When is a US passport not sufficient...

[maya62 7]

Here is our situation: My husband is a new USC as of last month (yay!). Our son (my stepson) is 16 and came here with his dad on a K1/K2 visas in 2005. We have lived here together as a family since that time. So he is now, also, a USC. So here's my question:

Under what circumstances would a US passport (for our son) NOT be sufficient proof of his citizenship? It works for CPB/re-entry into the US, getting a driver's license under tighter DMV rules, opening a bank account, proving to an employer that one is a USC eligible to work, so who, precisely, would say "a US passport is not sufficient, you need a Certificate of Citizenship".

Has this actually happened to ANYONE, and what were the circumstances?

Thanks for any information about whether we actually need to spend more money!!

maya

[Gigli2008 70]

Here is our situation: My husband is a new USC as of last month (yay!). Our son (my stepson) is 16 and came here with his dad on a K1/K2 visas in 2005. We have lived here together as a family since that time. So he is now, also, a USC. So here's my question:

Under what circumstances would a US passport (for our son) NOT be sufficient proof of his citizenship? It works for CPB/re-entry into the US, getting a driver's license under tighter DMV rules, opening a bank account, proving to an employer that one is a USC eligible to work, so who, precisely, would say "a US passport is not sufficient, you need a Certificate of Citizenship".

Has this actually happened to ANYONE, and what were the circumstances?

Thanks for any information about whether we actually need to spend more money!!

maya

If a US passport has already been issued for your son, then that is all the proof he needs. Maybe I did not understand your question.

[Jupiter07 12]

So here's my question:

Under what circumstances would a US passport (for our son) NOT be sufficient proof of his citizenship? It works for CPB/re-entry into the US, getting a driver's license under tighter DMV rules, opening a bank account, proving to an employer that one is a USC eligible to work, so who, precisely, would say "a US passport is not sufficient, you need a Certificate of Citizenship".

maya

The answer is: NOBODY.

For my daughter who is 16 and a PR, the officer who interviewed me told me that a Cert. of Citizenship for her is NOT a requirement. He told me the advantage of having it is that if she lost her passport, that would be proof of her citizenship. But, I will get her a passport card too - which will be proof of her citizenship if she lost her passport.

The officer also told me that if I don't have a cert. of citizeship for her, when I apply for her passport, I have to provide evidence of her journey to citizenship. My take on this that, I have no problem with providing this evidence when applying for her passport. I have been providing evidence and more evidence throughout this process, what is hard about providing evidence of how my daughter is eligible for citizenship (when applying for her passport)?

My decision: I will NOT be applying for a cert. of citizenship for her. I am NOT ready to part with 600$ for N600.

[maya62 7]

I have read this forum for a while and have searched for information on this topic. I have seen, on several threads, inferences that there may be times/situations when a US passport will not be sufficient to prove that a child (who derives their citizenship from a naturalized parent) is now a USC. I have not seen anyone spell out a specific instance where this actually happened. In one thread, someone was asked to provide the name of an institution that they maintained had that requirement (a CofC). They did not return to the thread and provide details. So I am curious.

Of course I want our son to have whatever he needs to get along and thrive in this country, but I also don't want to spend $600 on a certificate that he may never need or use.

So I am asking for specific evidence that ANYONE has ever been told by anyone that their passport is not sufficient proof that they are a naturalized USC, and that they could not do or qualify for something without an official Certificate of Citizenship.

Thanks!

[maya62 7]

The answer is: NOBODY.

For my daughter who is 16 and a PR, the officer who interviewed me told me that a Cert. of Citizenship for her is NOT a requirement. He told me the advantage of having it is that if she lost her passport, that would be proof of her citizenship. But, I will get her a passport card too - which will be proof of her citizenship if she lost her passport.

The officer also told me that if I don't have a cert. of citizeship for her, when I apply for her passport, I have to provide evidence of her journey to citizenship. My take on this that, I have no problem with providing this evidence when applying for her passport. I have been providing evidence and more evidence throughout this process, what is hard about providing evidence of how my daughter is eligible for citizenship (when applying for her passport)?

My decision: I will NOT be applying for a cert. of citizenship for her. I am NOT ready to part with 600$ for N600.

Hmmm... I like that idea... getting the passport AND the card. Maybe I'll hold on to the card even after I let him have the passport. Might save us a lot of time if he loses the passport.

Thanks Jupiter07!

[Mountain Climber 186]

Hmmm... I like that idea... getting the passport AND the card. Maybe I'll hold on to the card even after I let him have the passport. Might save us a lot of time if he loses the passport.

Thanks Jupiter07!

With regards to saving money, would having only a passport card have the same clout as having a passport in proving US citizenship? I see that for children under 16 years old, US passports expire after five years. Seems like it would be cheaper to have passport cards for children until they are eligible to receive a 10 year passport, unless of course they do hold the same weight as passports. Just wondering.

[N400-2011 24]

The card holds the same weight to prove that the child is a citizen but cannot be used for international travel by plane. I got the card and the book for my son.

