Form N-600: How to Apply for a Certificate of Citizenship

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Citizenship law can depend on birth dates, family relationships, custody, residence, adoption, and earlier versions of the law. Review the current USCIS instructions or consult a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative for advice about a specific case.

Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, lets certain people born outside the United States request official proof of U.S. citizenship they already acquired. It does not grant citizenship. According to USCIS Form N-600 instructions, it may be used by a person who acquired citizenship at birth through a U.S. citizen parent or automatically became a citizen after birth but before turning 18.

Official requirements and fees last verified August 31, 2026.

What Does Form N-600 Do?

If USCIS approves Form N-600, it issues a Certificate of Citizenship. The certificate is permanent evidence of citizenship and does not expire.

Form N-600 is a request for documentation, not a naturalization application. The applicant must show that the legal requirements for citizenship were already satisfied. USCIS's Policy Manual also notes that a person who automatically acquired citizenship is not required to obtain a certificate, although having formal proof can be valuable.

Who May File Form N-600?

Form N-600 may be appropriate when a person was born outside the United States and claims citizenship in either of these ways:

1. The person acquired U.S. citizenship at birth through one or both U.S. citizen parents.
2. The person automatically acquired U.S. citizenship after birth through a U.S. citizen parent before turning 18.

For automatic citizenship after birth under current INA Section 320 rules, USCIS generally looks for all of these conditions at the same time before the child's 18th birthday:

• At least one parent was a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization.
• The child was under 18.
• The child was a lawful permanent resident.
• The child lived in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.

A U.S. citizen parent or legal guardian must file for an applicant under 18. An applicant who is at least 18 may file on their own behalf. Older cases may be governed by the law in effect before the applicant turned 18, so do not assume today's INA Section 320 rules decide every case.

When Should You Use a Different Form?

Choosing the correct form is important because these forms serve different purposes.

Situation	Form or document to review
You are a permanent resident applying to become a citizen through naturalization	Form N-400
You already acquired citizenship through a parent and want a Certificate of Citizenship	Form N-600
You need to replace or correct a Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate	Form N-565
A qualifying child lives outside the United States and seeks citizenship under INA Section 322	Form N-600K
You want another form of proof of citizenship	U.S. passport eligibility

The distinction between N-600 and N-600K can be especially important. USCIS explains that N-600K generally applies to a qualifying child residing outside the United States, while N-600 documents citizenship already acquired.

What Evidence Does USCIS Request?

The exact evidence depends on how citizenship was acquired. The N-600 instructions and USCIS Policy Manual identify documents that may include:

• The applicant's birth certificate or birth record
• Proof of the U.S. citizen parent's citizenship, such as a birth certificate, Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or valid U.S. passport
• The parents' marriage certificate, when applicable
• Proof that earlier marriages ended, when applicable
• The applicant's Green Card or other proof of lawful permanent resident status for a citizenship-after-birth claim
• Evidence that the applicant lived in the U.S. citizen parent's physical custody before age 18
• Custody orders or other proof of legal custody in divorce, separation, adoption, or similar cases
• A final adoption decree and related adoption records, when applicable
• Evidence of legal name or date-of-birth changes
• Proof of the U.S. citizen parent's required U.S. residence or physical presence for certain citizenship-at-birth claims

Documents not in English generally need a complete English translation with the translator's certification. If a required primary document is unavailable, follow the N-600 instructions for explaining its absence and providing acceptable secondary evidence.

How Do You File Form N-600?

Use this sequence as a preparation checklist:

1. Confirm the legal basis and date on which citizenship was acquired.
2. Download the current form and instructions from the official USCIS N-600 page.
3. Collect the civil, immigration, citizenship, custody, residence, and adoption records that apply to the case.
4. Check the current edition date and filing fee immediately before filing.
5. File through an available USCIS method and keep a complete copy of everything submitted.
6. Respond to any USCIS request for evidence and attend a photograph, signature, or interview appointment if USCIS schedules one.

USCIS may waive the interview when its records and the submitted evidence are sufficient. If an interview is required for a child under 18, USCIS generally expects the U.S. citizen parent or parents to appear as well.

How Much Does Form N-600 Cost?

As of the verification date above, the USCIS Fee Schedule lists a $1,335 online filing fee and a $1,385 paper filing fee for the general N-600 filing category. Current or former members of the U.S. armed forces filing on their own behalf may qualify for a $0 fee, and some applicants may qualify for a fee waiver.

Fees and filing methods can change. Confirm the amount on the official N-600 and Form G-1055 pages on the day you file.

How Long Does N-600 Processing Take?

There is no single reliable processing time for every N-600 case. Timing can vary by USCIS office, evidence, interview requirements, and requests for additional information. Use the USCIS processing-times tool for the current estimate that applies to the form and office handling the case.

Common Form N-600 Mistakes to Avoid

• Using N-600 to apply for naturalization instead of documenting citizenship already acquired
• Filing N-600 when N-600K or N-565 addresses the actual situation
• Assuming that a parent's citizenship alone proves every legal requirement
• Omitting custody, residence, adoption, or name-change evidence that applies to the case
• Sending foreign-language documents without complete certified English translations
• Filing before confirming the correct form edition and fee
• Treating a prior N-600 denial as permission to file the form again

USCIS instructions state that Form N-600 may be filed only once. If USCIS denies the application, carefully review the decision and its appeal or motion instructions. A case involving a prior denial is a good reason to obtain qualified legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Form N-600 used for?

It asks USCIS to issue a Certificate of Citizenship to a person who already acquired U.S. citizenship at birth or automatically acquired it after birth through a U.S. citizen parent.

Does filing Form N-600 make someone a U.S. citizen?

No. The form documents citizenship that already exists under the law; it does not grant citizenship.

What is the difference between Form N-600 and Form N-400?

N-600 documents citizenship acquired through a parent. N-400 is an application for an eligible lawful permanent resident to become a citizen through naturalization.

Can a person file Form N-600 more than once?

USCIS says a person may file it only once. After a denial, follow the appeal or motion instructions in the decision rather than submitting another N-600.

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• How to Apply for a U.S. Passport After the Oath Ceremony
• Naturalization Requirements: Are You Eligible?