Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600)
Complete guide to USCIS Form N-600 — purpose, requirements, fees, processing times.
Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600)
USCIS sets the filing fee for Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, at $1,385 (paper or online). The form is for people who acquired U.S. citizenship automatically through one or both parents (jus sanguinis), documenting that citizenship without going through naturalization.
Download the official form
USCIS publishes Form N-600 as a free PDF. Always download the current version directly from USCIS — third-party copies may be outdated.
- Download Form N-600 (PDF) — official USCIS source
- Download Instructions for Form N-600 (PDF) — read before filling out the form
- File Form N-600 online with USCIS (where supported)
What is it for?
Apply for a US Certificate of Citizenship for people who acquired citizenship AUTOMATICALLY through one or both parents (jus sanguinis), without needing to go through naturalization.
Who needs it?
Children of US citizens born outside the US who acquired citizenship automatically. Also minors who derivatively naturalized when one or both parents naturalized (before turning 18) under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.
Processing time
Typical range: 10-18 months processing (varies by field office).
⚠️ Verify current time: USCIS Processing Times · Your case status
Fee
$1,385 (paper or online) — verify current rate
How to file
Online (myUSCIS) or by mail. Online is faster.
Required documents
- Completed Form N-600
- Birth certificate of applicant (apostilled + translated if outside US)
- Evidence of US citizenship of parent(s): naturalization certificate, valid US passport at key moment, US birth certificate
- Marriage certificate of parents (apostilled)
- Evidence of legal and physical custody continuity if parents are separated
- For derivative cases: parent’s naturalization certificate + applicant’s green card
- Fee payment
Current USCIS processing times
USCIS publishes the time in which 80% of cases complete, per form, category, and office. The table below renders from our automatically maintained copy of the official data — always verify against the live system before relying on a deadline.
The time in which 80% of cases complete, by category and office. Data from the official USCIS system (2026-05-26) · verify live
| Category | Office | 80% complete within |
|---|---|---|
| Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship | Atlanta GA | 4.5 Months |
| Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship | Chicago IL | 13.5 Months |
| Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship | Dallas TX | 7.5 Months |
| Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship | Houston TX | 10 Months |
| Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship | Los Angeles CA | 6 Months |
| Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship | Miami FL | 11 Months |
| Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship | Newark NJ | 7 Months |
| Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship | New York City NY | 7.5 Months |
Frequently asked questions
Am I automatically a citizen if my parents are citizens?
Depends on: whether one or both parents are citizens, whether you were born before or after 1986, physical presence of citizen parent in US before your birth, marital status of parents. Rules are complex. Use USCIS Citizenship Through Parents wizard or consult attorney.
Difference between N-600 (Certificate) and US passport
Passport: proof of citizenship + travel document. Simpler to obtain if you have evidence (US birth certificate, etc.). N-600 Certificate: official permanent document of citizen status. Useful when: passport lost frequently, need to prove citizenship to employer/government, complex legal cases. You don’t need N-600 if you only want passport — but it’s definitive.
Child Citizenship Act 2000 (CCA) — what does it cover?
If you were under 18 on February 27, 2001 OR after AND meet: (1) at least one parent is US citizen (by birth or naturalization), (2) minor permanently resides in US with citizen parent, (3) has green card. Acquires citizenship automatically without N-400. N-600 documents that citizenship.
Do I need N-600 or just apply for passport?
For most practical purposes, a US passport is sufficient proof of citizenship. N-600 is mainly useful for: complex legal situations, military purposes, family immigration cases.
What about children born in US to foreign parents?
They are citizens by jus soli (right of soil — 14th Amendment) automatically. They don’t need N-600 (US birth certificate is sufficient proof).
Related information
Last verified: 2026-05-24. General information — not legal advice. Always verify at USCIS.gov.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
- ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
- USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
- Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections
Frequently asked questions
Am I automatically a citizen if my parents are citizens?
Difference between N-600 (Certificate) and US passport
Child Citizenship Act 2000 (CCA) — what does it cover?
Do I need N-600 or just apply for passport?
What about children born in US to foreign parents?
The rules change. Hear about it first.
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.