about to submit N-400 for my wife, but have questions about the procedure for her 16 y.o. son

[msamulski 0]

Hi. I am an American citizen. My wife and her son came to the USA through K1 and K2 visas in 2013. We have a nearly completed her draft of the N-400 application, but I have some questions about the timeline and process with regard to completing the naturalization process for her 16 year old son.  

 

Her son's greencard doesn't expire until 2026, but a few weeks ago when I took him to the Department of Motor Vehicles to test for his driver's learning permit, I learned that I should have renewed his greencard upon his 14th birthday. The DMV officer told me that the son cannot get a driver's license or learner's permit because the picture on his greencard cannot be older than his 14th birthday. However, the DMV officer told me that the picture identification associated with his naturalization certificate would qualify him for the state driver's license ID requirement.

 

At this point it seems that I should just move forward with the naturalization process for both of them rather than pay the $500+ to renew the 16 year old son's greencard.

 

 

As we neared the end of the N-400 online application, we were prompted that the total fee for her N-400 with biometrics would be $725. Is it cheaper to print and mail the N-400 and associated support documentation? But more importantly, do I need to include any additional fee at the time I submit my wife's N-400 to cover her son's eventual involvement with this process?

 

Is there any procedure or process I should be addressing for my wife's son's citizenship while we are carrying out and waiting to for my wife's naturalization to be approved? Is anything simultaneous, or do we just submit her N-400 and then complete the process for her before we begin seeking his citizenship certificate?

 

All replies will be appreciated. I have more questions after this, but I didn't want to overwhelm on my first posting to this forum.

 

Mike

Edited August 1, 2020 by msamulski

[HRQX 4,145]

51 minutes ago, msamulski said:

As we neared the end of the N-400 online application, we were prompted that the total fee for her N-400 with biometrics would be $725. Is it cheaper to print and mail the N-400 and associated support documentation?

No. It's the same price no matter how she files: "$640. (Add the $85 biometric fee for a total of $725"

If she files online she would get the receipt notice faster.

51 minutes ago, msamulski said:

However, the DMV officer told me that the picture identification associated with his naturalization certificate would qualify him for the state driver's license ID requirement.

Assuming she completes the whole process (including taking the oath at the ceremony) before he turns 18, he'll automatically become a citizen and thus be eligible for a US passport (also eligible for a Certificate of Citizenship but it's optional and expensive). In that case, US passport should be accepted by DMV as ID.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/Intercountry-Adoption/adopt_ref/adoption-FAQs/child-citizenship-act-of-2000.html

 you will need to present the following when applying for your child's U.S. passport:

• Proof of the child’s relationship to the U.S. citizen parent. For the biological child of a U.S. citizen, this generally will be a certified copy of the foreign birth certificate (and a translation if the birth certificate is not in English). For an adopted child, you must submit a certified copy of the final adoption decree (and a translation if the decree is not in English);
• Proof the child is admitted as a lawful permanent resident, such as the child’s foreign passport with a I-551 stamp, or the child's permanent resident card (green card);
• Proof of identity and citizenship of the U.S. citizen parent(s);
• Evidence the child is residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent;
• Completed Form DS-11 and supporting documents.

 

 

 

 

If she completes the process after he turns 18, he'll need to file his own N-400. Reminder that he can't submit N-400 before turning 18.

Edited August 1, 2020 by HRQX

[Liam2021 583]

47 minutes ago, msamulski said:

Hi. I am an American citizen. My wife and her son came to the USA through K1 and K2 visas in 2013. We have a nearly completed her draft of the N-400 application, but I have some questions about the timeline and process with regard to completing the naturalization process for her 16 year old son.  

 

Her son's greencard doesn't expire until 2026, but a few weeks ago when I took him to the Department of Motor Vehicles to test for his driver's learning permit, I learned that I should have renewed his greencard upon his 14th birthday. The DMV officer told me that the son cannot get a driver's license or learner's permit because the picture on his greencard cannot be older than his 14th birthday. However, the DMV officer told me that the picture identification associated with his naturalization certificate would qualify him for the state driver's license ID requirement.

 

At this point it seems that I should just move forward with the naturalization process for both of them rather than pay the $500+ to renew the 16 year old son's greencard.

 

 

As we neared the end of the N-400 online application, we were prompted that the total fee for her N-400 with biometrics would be $725. Is it cheaper to print and mail the N-400 and associated support documentation? But more importantly, do I need to include any additional fee at the time I submit my wife's N-400 to cover her son's eventual involvement with this process?

 

Is there any procedure or process I should be addressing for my wife's son's citizenship while we are carrying out and waiting to for my wife's naturalization to be approved? Is anything simultaneous, or do we just submit her N-400 and then complete the process for her before we begin seeking his citizenship certificate?

 

All replies will be appreciated. I have more questions after this, but I didn't want to overwhelm on my first posting to this forum.

 

Mike

The mother will apply for N-400 by herself. After she become US Citizen, if the child still under 18, the child can apply for U.S passport . If the child older than 18 by that time, the child need to apply for another N-400 by himself/herself.

https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/i-am-the-child-of-a-us-citizen

 

Edited August 1, 2020 by H&T

[msamulski 0]

HRQX and H&T. Thank you both. Your responses concise, and really helpful. Mike