Question about N-600 and passport

[Irrelevant 1]

I always hear conflicting info/opinions about this...

I will tell you my story; I got my passpots about (8?) years ago when my parent were naturalized. I havent yet applied for n600. with just the passport as my proof of USC, my wife has had her IR1 visa approved (see timeline below ). Infact the i-130 specifically asks you that if you obtained USC through parents, have you obtained certificate? to which i marked no... doesnt seem to be an issue with USCIS, evidently.

I had also heard(no particularly reliable source, mind) that there has been a supreme court ruling that valid US passport is CONCLUSIVE proof of citizenship.

SO my question is-- WHAT is EVER the need for n600 for someone who intends to always maintain a valid passport? ( can't imagine not visiting for 10 years straight... especially not now with a wife who has all family in Pakistan )

I'm trying to find a reason to justify that near-500 dollar expense, and I just don't see one.

Any thoughts?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Usually I keep my thoughts private, but since you asked so politely, I'll share them with you.

You are correct, your US passport is conclusive proof of US citizenship, with a few very limited instances where enough isn't enough. Luckily, USCIS isn't one of them. You don't need the N-600. You mark correctly that you have not obtained a Certificate of Citizenship. End of story.

By the way, the cost of the N-600 is now $600. Easy to remember!

Edited June 30, 2011 by Just Bob

[Irrelevant 1]

... with a few very limited instances where enough isn't enough...

Basically, I'm trying to find out what those limited instances might be, if you could provide some hints

LOL yeah good to know I can mark a NO correctly thanks for that

Edited June 30, 2011 by Irrelevant

[Irrelevant 1]

By the way, the cost of the N-600 is now $600. Easy to remember!

OUCH- did not realize that. Last I checked around the time I was filing i-130 in August, it was 460. Brutal.

[Irrelevant 1]

*BUMP*

so... does anyone what those few specific situations are where one would need cert of citizenship and a valid passport would not work?

[ezzie 7]

*BUMP*

so... does anyone what those few specific situations are where one would need cert of citizenship and a valid passport would not work?

Hopefully, someone can provide clarification, as I have the same question. From hearsay, I was told that there would be problems in College. Wish someone could shed light, or share actual experience.

[NickD 203]

Hopefully, someone can provide clarification, as I have the same question. From hearsay, I was told that there would be problems in College. Wish someone could shed light, or share actual experience.

In effect my stepdaughter did receive her USC through her mother being a naturalized citizen, her mother gained her US citizenship through me, because I married her. But because she was over 18 years of age, neither her mother or I did not have any say in her getting her citizenship, didn't have to show any evidence in that respect, just her green card that is strictly her own. But she needed that certificate to get her first US passport. Children under 18 can do the same without that certificate, but need to send all the original proof they are offspring of that naturalized citizen.

We got her passport first, buried her certificate, and she is using that passport for everything else, including college, DMV, social security, voters registration, job application, etc. Even when her passport expires, she doesn't need that certificate again, can just renew it. So I can't say you need that certificate for anything else as long as you have a US passport. But she sure needed it the first time. Children under 16 years of age can also get that passport without a certificate, but a whole stack of original documentation has to be sent to the DOS to get it, including that court letter of permission from that other biological parent that has to be sent via the mails with the possibility of getting lost. Risky in my opinion and experience, with the USCIS, can just send in copies and bring the originals in. But in either case, just dealing with one officer making that decision and may either be good or bad.

In many aspects the DOS is operating in parallel with the USCIS or working together with them. In the case of my wife petitioning for her unmarried son, all applications and proof had to be sent to the USCIS, but out of their hands now, we are waiting for the DOS to make up their minds. Crazy when you have to deal with two different agencies, but at least only two. If you want to drill for commercial use of natural ground water, have to deal with 39 different governmental agencies as just one example.

This country has gone crazy with agencies, all arrogant, feel like they hold your life or death in their hands, for the most part, idiots and not even capable of holding a job in private industry, but you have to bend over backwards to please them.

Not quite as bad as getting my wifes' passport renewed in Colombia, won't let you do it yourself, have to hire crooked notaries that take you to the cleaners, and I mean royally.

