Planning ahead: Applying for citizenship for wife and minor kids

[mishab 1]

Hi all,

Back in September 2013 we applied for the condition removal (i751) as my wife's and her 2 daughter's temporary green cards are set to expire on Dec 5th (2 years wait). We got the 1 year extension letter before the government shutdown and now are awaiting the interview or the new cards.

I want to start planning for applying for US citizenship for my wife and possibly her daughters. I am very confused about my wife's kids eligibility for applying for US citizenship. Especially I want to know if the kids are eligible to apply for US Citizenship together with my wife (after 3 years).

Next year the kids ages will be: 12 and 15, which according to some sources enables them to apply together with my wife, however the eligibility requirements on the INS site state that the person must be 18 years old. I also read about filing form N-600 to apply for the certificate.

I have not legally adopted the kids, therefore I am not eligible petition for them, only their mother will be able to petition, after she becomes the US citizen (possibly 2015).

Can someone familiar with this process shed some light on this? Any advise would be great.

Thanks

[aleful 1,905]

hi

they don't apply together, since they are under 18, once your wife becomes a USC, she can derive her citizenship to her daughers. They can get their US passport and if you decide to get a certificate for each of them, that is the N600. but everything is after your wife has the Oath Ceremony and gets her certificate of naturalization.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Under the Child Citizenship Act, the children will automagically become US citizens on the same day your wife naturalises, provided they are: (i) under 18 on that day, (ii) have a green card, (iii) have at least one American parent (your wife), and (iv) live in the legal and physical custody of that American parent.

You can apply for a Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS for them, but it's ~$500 per child and usually not a great idea. Instead, you can jump right to a US passport, which will also serve as proof of US citizenship for them.

You can read more details, including how to apply for a passport for them, here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1312.html#7

Edited December 2, 2013 by Hypnos

[Jamericanlove 31]

Like the poster above said, once your wife becomes a citizen and both of the kids are still under 18 years they automatically become citizens as well. However, you will have to get a N-600 or passport for each of them as proof of this. If one or both of the children are over 18 on the day their mother takes the oath, they must apply for citizenship on their own.

Edited December 2, 2013 by Jamericanlove

[mishab 1]

This is awesome! Thank you!