Derivative citizenship occurs when a person becomes a U.S. citizen through a parent's naturalization, typically before age 18. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 simplified rules: children automatically acquire citizenship if (1) at least one parent is U.S. citizen; (2) child is under 18; (3) child is permanent resident; (4) child resides in U.S. in legal/physical custody of citizen parent.
Meeting all CCA criteria for events occurring on/after February 27, 2001. For events before that date, prior law (INA 320/321) applies — more complex requirements.
File N-600 to establish and document citizenship; can also be established through U.S. passport application.
Birth certificate; parent's naturalization or citizenship evidence; permanent residency documentation; parent's custody documentation; and physical presence in U.S. during qualifying period.
N-600 fee or U.S. passport fee.
N-600: 6–18 months; passport application: 6–8 weeks.
We resolve complex derivative citizenship cases including pre-CCA issues, divorce/custody complications, and stepparent scenarios.
If you became a permanent resident as a child while a parent was a U.S. citizen (or naturalized while you were under 18), you may already be a U.S. citizen. Contact us for analysis.
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