My Wife and Stepson Application

[NoJ 10]

The year year mark is coming up in March 2025 for my wife and stepson since they were issued green cards. I plan on applying in January 2025 I think the onlike fee for the n400 applicaton is $710. Do I pay that fee for each my wife an step son who is 16 years old? Or is there a better way to do it?

[OldUser 6,582]

2 minutes ago, NoJ said:

The year year mark is coming up in March 2025 for my wife and stepson since they were issued green cards. I plan on applying in January 2025 I think the onlike fee for the n400 applicaton is $710. Do I pay that fee for each my wife an step son who is 16 years old? Or is there a better way to do it?

How can they apply for N-400 within a year of getting their green cards? Usually, spouse of US citizen can apply for N-400 after 3 years of being lawful permanent resident (given they're married to US citizen for over 3 years).

 

If your wife naturalizes before son turns 18, he will automatically become a US citizen too. Otherwise he'll have to file N-400 himself based on 5 years of being resident.

Edited Tuesday at 03:42 PM by OldUser

[NoJ 10]

sorry that was a typo the 3 year mark is coming up for both my wife and 16 year old step son. Do I fill out the N-400 for both of them and pay the fee for each invidually?

[milimelo 4,475]

1 minute ago, NoJ said:

sorry that was a typo the 3 year mark is coming up for both my wife and 16 year old step son. Do I fill out the N-400 for both of them and pay the fee for each invidually?

Only adults are able to naturalize through N-400 - so your wife only. If she naturalizes before your step son turns 18, he'll also become a USC. If it takes longer than that, he can apply on his on AFTER he turns 18 and has had 5 years as LPR. 

[NoJ 10]

Is there another form that needs to be filled out since he’s a minor now? 

[milimelo 4,475]

2 hours ago, NoJ said:

Is there another form that needs to be filled out since he’s a minor now? 

For naturalization? As explained, nothing for him to do until either his mother naturalizes or, if it takes a while and he turns 18 and meets other requirements for naturalization (5 yr LPR). 

 

Both his mother and himself filed for removal of conditions and that's been approved/or is pending, correct? Hard to give you information when your timeline is incomplete.

[NoJ 10]

Both,of them have 10 year green cards. So I will apply for my wife for her to become a citizen. Let’s say she gets approved in a year do I then file the N600 which cost double the N400 for him to get the paper work saying he’s a citizen?

[Demise 1,276]

39 minutes ago, NoJ said:

Both,of them have 10 year green cards. So I will apply for my wife for her to become a citizen. Let’s say she gets approved in a year do I then file the N600 which cost double the N400 for him to get the paper work saying he’s a citizen?

Wife will file N-400 and naturalize. As long as the naturalization happens while he's under 18 he'll become a citizen by operation by law.

 

Then you've got two options:

1. Your wife/stepson can file N-600 for a certificate of citizenship.

2. Your wife/stepson can apply for a US passport for him.

 

The above are just to get proof of citizenship. If you are feeling financial strain then just get the US passport and if he needs the N-600 for a security clearance or something down the line he can handle it on his own. Other than that there's plenty of such derived citizens that just live perfectly fine with just a passport.

Edited Tuesday at 07:28 PM by Demise

[mam521 2,052]

31 minutes ago, Demise said:

Wife will file N-400 and naturalize. As long as the naturalization happens while he's under 18 he'll become a citizen by operation by law.

 

Then you've got two options:

1. Your wife/stepson can file N-600 for a certificate of citizenship.

2. Your wife/stepson can apply for a US passport for him.

 

I'd get their passports immediately after your wife naturalizes and then apply for the N-600.  Just did it earlier this year for my kids.  

[NoJ 10]

So for my wife I would need an N-400 and a N-600 get her citizenship?its $1385 just for the N-600 and another $710 N-400 yikes

[SteveInBostonI130 3,429]

1 hour ago, NoJ said:

So for my wife I would need an N-400 and a N-600 get her citizenship?its $1385 just for the N-600 and another $710 N-400 yikes

No.

 

Your wife files N-400.  They will give her a certificate of citizenship after she is approved and takes the oath, with no additional charge.

 

If your stepson was under 18 when your wife naturalized, then he is automatically a citizen.  Your wife can apply for her passport and his passport (paying the passport fees)

 

Your wife or your stepson can optionally file N600 to get a certificate for your stepson. 

[Demise 1,276]

2 hours ago, NoJ said:

So for my wife I would need an N-400 and a N-600 get her citizenship?its $1385 just for the N-600 and another $710 N-400 yikes

No. Cheapest solution here is:

N-400 for wife ($710)

US passport for stepson ($195 for booklet and card, I'd recommend getting both)

 

I would also just recommend wife getting her passport at the same time too (another $195) but stepson is the only one who really needs it as proof of citizenship. Other than that, you do not need to do an N-600 or N-400 for the stepson if wife naturalizes while he's under 18.

Edited Tuesday at 11:34 PM by Demise

[NoJ 10]

39 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

No.

 

Your wife files N-400.  They will give her a certificate of citizenship after she is approved and takes the oath, with no additional charge.

 

If your stepson was under 18 when your wife naturalized, then he is automatically a citizen.  Your wife can apply for her passport and his passport (paying the passport fees)

 

Your wife or your stepson can optionally file N600 to get a certificate for your stepson. 

if he automatically becomes a citizen why would anyone pay $1385?

[SteveInBostonI130 3,429]

15 minutes ago, NoJ said:

if he automatically becomes a citizen why would anyone pay $1385?

 

To have proof of citizenship.  In cases where his passport gets lost or expires.

[NoJ 10]

so odd to me that he automatically becomes a citizen but yet has to apply and pay double to prove it.... what a racket