Citizenship Through a Parent (Form N-600)

Name: J. Lee & Associates Law Group
Address: 1250 Tech Dr, Suite 240, Norcross, GA, 30093, US
Telephone: (770) 609-9396

Many children of U.S. citizens are already citizens by law and do not know it. Form N-600 asks USCIS for a certificate that proves it.

Case Evaluation →(770) 609-9396

Immigration News

USCIS · EOIR

LatestU.S. Department of StateNov 1, 2026

November 2026 Visa Bulletin: read the official monthly update

The Department of State has published its November 2026 Visa Bulletin, with family and employment preference charts. Open the official bulletin for the dates and USCIS filing-chart link. A date on a chart alone does not decide whether you may file.

USCISAdjustment of Status (Green Card): Rules and Filing Charts Keep ChangingJul 1, 2026 USCISHumanitarian Protections Remain Available: U-Visa, T-Visa, and VAWAJul 1, 2026 USCISCuban Parole Pathways: Confirm the Current Status Before You Rely on ThemJul 1, 2026 EOIRImmigration Court Practices Vary by Location: Local Representation MattersJul 1, 2026

See all immigration news →

Official U.S. sources (USCIS, EOIR, Federal Register). Not legal advice. Consult an attorney about your specific situation.

There are two ways to get citizenship through a parent without naturalizing. The first is at birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent (INA §§ 301 and 309). The second is derivation after birth, which the law calls automatic acquisition (INA § 320).

Under current law, a child born outside the United States automatically becomes a citizen when all of these are true: at least one parent is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization; the child is under 18; the child is a lawful permanent resident; and the child lives in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent (INA § 320). The order does not matter: citizenship begins on the day the last condition is met.

This rule comes from the Child Citizenship Act, in effect since February 27, 2001. It applies when all the conditions are met on or after that date and before the child's 18th birthday. If you turned 18 before that date, older and different rules apply, such as former section 321. The rules depend on your date of birth.

Derived citizenship needs no application: it happens by law. But to prove it you need a document. A Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) or a U.S. passport serves as proof.

Steps You Should Take

Gather the key dates

Your date of birth, the date you became a permanent resident and the date your parent became a citizen.

Gather the documents

Your birth certificate, your parent's proof of citizenship, your parents' marriage certificate or divorce and custody papers, and your green card.

We review which law applies

We compare your dates with the law in effect at each point to confirm whether you are already a citizen and how to prove it.

We prepare the N-600 or passport application

We prepare the application with proof of each requirement and go with you if USCIS schedules an interview. Call us at (770) 609-9396.

Frequently Asked Questions

My father became a citizen when I was 15 and I had a green card. Am I a citizen?

Possibly. If at the same time you were under 18, a permanent resident and living in the United States in that parent's legal and physical custody, current law made you a citizen automatically. The dates and custody documents need to be reviewed before reaching that conclusion.

Do I need an N-600 to be a citizen?

No. If you met the requirements, you are already a citizen by law. Form N-600 asks USCIS for a certificate that proves it. A U.S. passport also proves citizenship.

How much does the N-600 cost?

According to the official USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055, checked November 11, 2026), the fee is $1,385 on paper or $1,335 online. The fee is $0 for a current or former member of the U.S. armed forces requesting the certificate for themselves; children of service members do not qualify for that exemption. It is also $0 for certain adopted children who meet the definition of child in INA § 101(b)(1)(E), (F) or (G). Fees change: confirm the amount at uscis.gov/g-1055 before you pay.

What if my parents were not married, or were divorced?

Legal and physical custody is a key requirement. The rules for children of unmarried, divorced or separated parents are specific, and USCIS reviews the custody documents and the law that applied. It is one of the parts of a case we review most carefully.

Do adopted children or stepchildren qualify?

An adopted child can qualify if the adoption meets the requirements of immigration law (INA § 101(b)(1)). According to USCIS, a stepchild does not qualify through the stepparent unless the stepparent adopts the child.

What if my child lives outside the United States?

Children who live abroad use a different process, Form N-600K (INA § 322). We explain whether it applies to your family.