is N600 the right form to use?

[ykowalski 11]

Hello, 

My wife became a citizen when her dad was naturalized before she was 18. 

Her proof of citizenship is her US passport, she was able to apply using her dad's citizenship certificate and a copy of her old green card, then she was able to renew it using the old passport to get a new one. 

We would like to have a certificate in hand, what is the proper way to do that? is it the N600? 

Would she have to go to Oath? I do not see the point of going to an Oath ceremony when she's already American.

Thanks in advance. 

[Going through 5,671]

She doesn't need to have a naturalization certificate, as her proof of citizenship is her passport.

However, yes, the N600 would be the way to go.   All N600 applicants over the age of 14 are required to attend an oath ceremony.

[CarlHamilton 252]

Why do you need "a certificate in hand" when she has a passport?  Are you aware the certificate costs over $1000?

[ykowalski 11]

1 minute ago, CarlHamilton said:

Why do you need "a certificate in hand" when she has a passport?  Are you aware the certificate costs over $1000?

Ok well what happens if she loses her passport? her only legal document that shows proof of citizenship is her passport. 

I am aware of the cost of the application, but I was thinking it was 600? I could be wrong. 

[Going through 5,671]

10 minutes ago, ykowalski said:

Ok well what happens if she loses her passport? her only legal document that shows proof of citizenship is her passport. 

I am aware of the cost of the application, but I was thinking it was 600? I could be wrong. 

If she loses her passport, she can still apply for a new one/replacement (she would need to fill out the DS-64 form along with the DS-11).  

A good idea for anyone with a passport (foreign or domestic) is to photocopy the bio page for your own records, should the need arise for it in the future.

 

The cost of the N600 is $1, 170.

Edited October 9, 2018 by Going through

[williamAR 17]

The Department of State already has her as a us citizen, a simple file search can confirm this,  the certificate of citizenship is just to use for your first time passport in some complex cases when is hard to identify is she was a us citizen, in this case is unnecessary, even if you want something else to prove us citizenship, is better to get a passport card from the department of state and save it in a safe place just in case.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/card.html

[CarlHamilton 252]

1 hour ago, ykowalski said:

Ok well what happens if she loses her passport?

Nothing.  She gets another one. 

[ykowalski 11]

Alright, thanks everyone, I stand corrected. I guess you really don't need a citizenship certificate once you have a passport. 

[Going through 5,671]

8 hours ago, ykowalski said:

Alright, thanks everyone, I stand corrected. I guess you really don't need a citizenship certificate once you have a passport. 

If she is planning in the future to sponsor her own relatives for a green card, etc.  then a naturalization certificate would come in handy.

Other than that, quite an expensive piece of paper that serves little else purpose and just sitting in a drawer/safety box somewhere.

[williamAR 17]

Certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, US passport, all are proof of us citizenship to sponsor a family member you don't need a certificate. Like I said before this certificate is just for your first US Passport

[Going through 5,671]

Just out of interests' sake, and further reading for the OP, I looked at the USCIS FAQ page for N600....

 

I already have a U.S. passport issued by the Department of State.  Am I required to file a Form N-600 for a Certificate of Citizenship? 

No.  You are not required to file a Form N-600 for a Certificate of Citizenship.  The Certificate of Citizenship is an optional form.  A validly issued U.S. passport generally serves as evidence of your U.S. citizenship during its period of validity unless that passport has been revoked by the Department of State.  However, you may be required to submit your Certificate of Citizenship when attempting to apply for certain other benefits, including, but not limited to:

• Social Security benefits
• State issued ID including a Driver’s License or Learning Permit
• Financial Aid
• Employment
• Passport Renewal

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/n-600-application-certificate-citizenship-frequently-asked-questions

[Calicolom 266]

I-129 asks for Passport and citizenship papers.

[geowrian 22,337]

54 minutes ago, Calicolom said:

I-129 asks for Passport and citizenship papers.

I-129F* (I-129 is an employment based petition for a work visa)

A copy of a valid US passport acts as evidence of US citizenship for petitioning purposes as well.

[ykowalski 11]

12 hours ago, Going through said:

Just out of interests' sake, and further reading for the OP, I looked at the USCIS FAQ page for N600....

 

I already have a U.S. passport issued by the Department of State.  Am I required to file a Form N-600 for a Certificate of Citizenship? 

No.  You are not required to file a Form N-600 for a Certificate of Citizenship.  The Certificate of Citizenship is an optional form.  A validly issued U.S. passport generally serves as evidence of your U.S. citizenship during its period of validity unless that passport has been revoked by the Department of State.  However, you may be required to submit your Certificate of Citizenship when attempting to apply for certain other benefits, including, but not limited to:

• Social Security benefits
• State issued ID including a Driver’s License or Learning Permit
• Financial Aid
• Employment
• Passport Renewal

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/n-600-application-certificate-citizenship-frequently-asked-questions

Thank you. I thought it was the same as Canada. If your passport has expired for more than a  year then you need a proof of citizenship to get a new passport (Birth Certificate/Naturalization Certificate)

[Going through 5,671]

4 hours ago, ykowalski said:

Thank you. I thought it was the same as Canada. If your passport has expired for more than a  year then you need a proof of citizenship to get a new passport (Birth Certificate/Naturalization Certificate)

If she's Canadian, she doesn't need to hold a Canadian passport to enter/exit Canada...she can enter/exit with her American passport if she doesn't want to renew the Canadian one.