[nwctzn 55]

I have read this forum for a while and have searched for information on this topic. I have seen, on several threads, inferences that there may be times/situations when a US passport will not be sufficient to prove that a child (who derives their citizenship from a naturalized parent) is now a USC. I have not seen anyone spell out a specific instance where this actually happened. In one thread, someone was asked to provide the name of an institution that they maintained had that requirement (a CofC). They did not return to the thread and provide details. So I am curious.

Of course I want our son to have whatever he needs to get along and thrive in this country, but I also don't want to spend $600 on a certificate that he may never need or use.

So I am asking for specific evidence that ANYONE has ever been told by anyone that their passport is not sufficient proof that they are a naturalized USC, and that they could not do or qualify for something without an official Certificate of Citizenship.

Thanks!

Yes, just get the passport book and the passport card (as a back-up if the passport book is lost). Even the USCIS says that getting the passport is faster and more convenient when compared to N-600 since the passport is at the same time a travel document (and you need it anyway for international travel). And most importantly, it is much cheaper!!

See page 2 of USCIS Publication M-560: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/A4en.pdf

How do I apply to have my citizenship recognized?

You have two options:

[1] You can apply to the U.S. Department of State for a U.S.

passport. A passport is evidence of citizenship and also serves

as a travel document if you need to travel. For information about

applying for a U.S. passport, see the U.S. Department of State

website at www.state.gov.

[2] If you are already in the United States, you also have the

option of applying to USCIS using Form N-600, Application for

Certificate of Citizenship. However, you may find applying for

a passport to be more convenient because it also serves as a

travel document and could be a faster process.

Edited February 14, 2012 by nwctzn

[Jupiter07 12]

With regards to saving money, would having only a passport card have the same clout as having a passport in proving US citizenship? I see that for children under 16 years old, US passports expire after five years. Seems like it would be cheaper to have passport cards for children until they are eligible to receive a 10 year passport, unless of course they do hold the same weight as passports. Just wondering.

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

I believe the certificate would be needed if he ever wanted to petition anyone, ie a spouse from abroad or similar.

[nwctzn 55]

I believe the certificate would be needed if he ever wanted to petition anyone, ie a spouse from abroad or similar.

Nope, the US passport is sufficient. Below info is from USCIS for petitions:

If you are a U.S. citizen, you must demonstrate your status with:

A copy of your valid U.S. passport OR

A copy of your U.S. birth certificate OR

A copy of Consular Report of Birth Abroad OR

A copy of your naturalization certificate OR

A copy of your certificate of citizenship

[Jupiter07 12]

I believe the certificate would be needed if he ever wanted to petition anyone, ie a spouse from abroad or similar.

Don't they usually give diff. options for proof of USCitizenship e.g. Birth Cert (if you were born here), or US Passport ...etc?

Edited February 14, 2012 by Jupiter07

[NickD 202]

I didn't have much choice in this matter, thanks to long delays in our AOS process, stepdaughter barely turned 18, so had to wait an additional two years, apply for US naturalization herself, I paid the $680.00 and helped her with her civics test.

But what would happen is she was barely under 18? Would be in the position if she wanted to stay here to constantly tailgate her mom. Really don't know about the relationship you have to your stepson, for all I know, when he turns 18 may want to return back to his home country. If that is the case, that 600 bucks will really be a waste of money.

Been awhile since I have read the N-600 instructions, but believe that application has to be sent in before the child turns 18, really a magical age in this country, a parent no longer has any say in that future of that child. How does your husband and stepson feel about this? Believe this is more of a personal issue than anything else. Also during your husband's oath ceremony, won't take away your stepson's green card, that is surrendered when he meets with an IO to get his certificate.

My own stepdaughter at that age wasn't even sure she wanted to stay here, had to many fond memories of her childhood friends, so when she did turn 18, purchased a plane ticket for her so she could go back and visit all of them. If your stepson has the same doubts, can keep his ten year card and stay here then decide if he wants to pay that $680.00 himself if he wants to be naturalized. Something for you and your family to have a serious talk about.

[Jupiter07 12]

But what would happen is she was barely under 18? Would be in the position if she wanted to stay here to constantly tailgate her mom. Really don't know about the relationship you have to your stepson, for all I know, when he turns 18 may want to return back to his home country. If that is the case, that 600 bucks will really be a waste of money.

OP said son is 16. Why tailgate. And what does the cert of citizenship have to do with his travel back home? Sorry if am missing something in your post. Personally my daughter is 16 and I will not be filing for this cert. Nope. Nada.

Edited February 14, 2012 by Jupiter07

[newlyweds2010 208]

I would say that a US passport is enough proof that the holder is a US citizen. Unless they now give US passports to non-citizens. Obviously, if you lose your passport AND your card AND you forget the coffee on the stove, and it starts a fire which burns down your house including your immigration papers showing your process to naturalization, then you may be in deep doo-doo. But seriously?