[NickD 203]

Other thoughts with the N-600, those so-called US citizen kids still have green cards, do they have to file an AR-11 if their parent move? What about the petitioner of those kids, still responsible for that I-864 he had to sign? What happens when those green cards expire, do they get into trouble with the USCIS?

Just some questions, still an open book with the USCIS, an N-600 will close that book. Any thoughts or experience on these issues?

Wife was told she is a US citizen just like she was born here. That was a load of #######, still have to maintain citizenship in her home country and can't run for president.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

*BUMP*

so... does anyone what those few specific situations are where one would need cert of citizenship and a valid passport would not work?

In instances where you apply for a license to kill: CIA, FBI, secret torture squadrons, military intelligence. I could tell you more, but then people would try to kill you. Better not dig any deeper into this.

Hopefully, someone can provide clarification, as I have the same question. From hearsay, I was told that there would be problems in College. Wish someone could shed light, or share actual experience.

Problems in college are mostly related to not studying enough. Most certainly they have nothing to do with the lack of a Certificate of Citizenship. About 260,000,000 of all Americans don't have one, and quite a few of them are college graduates.

[NickD 203]

Problems in college are mostly related to not studying enough. Most certainly they have nothing to do with the lack of a Certificate of Citizenship. About 260,000,000 of all Americans don't have one, and quite a few of them are college graduates.

Stepdaughter had to prove she was here legally, either with a college visa, LPR card, or her US certificate. Could depend upon your university. Universities will break their backs to get you a college visa to come here to study, because they get to charge you full price for tuition.

[Irrelevant 1]

In instances where you apply for a license to kill: CIA, FBI, secret torture squadrons, military intelligence. I could tell you more, but then people would try to kill you. Better not dig any deeper into this.

Problems in college are mostly related to not studying enough. Most certainly they have nothing to do with the lack of a Certificate of Citizenship. About 260,000,000 of all Americans don't have one, and quite a few of them are college graduates.

LOL x2

*Digs deeper*

Tell me more

Ok so you only need one if you're crazy. Got it.

[NickD 203]

LOL x2

*Digs deeper*

Tell me more

Ok so you only need one if you're crazy. Got it.

Us born in the USA folks, by the way, that wasn't done by choice either on our part, just worked out that way. Only have a birth certificate as proof of US citizenship. Doesn't even have our photo on it, just more recently have been adding foot prints, fingers are too small for fingerprints. Saw those recently on my new granddaughters birth certificate, isn't that cute, such tiny little feet. But really don't have the slightest idea if those can be used for identification or not. Photo ID's sure don't work, comparing photos of her when first born to recent ones a the ripe old age of two years old. Not even a distant resemblance.

They did put on an ID band on her ankle when she was first born, but mainly for the hospital identification, that came off two days later when she came home. I recall filling out the applications when my kids were born, don't recall showing any proof of my identification, they just took my word for it, doctor signed it, you know doctors can't write, and was registered at the county court. Really don't believe a science exists for the proper identification of infants.

Was surprised to see my stepdaughters birth certificate, done by her dad some 18 months after she was born at a notary signed by two witnesses that what he said was true. But was loaded with typos that cost a small fortune to correct in a Venezuelan court of law. But what the heck, USCIS accepted it, after it was certified translated into English.

Actually believe the only thing the USCIS and DOS looks at, on your birth certificate, is your place of birth. If not in the USA, have to fill out a whole bunch of forms and pay a lot of money to get another piece of paper.

[etripke 0]

My wife took her oath yesterday so now begins our quest for passport(s). My stepdaughter is 14 and about to start high school. We need to get her a US Passport based on her being the child of a US Citizen. Unfortunately for us, Ukraine does not issue any type of divorce settlement paper when the divorce is mutual and agreed upon. In other words, my wife was granted custody based on her Ex's agreement and that was that. Her Ex did have to provide the appropriate permissions for my stepdaughter to immigrate, and also provided written documentation with notary indicating he was surrendering his parental rights so that I could adopt my stepdaughter for the purpose of citizenship.

We are of the belief that this will be enough for the passport. My wife's Ex has had NOTHING to do with his daughter since the divorce nearly 10 years ago, no cards, letters, or attempts at contact. He was VERY hard to find to get the documents we did from him and that was under the threat of having to pay for child support. I think that establishing this and providing taxes, school records, and a sworn affidavit from my wife regarding the lack of contact and inability to find her Ex, should hopefully be enough.

