N600 for child under 18

[David00000 3]

Hi

my minor brother enter us before 18 

my dad us us citizen 

do we need to apply for n600 for his citizenship or just go to passport office for normal process because ir2 becore citizen when enter before 18 years age

[discoverusa 258]

Just getting a US passport is way cheaper and faster. Some people submit N600 because they want to have another proof of US Citizenship in case passport is lost. I am just perplexed why N600 is so expensive. 

 

Maybe some other members can list more advantages of obtaining Certificate of Citizenship and spending all this money. I honestly don't see many advantages. 

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from Bringing Family of USC forum to Passports, etc sub-forum, where similar topics are discussed ***

 

15 hours ago, David00000 said:

do we need to apply for n600 for his citizenship or just go to passport office for normal process because ir2 becore citizen when enter before 18 years age

 

N-600 is optional.  If your brother entered the US with IR2 visa and is below 18 years old, he may apply for US passport already, without N-600.

 

[OldUser 6,586]

You can apply just for passport. But please make sure to apply for N600 at some point in near future. The worst case is if he's asked to prove he's a citizen may years later when your parents are no longer around. You don't want that!

Edited January 16 by OldUser

[Chancy 6,241]

10 hours ago, discoverusa said:

Maybe some other members can list more advantages of obtaining Certificate of Citizenship and spending all this money. I honestly don't see many advantages. 

 

Mainly for insurance, as CoC is the strongest evidence of US citizenship for children who were not USC at birth but derived citizenship from their parent.  Having CoC would avoid situations like in this recent thread below --

 

 

[OldUser 6,586]

10 hours ago, discoverusa said:

Some people submit N600 because they want to have another proof of US Citizenship in case passport is lost.

Not just that. Sometimes the passport won't be renewed many years later until one proves they're a US citizen. I wouldn't want to be in that situation without certificate of citizenship. 

[OldUser 6,586]

@David00000 I highly recommend getting him:

- US passport (large book, it's same price as regular but has more pages)

- US passport card (can be used for land travel from Canada, Mexico and some cruises). It also serves as proof of citizenship if passport is lost

- Certificate of citizenship (N-600). Can do later, but further down the line you do it, more difficult it would be to gather evidence etc. I'd suggest getting it within the next 2-3 years.

[Paul Hanaki 72]

Do it now before the price increase by $215 I think in March. Yea it is expensive and takes a while. I think it was 9 months for one of my daughters. Get a fire and waterproof lock box to keep it in once you get it. It costs $500 or more to replace. While you may have all the paperwork now and a passport, who knows in 30 years after the passport has been expired for years. They may have issues proving citizenship. 

[RamonGomez 271]

On 1/15/2024 at 2:41 AM, David00000 said:

Hi

my minor brother enter us before 18 

my dad us us citizen 

do we need to apply for n600 for his citizenship or just go to passport office for normal process because ir2 becore citizen when enter before 18 years age

 

Getting a passport is easier.

 

N600 is optional but usually recommended as a backup. I think there are a few edge cases where COC or US birth certificate is required (usually involving federal employment).  

[OldUser 6,586]

10 minutes ago, RamonGomez said:

 

Getting a passport is easier.

 

N600 is optional but usually recommended as a backup. I think there are a few edge cases where COC or US birth certificate is required (usually involving federal employment).  

Social Security office is known to be requesting COC. Sometimes it get asked at passport renewal too.