SoCal Immigration Services | Immigration Document Preparation in Southern California

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For families in Costa Mesa whose children may have automatically acquired U.S. citizenship through parents, the N-600 Certificate of Citizenship provides official proof. SoCal Immigration Services helps families document their children's citizenship status.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

What is the N-600 Certificate of Citizenship?

The Certificate of Citizenship is an official document issued by USCIS that proves a person acquired or derived U.S. citizenship through:

• Birth abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s)
• Automatic derivation after parent's naturalization
• The Child Citizenship Act of 2000

This certificate serves as definitive proof of citizenship, similar to a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

Who Qualifies for an N-600?

You may qualify to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship if you:

•Were born outside the U.S. to a U.S. citizen parent
•Derived citizenship when your parent(s) naturalized while you were under 18
•Became a citizen through the Child Citizenship Act of 2000
•Are now under 18 and living with your U.S. citizen parent
•Were a permanent resident when your parent naturalized (for derivation cases)
•Acquired citizenship through a combination of these factors

Citizenship Through Birth Abroad (Acquisition)

If you were born outside the U.S. to a U.S. citizen parent, your citizenship depends on when you were born and your parents' situation. Current law (for births after November 14, 1986) requires:

• One parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth
• That parent was physically present in the U.S. for at least 5 years
• At least 2 of those years were after age 14

Different rules apply for older birth dates. We can help determine which rules apply to you.

Derivative Citizenship (Through Parent's Naturalization)

Under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, you automatically became a citizen if, before your 18th birthday:

1
Parent Naturalized
At least one of your parents became a U.S. citizen through naturalization.
2
You Were a Permanent Resident
You were a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) at the time.
3
You Were Under 18
You were under 18 years of age when your parent naturalized.
4
You Were in Legal Custody
You were in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent.

Why Get a Certificate of Citizenship?

While not legally required, the N-600 Certificate provides important benefits:

•Official government-issued proof of citizenship
•Needed for passport applications in some cases
•Required for certain government jobs and security clearances
•Helpful for proving citizenship to employers
•Creates a permanent record of your citizenship
•Can replace lost or damaged documentation
•Useful when parents' documents are unavailable

Documents Needed for N-600 Application

The N-600 application requires extensive documentation:

•Your birth certificate (with certified translation if not in English)
•Parent's birth certificate proving U.S. citizenship, OR
•Parent's naturalization certificate or Certificate of Citizenship
•Parent's passport (if available)
•Marriage certificate of parents
•Evidence of parent's physical presence in U.S. (school records, tax returns, employment records)
•Your green card (for derivative citizenship cases)
•Evidence of legal custody
•Two passport-style photographs

The N-600 Application Process

Here's how to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship:

1
Determine Eligibility
Analyze your situation to confirm you qualify under acquisition or derivation rules.
2
Gather Evidence
Collect all required documents, including translations of foreign documents.
3
Complete Form N-600
Fill out the Application for Certificate of Citizenship accurately.
4
Pay Filing Fee
Submit the required fee (fee may be waived for children under 18 filing with parent).
5
Submit Application
Mail your complete application package to the appropriate USCIS lockbox.
6
Attend Interview
If required, attend an interview at your local USCIS office.

N-600 vs. N-600K: Which Form to Use

There are two versions of this application:

• N-600: For persons who are already in the United States
• N-600K: For children residing abroad who will acquire citizenship upon entry

For Costa Mesa families, the N-600 is typically the correct form since the applicant is already in the U.S.

Special Considerations for Arab Families

We understand the unique documentation challenges Arab families may face:

• Obtaining birth certificates from Middle Eastern countries
• Documents in Arabic requiring certified translation
• Parents' immigration history spanning multiple countries
• Complex family situations with multiple marriages
• Name discrepancies between documents
• Lost documents due to displacement or conflict

Our Arabic-speaking staff helps navigate these challenges and ensure proper documentation.

Processing Time and Fees

Current N-600 processing information:

• Filing fee: Check current USCIS fee schedule (fee waivers may be available)
• Processing time: Varies significantly, typically 6-12 months
• Biometrics: Usually required for applicants 14 and older
• Interview: May or may not be scheduled depending on the case

We track your application and keep you informed of its progress.

Our N-600 Services in Costa Mesa

SoCal Immigration Services helps Costa Mesa families with:

•Eligibility determination and case analysis
•Document checklist and compilation
•Certified translations of Arabic documents
•Form N-600 preparation and review
•Physical presence calculation for parents
•Evidence gathering for complex cases
•Interview preparation if required
•Arabic language support throughout the process

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:Is the Certificate of Citizenship the same as a naturalization certificate?

A: No. A naturalization certificate is given to people who become citizens through the naturalization process. A Certificate of Citizenship is for those who acquired citizenship automatically through birth or derived it through their parents.

Q:Can I get a passport without the N-600 Certificate?

A: Possibly. If you have sufficient evidence of your citizenship (parent's citizenship documents, your birth certificate, etc.), you may be able to get a passport directly. However, the N-600 simplifies future passport applications.

Q:I'm over 18. Can I still apply for N-600?

A: Yes. Adults can apply for N-600 to document citizenship they acquired as children. However, you must have met all the requirements before turning 18.

Q:What if my parent passed away before I could apply?

A: You can still apply. You'll need to provide your parent's death certificate and any available documentation of their citizenship.

Q:My parents divorced. Which parent's citizenship counts?

A: Generally, you need to be in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent. Custody arrangements and which parent you lived with will be examined.

Q:How do I prove my parent's physical presence in the U.S.?

A: Evidence can include school records, tax returns, employment records, military records, passport stamps, and any other documents showing your parent was in the U.S. during the required period.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Costa Mesa and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: December 30, 2025Last Updated: December 30, 2025

Need Citizenship Documentation in Costa Mesa?

Get official proof of your or your child's U.S. citizenship. Our experienced team can help you navigate the N-600 application process.

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N-600 Certificate of Citizenship in Costa Mesa: Proof of U.S. Citizenship for Children