citizenship is issued to individuals born outside the United States to a US citizen father or mother, or both. This certificate is provided by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) division of the Department of Homeland Security.

Applying for citizenship by parentage involves completing a form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, which is available for download from the Internet, can be ordered by phone, or can be picked up at a local USCIS office in the applicant’s state. Completed applications can be submitted online, filed in person, or mailed to the field office. It is often advisable to make an appointment if filing in person. The Citizenship Certificate application requires a filing fee and may require follow-up interviews as requested by the USCIS officer assigned to the application. In some cases, and with the filing of another form, this tuition fee may be waived at the discretion of USCIS.

Applicants for a certificate of citizenship can be either the person requiring the certificate or the parents of the child requesting the documentation. Forms may also be completed and signed by an immigration specialist or social worker representing the applicant. Application questions include those relating to the applicant’s country of birth and current place of residence; date of arrival in the USA and documentation used for entry; and travel dates and details in and out of the country. Separate sections of the form ask for information about the applicant’s father and mother’s residency, marital history, and citizenship status.

Typically, a photograph of the applicant and copies of birth certificate paperwork must be filed with the application documents, and additional proof of status is detailed in the application instructions. If USCIS requests an interview, the applicant may be asked to complete and sign an affidavit before the officer signs the application. Processing times for receiving a determination and written confirmation of the award of a certificate of citizenship can vary, although a USCIS representative can provide an estimate based on the applicant’s field office and other variables.

Establishing the U.S. citizenship of the child’s parent(s) is essential when providing evidence of parentage status. Documentation must be translated and complete in order for citizenship certificate processing to begin, and incomplete applications can be halted and held in the system until all necessary documentation has been received. Providing false information is a serious matter for the Department of Homeland Security, and warnings about forgery of records are usually clearly marked on forms and in correspondence.

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