N-400 for Wife with derivative child

[DFWJimbo 4]

My wife and step child have gone through the process from I-129 petition, to K1 visa, to adjustment of status to successful removal of conditions (10-year GC).

 

My wife wishes to apply for Citizenship via N-400.  We meet the eligibility requirements.  My question is not with her application, but with her biological child (my stepchild).  All along the process our daughter was added to the applications (fees additional of course).  All is in order with her and no problems.

 

My question is how to add our daughter to the process of applying for citizenship.  Is this done with the same N-400, or do we file a separate one for her?  On the USCIS website, the fee calculator asks for age of the N-400 applicant at the time of applying.  Since she is 12 years old, she doesn't qualify to apply separately.  So I'm unsure if we just put this all on the N-400 or how this is going to work with our daughter.  Can someone shed some light on this?

 

[arken 4,197]

Your wife will file for naturalization for herself. Once your wife naturalizes, the kid will be the citizen automatically. You two can then apply for her passport that will be the proof of her citizenship.

Edited September 30, 2021 by arken

[DFWJimbo 4]

Thank you for your reply. It seems too simple or there is a step that’s not obvious? I appreciate your knowledge, is there someone who can confirm that before I begin the process? I wanted to make sure we are not wasting money and she doesn’t have to file again. BTW, I am a born US Citizen and my wife and daughter are not. 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

On 10/2/2021 at 4:59 AM, DFWJimbo said:

Thank you for your reply. It seems too simple or there is a step that’s not obvious? I appreciate your knowledge, is there someone who can confirm that before I begin the process? I wanted to make sure we are not wasting money and she doesn’t have to file again. BTW, I am a born US Citizen and my wife and daughter are not. 

Yes I have done this with my child, I can confirm it is “that simple” in terms of the stepdaughter becoming a citizen when her mom does. The step that may not be “obvious” is that although the child automatically acquires citizenship with the parent, you still need to apply for a passport and/or N600 for her if you want proof of that. 

[nastra30 2,464]

On 10/2/2021 at 7:59 AM, DFWJimbo said:

Thank you for your reply. It seems too simple or there is a step that’s not obvious? I appreciate your knowledge, is there someone who can confirm that before I begin the process? I wanted to make sure we are not wasting money and she doesn’t have to file again. BTW, I am a born US Citizen and my wife and daughter are not. 

Yes, it's that simple. The daughter automatically acquires US citizenship right after the mother acquires it. She simply has to apply for a US passport for the daughter with her naturalization certificate and daughter's greencard. 

However, both biological parents will have to consent to her getting a US passport unless your wife has full legal custody of her daughter or you've adopted her to act as her legal parent.

Edited October 4, 2021 by nastra30