Form N-600: Certificate of Citizenship (Derived or Acquired Citizenship)

Prove Your U.S. Citizenship — Even If You Didn’t Apply for It Directly

Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, is used by individuals who automatically acquired or derived U.S. citizenship through their U.S. citizen parent(s) — but were never issued an official certificate to prove it.

Many people are U.S. citizens by law but do not have a U.S. birth certificate or naturalization certificate. The Certificate of Citizenship formally confirms your citizenship status — giving you a secure way to prove your rights to live, work, and travel as a U.S. citizen.

✅ Who Should File Form N-600?

You may qualify to file Form N-600 if:
✅ You were born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent and automatically acquired citizenship at birth under U.S. law.
✅ You became a U.S. citizen automatically through derivation — meaning you were a green card holder as a child when your parent(s) naturalized, and you met all legal requirements to automatically derive citizenship.
✅ You need an official Certificate of Citizenship to prove your status to the government, employers, or when applying for a U.S. passport.

✅ How Do You Derive or Acquire Citizenship?

There are two main ways:

1️⃣ Acquired Citizenship at Birth (Outside the U.S.)
A child born abroad may automatically acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if at least one parent was a U.S. citizen and met the required physical presence in the U.S. before the child’s birth (requirements vary by time period and parents’ marital status).

2️⃣ Derived Citizenship After Birth (Inside the U.S.)
A child may automatically derive citizenship if all these are true before age 18:
✅ They were a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
✅ They lived in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of at least one U.S. citizen parent.
✅ Their parent(s) became naturalized citizens before they turned 18.

✅ Why File Form N-600?

A Certificate of Citizenship:
✅ Provides official proof of your citizenship status.
✅ May be required to apply for certain government benefits, jobs, or security clearances.
✅ Helps you get a U.S. passport without issues.
✅ Protects against future questions about your legal status.

✅ How the N-600 Process Works

📌 Step 1 — Confirm Eligibility:
Determine whether you acquired or derived citizenship under U.S. law. Requirements differ based on your birth date and the law in effect when you were born or when your parent(s) naturalized.

📌 Step 2 — File Form N-600:
Complete Form N-600 accurately. Submit it with the required fee and supporting evidence, such as:
✅ Your birth certificate.
✅ Parent(s)’ birth certificates or naturalization certificates.
✅ Marriage or divorce records (if needed to prove parental relationship).
✅ Proof of your lawful permanent residence (e.g., green card).

📌 Step 3 — USCIS Review:
USCIS will review your petition and may request additional evidence or an interview to verify your eligibility.

📌 Step 4 — Receive Certificate:
If approved, USCIS will issue your Certificate of Citizenship, providing you with secure, official proof of your U.S. citizenship for life.

✅ Who Commonly Files Form N-600?

🗂️ Children of U.S. citizen parents who were born abroad but didn’t get a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).
🗂️ Green card holders who automatically derived citizenship through a parent’s naturalization but never applied for proof.
🗂️ Adults who want formal documentation of their acquired or derived citizenship for jobs, government benefits, or security clearances.

✅ How USCIS Expert Helps

U.S. citizenship laws are complex, and proving derivation or acquisition can be challenging if documents are missing or the family history is complicated. At USCIS Expert, we help you:

✅ Confirm your eligibility under the correct legal requirements.
✅ Prepare and file Form N-600 accurately to avoid costly delays.
✅ Collect birth, marriage, and naturalization records — even for older or hard-to-find cases.
✅ Handle any requests for evidence or interviews.
✅ Secure your Certificate of Citizenship with confidence and peace of mind.

Claim the Proof You Deserve

If you are a U.S. citizen by law, you deserve official proof that no one can question. Let USCIS Expert help you get your Certificate of Citizenship — and open every door that U.S. citizenship provides.

✅ Contact us today to confirm your eligibility and start your Form N-600 application with trusted, expert support.