Based on the issuance of a US passport, it's likely your friend is a US citizen. It is not acceptable to file Form N-600 unless the applicant is physically residing in the US. That is a possible reason that N-600 was denied. So it's likely this person continues to be a US citizen. Please note that this is not legal advice and your friend should have their specific situation reviewed by an immigration attorney for more definitive answers.

You are likely a U.S. citizen. You can review your situation here: citizenpath.com/citizenship-through-parents/. In order to obtain proof of your citizenship, you would need to applying for a Certificate of Citizenship using Form N-600 (citizenpath.com/form-n-600-guide/). However, you would need to be inside the United States in order to file this application and complete the process. Even if you used a B visitor visa to enter the U.S., you can do it as a visitor.

Based on the information you provided, it's not clear if you think you're already a US citizen. Depending on several factors, you may already be a US citizen. For help determining this, you can check citizenpath.com/citizenship-through-parents/. If you are a citizen, you would need to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship with Form N-600. To file this application, you must be in the United States. You could use your Canadian passport to enter the United States to apply and wait out this process.

Either way, you'll need your birth certificate. I would recommend that you try to recover it. This article can help you request a new birth certificate from your country of birth: citizenpath.com/civil-records-immigration/. Then, you have some options. From our experience, most people eventually need the Certificate of Citizenship at some point. There are advantages to the certificate that you can't get from a US passport: citizenpath.com/us-passport-limitations/

We're having trouble understanding your question. But it's true. The law has changed a lot over the years. You can only apply the law that was in effect at the time of the child's birth.

Hi. If one parent is a US citizen and the other is a foreign national, the citizen parent must have been physically present in the US or its outlying possessions for five (5) years, at least two (2) of which were after age 14. Based on your brief explanation, it doesn't sound like your child is a US citizen. Check with an attorney to be sure. Even if your child isn't a citizen, you do have the ability to return to the United States. Before doing so, you could petition your child for permanent resident status. Upon entering the US as a child (under 18) and residing with you, the child would automatically become a US citizen.

I see. I was in the US for 12 years before 14 though. This doesn't count?

Based on your brief description, it is possible that you could be a citizen based on the requirements outline at citizenpath.com/citizenship-through-parents/#at-birth-child. You should address this immediately. You may be able to obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) before the age of 18. Proving your father's years of residence in the United States will be more difficult now that he has passed. However, this will be easier if it can be done before you turn 18. I don't think your situation is something that we can help you with. If you are serious about this, I recommend that you contact an immigration attorney to review your situation and help you get it the CRBA.

Unfortunately, there's not an easy answer to your question. Your situation is complicated. Adoption plus the unlawful entry require legal analysis. We recommend that you work with an immigration attorney to sort through your situation and determine if the N-600 is worthwhile.

Unfortunately, a permanent resident child must be under the age of 18 when a parent naturalizes in order to automatically obtain citizenship through parents. It's likely that you parent's citizenship date will actually be a little later than the interview. The date citizenship is granted is the date of the oath ceremony. Although it is possible that the oath ceremony could be the same day, it is typically scheduled a few weeks after the interview. If you turn 18 before the oath ceremony, you'll likely need to apply for citizenship on your own. As you mentioned, you would apply just like your parent. File Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and go through the same process. Good luck!

The video provides an explanation at 1:34. Your child would need to be residing with you in the United States as a permanent resident. Once all things on the list are true at the same time, the child becomes a citizen. She would be able to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship at this point.

You didn't provide many details. If you believe that you may have been born a US, we have information at citizenpath.com/citizenship-through-parents/. Even if you are not a US citizen, you father can likely petition you for permanent residence (green card). He would need to file Form I-130 and submit proof that you are his adult child. You can learn about this at citizenpath.com/consular-processing-green-card/.

@@CitizenpathImmigration my father moved to the US as an asylum seeker and he had my name registered in the system as his son during the process before going to the US and when the time came for him to go to the US, I was not with him. So what's required and how long can the process take???

@@EmmanuelPhiri-rh6pb A US citizen may petition a child, but you may have some challenges if your father is not listed on the birth certificate or can't show legitimation (such as child support payments) to help raise you. It doesn't sound like you are a citizen. I recommend that you speak to an immigration attorney about your specific situation.

If you were a permanent resident who lived with your citizen father in the US before the age of 18, you are likely a US citizen. But you'll generally need the Certificate of Citizenship in order to get the American passport. Review this page to make sure you qualify: citizenpath.com/how-to-become-a-citizen-us/. The Certificate of Citizenship documents "when" you acquired your citizenship. As you mentioned, you can obtain the certificate by filing Form N-600.

It sounds like you have a complicated situation. An immigration attorney really needs to analyze your specific situation for you to get an accurate answer.

Yes, it does add a degree of difficulty. But if the father has maintained a relationship with the child (generally financial and nurturing), it's still possible for the child to establish citizenship. The applicant must father this evidence of "legitimation."

@@CitizenpathImmigration this is my problem LEGETIMATION I'm good with everything except legitimation my father cooperates with everything but legitimation brings us to dead end.

Same here

😢

What would be evidence of legitimation? What would I have to do exactly to prove a child born abroad outside of marriage was mine and a citizen of the United States because the child is mine and I was born in the USA?