Anyone with tips or suggestions........?

[NickD 203]

My wife took her oath yesterday so now begins our quest for passport(s). My stepdaughter is 14 and about to start high school. We need to get her a US Passport based on her being the child of a US Citizen. Unfortunately for us, Ukraine does not issue any type of divorce settlement paper when the divorce is mutual and agreed upon. In other words, my wife was granted custody based on her Ex's agreement and that was that. Her Ex did have to provide the appropriate permissions for my stepdaughter to immigrate, and also provided written documentation with notary indicating he was surrendering his parental rights so that I could adopt my stepdaughter for the purpose of citizenship.

We are of the belief that this will be enough for the passport. My wife's Ex has had NOTHING to do with his daughter since the divorce nearly 10 years ago, no cards, letters, or attempts at contact. He was VERY hard to find to get the documents we did from him and that was under the threat of having to pay for child support. I think that establishing this and providing taxes, school records, and a sworn affidavit from my wife regarding the lack of contact and inability to find her Ex, should hopefully be enough.

Anyone with tips or suggestions........?

Sounds like the same messy situation we were in, but my stepdaughter was 13 when she came here, that was a mess getting permission from her biological father that didn't even live in his home country for permission to come here. Then for travel, was out of the question for her, with or without US citizenship, still needed her home countries passport to leave and enter, but as a green card holder could only get her home countries passport and even with all the proof of full custody at her homes' country consulate here, they refused to issue one to her without her biological fathers consent that he refused to give. But would ###### like crazy since she couldn't go down t o visit him. Fortunately, he couldn't come up here.

But if she did enter her home country under 18 years of age with her home countries passport, she could never leave without his permission. And even if she had a US passport, her place of birth would be on it, and wouldn't even admit her without her home countries passport. We had no choice but to wait until she was 18 so could get her own passport without his permission or even ours as far as that is concerned. Actually, that time went by pretty quick with school, vacations, and boys in her life. And since she was under 18, didn't have to carry a green card with her. During this time, really learned how to be an American.

I don't know about your country requirements for a child entering or leaving, can find all the nasty details at the DOS site, 200 different countries, and 200 different set of rules. But would certainly look into that even before applying for a US passport. Unless you are planning on traveling anywhere else in the world except your home country.

In regards to the N-600 application, they already have all the information on your child if you want to wait longer for them to dig it out, but really not that much evidence is required and just copies can be sent. In regards to the DOS, a different agency entirely, you are starting from scratch with them, and that permission thing may be an issue, plus they will want all originals that they may lose.

If no travel is desired, could also wait for the kid to turn 18 and apply for the N-400, eighty bucks more and even faster than the N-600, the kid already has a green card, and that besides money, that is all that kid needs.

So this gives you three options, choose the one that best fits your case. Ha, Justbob is the only one on this board that is against the N-600, but he still never answered my question about him having kids he brought over. Bringing my wife here was a snap, but her daughter was loaded with complications and expense, paying that extra 600 bucks so she would be like her mom would be nothing for me. But she barely turned over 18 due to excessive delays and misplacing of applications so had to go the N-400 route anyway. It was my promise to her to take care of the burden all the way through the process. She visited her home country last June, asked her how it was, was good seeing relatives and old friends again, but glad to be "home" again. The USA is her home with no intentions of going back.

[sib 7]

If you adopted your stepdaughter and she lived with you and she had a valid immigrant visa at the time of the adoption she probably gained citizenship already through the adoption. When did you adopt your daughter? Did you apply for a Certificate of Foreign Birth? This will show you as father but will not be valid for citizenship.

I don't know the state you are in but in my state (FL) an adoption ends the parental rights of the birth parent(s), so in the Certificate of Foreign Birth (their US birth certificate) I am listed as their mother. We also changed their last name with the adoption so SS needed to be changed too. They also needed to change the information regarding their status (US citizen).

I adopted my husband's children and they got passports isssued because of the adoption. They still are in removing of condition right now (I was explained by an immigration officer that they need 10 year greencards to be issued a certificate of citizenship).

I had to send in proof that they lived with me, that I acted as a parent, the adoption decree and a lot of other stuff I really did not want to give out of my hands (their passports with entry stamps!), but luckily everything came back and also their US passports.

Sib