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Official form guide
Form N-600K: Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
USCIS Form N-600K is used to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship for children who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth but were born outside the United States. This form is filed by U.S. citizen parents on behalf of their child who meets the requirements under Section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
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USCIS Form N-600K - Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
USCIS Form N-600K is used to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship for children who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth but were born outside the United States. This form is filed by U.S. citizen parents on behalf of their child who meets the requirements under Section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Using an outdated form edition will result in rejection and delay processing.
- 2Incorrect calculation of parent's physical presence in the U.S.
- 3Missing proof of child's relationship to U.S. citizen parent
- 4Incomplete or expired supporting documents
- 5Incorrect fee amount or payment method
Plain English
Form N-600K helps children born outside the U.S. get proof of their U.S. citizenship when they have at least one U.S. citizen parent. The child must be under 18 and living abroad with the U.S. citizen parent. This certificate serves as official documentation of U.S. citizenship without requiring the child to enter the U.S.
Submission Date
- Filing date: File Form N-600K when your child has acquired U.S. citizenship at birth but was born outside the U.S., and you want to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship for them. There is no deadline, but processing times can vary significantly.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when your child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth outside the U.S. and you need a Certificate of Citizenship
- Do not use this form if your child is already a naturalized citizen or if they were born in the U.S.
- Check Form N-600 if the child is already in the U.S. and applying for citizenship
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Child born in U.S. to U.S. citizen parents
Different process for children born on U.S. soil
✓ Check child's birthplace
Child adopted by U.S. citizens
Different process for adopted children
✓ Verify adoption status
Child living in U.S.
Different process for children residing in U.S.
✓ Check current residence
Child over 18
Different eligibility requirements for adults
✓ Verify child's age
Deadline or filing window
There is no statutory deadline for filing Form N-600K, but it should be filed as soon as possible to obtain the Certificate of Citizenship. Processing times can vary from several months to over a year depending on USCIS workload and completeness of the application.
- —Child's age | Current date - Birth date | Eligibility verification | Child must be under 18
- —Parent's physical presence | Days in U.S. before child's birth | Minimum 5 years required | Verify exact calculation
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Child's identity
Birth certificate, passport · Country of birth records
Parent's citizenship
Naturalization certificate, U.S. passport · USCIS records or passport agency
Physical presence
School records, tax returns, employment records · Personal documents
Relationship
Marriage certificate, divorce decrees · Family court records
Child's residence
School enrollment, medical records · Local institutions
Parent's residence
Lease agreements, utility bills · Personal records
Before you submit
- 1Verify form is the most recent edition
- 2Complete all sections with accurate information
- 3Include required photographs of the child
- 4Prepare copies of all supporting documents
- 5Verify fee amount and acceptable payment methods
- 6Ensure both parents sign the form (unless one is deceased)
- 7Make a complete copy of the entire application before mailing
- 8Double-check mailing address against current instructions
- 9Check document translations if not in English
- 10Review all entries for consistency
How to file this form
- 1Download and complete Form N-600K with accurate information
- 2Gather required documents including birth certificates, proof of citizenship, and evidence of physical presence
- 3Prepare payment for the current filing fee
- 4Mail the completed form with documents and payment to the appropriate USCIS lockbox
- 5Keep a copy of the entire application for your records
- 6Wait for biometrics appointment notice if required
- 7Respond promptly to any requests for evidence
- 8Wait for decision notification
Known limitations
- 1Form N-600K cannot be used for children born in the U.S.
- 2The child must be under 18 years old at the time of filing
- 3At least one parent must be a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization
- 4The child must be residing abroad with the U.S. citizen parent
- 5Form does not guarantee expedited processing
- 6Approval does not guarantee entry to the U.S. if other requirements aren't met
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Eligibility
1 items
Select: 5-year permanent resident, 3-year married to U.S. citizen, or military service.
Personal Info
3 items
Your name exactly as shown on your Green Card.
Found on your Green Card. Required.
MM/DD/YYYY from your Green Card.
Residence
2 items
All addresses for the past 5 years (or 3 years if married to U.S. citizen).
Calculate days outside the U.S. in the past 5 years — must total less than 30 months.
Moral Character
1 items
Answer questions about criminal history, taxes, and immigration violations honestly.
Signatures
1 items
Certifies all answers are true under penalty of perjury.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition of Form N-600K was last updated in 2021. Check the USCIS website for the most recent edition before filing, as forms are periodically updated.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date: Must use the most recent edition available on USCIS website
- Fee: Check current fee amount as it changes periodically
- Mailing address: Verify lockbox address as it may change
- Signature requirements: Both parents must sign unless one is deceased
- Photograph requirements: Recent passport-style photos of the child
- Translation requirements: All documents not in English must be translated
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep all original documents and copies of the filed application
- 2Monitor USCIS online account for updates if you created one
- 3Attend any scheduled biometrics appointments
- 4Respond to any Requests for Evidence (RFE) within the given timeframe
- 5Keep track of processing times through USCIS tools
- 6Once approved, securely store the Certificate of Citizenship
- 7Update the child's passport to reflect U.S. citizenship status
- 8Notify relevant authorities (schools, medical providers) of citizenship status
Sources
- SRCForm purpose is to obtain Certificate of Citizenship for children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents
- SRCChild must be under 18 and residing abroad with U.S. citizen parent
- SRCParent must be U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization with required physical presence
- SRCForm must be submitted by mail to the appropriate USCIS lockbox
- SRCCurrent fee amount is $1,170 (as of 2023, subject to change)
- SRCProcessing times vary and can take several months to over a year
- SRCBiometrics appointment may be required
- SRCBoth parents must sign unless one is deceased or there is only one parent
- SRCNot found in provided source: specific processing time guarantees
- SRCNot found in provided source: expedite processing eligibility criteria
Common confusion points
What constitutes 'physical presence'
USCIS has specific rules about what counts as physical presence
→ Review USCIS guidelines on calculating physical presence
Child's age requirement
Child must be under 18 at time of filing
→ Verify child's current age against filing date
Parent's citizenship requirements
Parent must be U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization
→ Check parent's naturalization certificate or birth certificate
Residency requirements
Child must be living abroad with U.S. citizen parent
→ Verify current residence location
Documentation of relationship
Must prove biological or legal relationship
→ Include birth certificate and marriage certificate
Fee payment methods
USCIS accepts specific payment types
→ Check current acceptable payment methods
Workflow map
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