Filing Form N-600K To Apply For Citizenship Based on Parentage

            It is not uncommon to find a child with one or both parents as a US citizen but the child resides in a foreign country. And while this is bound to create some immigration issues, the USCIS addresses this issue through Form N-600K. The USCIS form N-600k is filed by a US citizen whose child qualifies for naturalization. Under § 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, children not born in the US to a US citizen parent (or parents) acquire citizenship at birth. While these children may qualify for a US passport, sometimes they will need definitive proof of their US citizenship That’s where Form N-600K comes in.

Who is Eligible for Citizenship Based on Parentage

            Like most other immigration forms, only a certain category of people qualify to apply for the N-600k form. In order to be eligible for this type of citizenship, the child should satisfy the following criteria.

• Have at least parent that is a US citizen either through naturalization or birth.
• The child is less than 18 years of age
• The parent who is a US  citizen should have spent 5 or more years physically in the US with 2 of these years being after the age of 14. If not, the child’s grandparents should meet this criteria
• The child should be residing outside the US in the legal custody of the US parent.
• Be temporarily and legally present in the US at time of application.

            It is worth noting that adopted children can only qualify if the parents adopted the child before the age of 16. The child’s grandparents can also apply if the US parent died in the preceding 5 years before application.

How to Complete Form N-600K

            Completing this application is a breeze as long as you follow instructions for form N-600K. That said, here are some tips to keep in mind when completing the different parts.

• Part 1– The applicant will have to state the basis for this application and the determine the child’s eligibility for citizenship. Failure to complete this part will render your application denied. If your child ever had a green card, you will also be asked for the A-Number, which you can find on your child’s green card.
• Part 2- This part requires you to fill in some basic personal detail about your child. If the child has no SSN then you can leave some answers blank. Other important questions in this part include question 14 and 16. The former asks for the child’s immigration status but this should be filled by a US immigration official. Question 16, on the other hand, asks for extra information if the child is adopted, this include the dates of physical and legal custody.
• Part 3- Basic personal information about the parent who is a US citizen.
• Part 4- Can be left blank unless the grandparent, a US citizen, is making the application.
• Part 5- The US citizen parent should detail their past information to prove that they qualify for the 5-year requirement.
• Part 6– Should be left blank unless the US parent is deceased.
• Part 7- In this part, you reveal to the USCIS the closest US field offices where you’ll attend your interviews.
• Part 8– The child signs this part unless they are less than 14 years of age. If so, their legal guardian can sign for them. This part must be signed.
• Part 9- Did you use an interpreter to help you sign the form? If so, the interpreter will hve to sign in this part.
• Part 10- Signed by your attorney or other representative
• Part 11- Fill in any additional information that could not fit into the form n-600k.
• Part 12– Leave this blank. It will be completed during your interview.
• Part 13- Leave this blank as well. Your immigration officer will fill this part after making a decision.

Where To File Form N 600K

            It is first important that you ensure all documents are in order. For example, all supporting documents should be in the order requested in the N-600K instructions. You should also submit English translations (for foreigners) of the forms but they need to be certified. Once you are done, send the whole application to the USCIS lockbox with the addresses listed on their website.

            The filing fees are subject to change, so you should confirm with the USCIS website too.

How HMA Law Firm Can Help

            It is important that you send a comprehensive application package to the USCIS with no errors whatsoever. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services is known to reject applications that are not prepared well. Luckily, we have attorneys at your beck and call who will ensure everything runs smoothly. Our wide knowledge and experience will come in handy when you need to take care of such a sensitive matter. So call us today for a consultation.