LAWAMERICA’s client’s Form N-600 application for a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship was approved in approximately six months without a request for additional evidence.
💡 Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship by Children of U.S. Citizens and Form N-600
A child of a U.S. citizen may automatically acquire U.S. citizenship before reaching the age of 18 under the Child Citizenship Act if all applicable requirements are satisfied.
To acquire U.S. citizenship derivatively and apply for a Certificate of Citizenship, the following requirements are generally considered:
- At least one parent is a U.S. citizen.
- The child is under 18 years of age.
- The child is a U.S. lawful permanent resident.
- The child resides in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.
Importantly, once these requirements are satisfied, U.S. citizenship is acquired automatically by operation of law. However, a Certificate of Citizenship is not automatically issued. To have USCIS formally recognize the acquisition of citizenship in its records and issue an official Certificate of Citizenship, Form N-600 may be filed separately.
💡 N-600 Requests for Evidence (RFEs): Thorough Preparation from the Outset Is Important
We occasionally receive inquiries from parents who initially prepared and filed their children’s Form N-600 applications on their own but subsequently received a Request for Evidence.
On August 5, 2026, USCIS announced that when an applicant fails to sufficiently establish eligibility or omits required evidence when filing an application, USCIS may deny the application without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).
Under this policy update, USCIS officers once again have broader discretion to deny applications in various circumstances without first issuing an RFE or NOID.
Accordingly, it is important to carefully review the eligibility requirements and supporting evidence and to prepare the application thoroughly and systematically from the initial filing stage.
💡 LAWAMERICA – Approval Case
Professionals
LAWAMERICA’s client’s Form N-600 application for a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship was approved in approximately six months without a request for additional evidence.
💡 Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship by Children of U.S. Citizens and Form N-600
A child of a U.S. citizen may automatically acquire U.S. citizenship before reaching the age of 18 under the Child Citizenship Act if all applicable requirements are satisfied.
To acquire U.S. citizenship derivatively and apply for a Certificate of Citizenship, the following requirements are generally considered:
Importantly, once these requirements are satisfied, U.S. citizenship is acquired automatically by operation of law. However, a Certificate of Citizenship is not automatically issued. To have USCIS formally recognize the acquisition of citizenship in its records and issue an official Certificate of Citizenship, Form N-600 may be filed separately.
💡 N-600 Requests for Evidence (RFEs): Thorough Preparation from the Outset Is Important
We occasionally receive inquiries from parents who initially prepared and filed their children’s Form N-600 applications on their own but subsequently received a Request for Evidence.
On August 5, 2026, USCIS announced that when an applicant fails to sufficiently establish eligibility or omits required evidence when filing an application, USCIS may deny the application without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).
Under this policy update, USCIS officers once again have broader discretion to deny applications in various circumstances without first issuing an RFE or NOID.
Accordingly, it is important to carefully review the eligibility requirements and supporting evidence and to prepare the application thoroughly and systematically from the initial filing stage.
💡 LAWAMERICA – Approval Case
Professionals