Can a teenager with IR-2 visa apply for citizenship after arriving to the US?

[iskramar 0]

My stepson, 15 years old, immigrated to the US this year and holds an IR-2 visa currently in the form of a passport stamp with a temporary I-551 for 1 year. My wife is the biological mother and is a permanent resident and I am a US citizen, born in the US and the petitioner for both of their cases. We just received an ASC Appointment Notice to do his biometrics for his permanent resident card, however, we were under the impression that since he arrived to the US before turning 18, he would be eligible for citizenship. 

Our questions are as follows:
- Is my stepson eligible for citizenship?
- If no, do I need to officially adopt him?
- What are the steps to getting him citizenship?   

[NorthByNorthwest 352]

4 hours ago, iskramar said:

My stepson, 15 years old, immigrated to the US this year and holds an IR-2 visa currently in the form of a passport stamp with a temporary I-551 for 1 year. My wife is the biological mother and is a permanent resident and I am a US citizen, born in the US and the petitioner for both of their cases. We just received an ASC Appointment Notice to do his biometrics for his permanent resident card, however, we were under the impression that since he arrived to the US before turning 18, he would be eligible for citizenship. 

Our questions are as follows:
- Is my stepson eligible for citizenship?
- If no, do I need to officially adopt him?
- What are the steps to getting him citizenship?   

 

No, a stepchild entering on IR-2 does not automatically become a citizen, that only happens if you are the biological parent or you have already adopted him. At this point he's an LPR and regardless of what you do he can apply for N-400 naturalization in 5 years. If you _finalize_ an adoption before he turns 18 and he's living with both of you he automatically becomes a citizen and you can apply for passport / N-600.