Wife and 16 year old Step Son N-400 Forms?

[NoJ 10]

I am a US Citizen married my Colombian wife 3 years ago she has a 16 year old son who lives with us in the US. We are filling out the N400 to begin the Citizenship paper work for my wife. Do I file for my step son the 16 year old now as well and fill out a separate N400 form for him? Not sure how to  or do I have to wait ? He has green card as well like my wife.

[OldUser 8,599]

If your wife naturalizes before her son is 18, he will become a US citizen by operation of law. He wouldn't file N-400, but rather N-600 for certificate of citizenship.

 

He cannot apply for N-400 now.

 

If he is over 18 when his mother naturalizes, he'd have to file his own N-400.

Edited March 31 by OldUser

[NoJ 10]

its cheaper to wait for him to turn 18

 

[NoJ 10]

before 18 he becomes a US citizen but need to pay $1385 to prove it... crazy

Edited March 31 by NoJ

[OldUser 8,599]

4 minutes ago, NoJ said:

its cheaper to wait for him to turn 18

 

This means pausing his mom's naturalization though. And who knows what would happen to fees and processes in 2 years from now.

 

If his mom naturalizes now, he'd be a citizen without a question. 

 

You don't have to apply for N-600 immediately. He can get his passport first. But N-600 is ultimate proof of citizenship, and better be done sooner than later. The more time passes, the more difficult it becomes to prove his citizenship.

 

Here's example why N-600 is highly recommended:

 

 

TLDR: he may be required to prove he's a US citizen at any point in future. Maybe long after you and your wife are gone. Proving with certificate of citizenship is 1000 times easier than trying to find all evidence of his mom becoming a citizen after many years...

 

Edited March 31 by OldUser