Simplify kids citizenship.

[Jo&Ro 106]

I've been reading on what the process is for getting my wife's kids their citizenship and it might as well be written in Greek to me. I'm a multi generational U.S. citizen. My wife of 6 years has been a U.S. citizen for over a year and now her kids (ages 12 & 14) are here and we are trying to figure out the process of getting their U.S. citizenship. It's not clear to me if we need to do the same process as she went through to get her citizenship or is it much more simple and quicker? Thanks ahead for any advice...Jo&Ro

[OldUser 7,568]

1 hour ago, Jo&Ro said:

I've been reading on what the process is for getting my wife's kids their citizenship and it might as well be written in Greek to me. I'm a multi generational U.S. citizen. My wife of 6 years has been a U.S. citizen for over a year and now her kids (ages 12 & 14) are here and we are trying to figure out the process of getting their U.S. citizenship. It's not clear to me if we need to do the same process as she went through to get her citizenship or is it much more simple and quicker? Thanks ahead for any advice...Jo&Ro

As they're minors (under 18), they should have became US citizens over a year now if few conditions were met:

1) Kids had Green Cards

2) Kids lived with you and your spouse in the US when spouse became US citizen

 

If those are true, you can apply for their US passports. Also, highly recommended to file N-600 for each kid to have certificate of citizenship for life.

[Jo&Ro 106]

On 12/25/2024 at 9:27 PM, OldUser said:

As they're minors (under 18), they should have became US citizens over a year now if few conditions were met:

1) Kids had Green Cards

2) Kids lived with you and your spouse in the US when spouse became US citizen

 

If those are true, you can apply for their US passports. Also, highly recommended to file N-600 for each kid to have certificate of citizenship for life.

Sorry, life's been INSANELY busy lately... The kids have only been here in the U.S. since 12/6/24. We are still waiting on their green cards, hopefully soon. 

Also, many thanks for the response! 

[top_secret 2,509]

On 1/22/2025 at 4:13 PM, Jo&Ro said:

Sorry, life's been INSANELY busy lately... The kids have only been here in the U.S. since 12/6/24. We are still waiting on their green cards, hopefully soon. 

Also, many thanks for the response! 

 

 

Assuming they arrived on IR2 visas(????) then it sounds like they became US Citizens automatically the moment they got those visas stamped by CBP on arrival.  They don't need an actual green card.  The stamped visa is a temporary green card.  They should apply for their US Passports immediately based on the endorsed IR1 visas,  mom's proof of US Citizenship, their birth certificates that proof mom has legal custody, and evidence they are living with her such as school enrolment records, health insurance etc.  The sooner they apply for their US Passports the better.