Online Citizenship Application and My Child

[Cilllah 482]

Hi! Quick question.

 

I will soon be submitting my citizenship application. My seven year old who came with me as a K1 and is now PR will become a citizen when I do, that I know. But there’s nowhere online to mention her in my application so that they know she’s becoming a citizen? In my previous applications, there was a spot like that. Am I missing something? I don’t want to leave her out and make a mistake.

 

Thanks!

[EmilyW 1,462]

Nope, there is no place on the form to state that. You're all good.

[mam521 2,111]

Nope, you won't see anything for your dependent.  It's a strange one.  

 

Once you become a citizen and have your certificate of citizenship, get passports for you and your kiddo.  Then, you can file the N-600 to get the certificate for your Little. 

 

I contemplated the certificates for my kids because they are expensive, but in the end, decided they were important.  The system is confusing here - the Department of State issues passports and USCIS the certificates of citizenship.  But, USCIS doesn't recognize a US passport as proof of citizenship.  It's weird and I didn't ever want a situation where my kids lost a passport or had it stolen and we not have proof with USCIS that they are citizens.  

[JeanneAdil 6,581]

USCIS will not automatically issue a naturalization certificate once a child becomes a U.S. citizen. Since the document may be needed later when the child applies for jobs or student loans, GCLO recommends filing an N-600 so the child can receive his or her own certificate of citizenship.

 

USCIS site 

https://www.google.com/search?q=USCIS+will+not+automatically+issue+a+naturalization+certificate+once+a+child+becomes+a+U.S.+citizen.+Since+the+document+may+be+needed+later+when+the+child+applies+for+jobs+or+student+loans%2C+GCLO+recommends+filing+an+N-600+so+the+child+can+receive+his+or+her+own+certificate+of+citizenship.&rlz=1C1JPGB_enUS833US833&oq=USCIS+will+not+automatically+issue+a+naturalization+certificate+once+a+child+becomes+a+U.S.+citizen.+Since+the+document+may+be+needed+later+when+the+child+applies+for+jobs+or+student+loans%2C+GCLO+recommends+filing+an+N-600+so+the+child+can+receive+his+or+her+own+certificate+of+citizenship.&aqs=chrome..69i57.1463j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Boiler 45,731]

There have been cases on here where the Cert was not obtained and years later issues arose.

[Cilllah 482]

I will be getting the certificate! I just wanted to make sure not mentioning her in my application was ok. Thanks everyone!

[nastra30 2,295]

21 hours ago, Cilllah said:

But there’s nowhere online to mention her in my application so that they know she’s becoming a citizen?

Hmm. I helped review a friend's N400 online application a couple of months ago. There was definitely a section to add children. Look closely or you'll miss it. If I remember correctly, you'll have to click into something to add child's name. The one thing I didn't see though was a place to add spouse name. He made sure get spouse added at the interview. 

Edited November 14 by nastra30

[Cilllah 482]

4 minutes ago, nastra30 said:

Hmm. I helped review a friend's N400 online application a couple of months ago. There was definitely a section to add children. Look closely or you'll miss it. If I remember correctly, you'll have to click into something to add child's name. The one thing I didn't see though was a place to add spouse name. He made sure get spouse added at the interview. 

I have my children added.  There’s just no mention of if they need to become a citizen too or their status. That’s what I mean!

[nastra30 2,295]

4 minutes ago, Cilllah said:

I have my children added.  There’s just no mention of if they need to become a citizen too or their status. That’s what I mean!

Ok understood; I always fet like the online system needs improvement. No big deal though; as adviced by others, after you naturalize, apply for their US passport first (both parents permission is needed). And certificate of citizenship after receiving passport.

Good luck.

[mam521 2,111]

2 hours ago, nastra30 said:

I always fet like the online system needs improvement.

Definitely.  It would be different if the applications were smart enough to ask questions and then populate successive questions based on the previous answers.  For example, if a person is applying under a 3 year rule, the questions regarding travel having the appropriate number of calculated days relevant to that rather than the blanket of applying under the 5 year rule.  The "Jack of All Trades, Master of None" applications create confusion and more work when RFE's are issued.