N-600 Certificate of Citizenship in Monrovia: Proving Automatic U.S. Citizenship

Quick Answer

For Monrovia residents who may have automatically acquired U.S. citizenship through their parents, the N-600 Certificate of Citizenship provides official proof of that status. SoCal Immigration Services helps families document and prove derivative citizenship.

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 proving that a person automatically acquired U.S. citizenship through:

Acquisition at Birth:
• Born abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s)
• Parent(s) met physical presence requirements
• Born in wedlock or legitimated

Derivation After Birth:
• Parent(s) naturalized while child under 18
• Child was lawful permanent resident
• Child was in parent's legal custody
• Child Citizenship Act of 2000 requirements met

The certificate serves as proof of citizenship equivalent to a naturalization certificate or U.S. passport.

Who Qualifies for N-600?

You may qualify for a Certificate of Citizenship if you acquired citizenship through your parents:

•Born abroad to two U.S. citizen parents (at least one resided in U.S. before your birth)
•Born abroad to one U.S. citizen parent who met physical presence requirements
•Born abroad out of wedlock to U.S. citizen mother who resided in U.S. for one year
•Born abroad out of wedlock to U.S. citizen father (legitimated and father met residence requirements)
•Became citizen automatically when parent naturalized while you were under 18 and a permanent resident
•Adopted child who met citizenship requirements through adoptive citizen parents

Physical Presence Requirements by Date of Birth

The requirements for citizenship through parents depend on when you were born:

Birth Date	Two Citizen Parents	One Citizen Parent
Before 12/24/1952	One parent resided in U.S.	Citizen parent: 10 years in U.S., 5 after age 14
12/24/1952 - 11/13/1986	One parent resided in U.S.	Citizen parent: 10 years in U.S., 5 after age 14
11/14/1986 - Present	One parent resided in U.S.	Citizen parent: 5 years in U.S., 2 after age 14

Child Citizenship Act of 2000

The Child Citizenship Act (CCA) made it easier for children to derive citizenship:

CCA Requirements (children under 18 on February 27, 2001):
• At least one parent is a U.S. citizen (by birth or naturalization)
• Child is under 18 years old
• Child is a lawful permanent resident
• Child resides in the United States in legal and physical custody of citizen parent

Automatic Citizenship:
• If all conditions met, citizenship is automatic
• No application required for citizenship itself
• N-600 documents existing citizenship

Many Monrovia families may have children who became citizens automatically when a parent naturalized but never obtained documentation.

Required Documents for N-600

Documentation needed to prove citizenship acquisition:

•Form N-600 completed and signed
•Filing fee ($1,385 as of 2026)
•Two passport-style photos
•Birth certificate showing parents' names
•Parents' birth certificates or naturalization certificates
•Parents' marriage certificate (if applicable)
•Evidence of parent's U.S. residence/physical presence
•Your green card (if deriving through naturalization)
•Evidence of legal custody (if parents divorced)
•Legitimation evidence (if born out of wedlock to citizen father)

Proving Parent's Physical Presence

Demonstrating your parent lived in the U.S. long enough is often the most challenging part:

Types of Evidence:
• School transcripts and diplomas
• Employment records (W-2s, pay stubs, tax returns)
• Military service records
• Lease agreements and utility bills
• Medical records with U.S. addresses
• Church or organization membership records
• Driver's license history
• Social Security earnings records
• Affidavits from people who knew parent in U.S.

For Monrovia Families:
• Gather evidence systematically by year
• Request records from schools, employers, SSA
• Family members may provide sworn statements
• Old photographs with dates and locations help

N-600 vs. N-600K for Children Abroad

Understanding the difference between these forms:

Form N-600:
• Used when child is already in the United States
• Proves existing citizenship (already acquired)
• Documents citizenship that occurred automatically
• No interview required outside U.S.

Form N-600K:
• Used when child is living abroad
• For children who would have acquired citizenship if resident in U.S.
• Requires interview at U.S. embassy/consulate
• More complex process

Most Monrovia applicants will use Form N-600.

The N-600 Application Process

Steps to obtain your Certificate of Citizenship:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility
• Review which law applies to your situation
• Calculate parent's physical presence
• Confirm all requirements were met

Step 2: Gather Documents
• Collect all required evidence
• Obtain certified copies of vital records
• Translate foreign documents

Step 3: Complete Form N-600
• Provide detailed information about parents
• Explain how citizenship was acquired
• List all evidence being submitted

Step 4: Submit Application
• File with USCIS
• Pay filing fee ($1,385)
• Submit biometrics if required

Step 5: Interview (if required)
• Some cases require in-person interview
• Bring original documents
• Answer questions about your claim

Step 6: Receive Decision
• Certificate mailed if approved
• May request additional evidence
• Can appeal if denied

Processing Times and Fees

Current information for N-600 applications:

Item	Details	Notes
Filing Fee	$1,385	No fee waiver available
Biometrics Fee	$0	Included in filing fee
Processing Time	6-18 months	Varies by USCIS office
Interview	Case by case	Not always required
Certificate Delivery	2-4 weeks after approval	Mailed to address on file

Common N-600 Issues and Solutions

Challenges Monrovia families often face:

•Missing parent's physical presence evidence - Use secondary evidence, affidavits, circumstantial proof
•Parent deceased - Use death certificate, obtain records from estate, family testimony
•Parents divorced - Document legal custody at time of naturalization
•Born out of wedlock - Prove legitimation under applicable law
•Cannot find old records - Request from SSA, IRS, schools, military; use affidavits
•Complex family situations - Consult attorney to analyze which law applies
•Parent had expired green card when naturalized - May still qualify if LPR status was valid

Why Get a Certificate of Citizenship?

The Certificate of Citizenship provides important benefits:

Proof of Status:
• Definitive evidence of U.S. citizenship
• Accepted by all government agencies
• Cannot be revoked (unlike naturalization in some cases)

Practical Uses:
• Apply for U.S. passport
• Prove work eligibility (I-9)
• Register to vote
• Obtain security clearances
• Sponsor family members for immigration
• Access federal employment

Peace of Mind:
• Permanent record of citizenship
• Resolves questions about status
• Important for children/grandchildren's citizenship claims

Citizenship Through Grandparents

In some cases, citizenship can pass through multiple generations:

If Your Parent Was a Citizen by Birth Abroad:
• Your parent must have acquired citizenship validly
• Then your parent must have transmitted citizenship to you
• Same physical presence rules apply to each generation

Documentation Required:
• Grandparent's citizenship evidence
• Parent's citizenship acquisition evidence
• Your citizenship acquisition evidence
• Physical presence for each transmitting ancestor

These multi-generational cases are complex and require careful legal analysis.

Alternatives to N-600

Other ways to document U.S. citizenship:

U.S. Passport:
• Can apply directly with evidence of citizenship
• Less expensive than N-600 ($165 vs $1,385)
• Serves as citizenship proof and travel document
• State Department makes citizenship determination

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA):
• For children born abroad to citizen parents
• Must be applied for before child turns 18
• Issued by U.S. embassy/consulate
• Similar proof value as birth certificate

When N-600 is Preferable:
• Passport application was denied
• Need permanent record (passports expire)
• Complex cases needing USCIS adjudication
• Want to establish precedent for other family members

Monrovia N-600 Application Services

SoCal Immigration Services assists Monrovia families with citizenship documentation:

•Eligibility analysis under applicable citizenship laws
•Physical presence calculation and documentation strategy
•Gathering and organizing supporting evidence
•Document translation services (Arabic to English)
•N-600 form preparation and filing
•Interview preparation if required
•Response to USCIS requests for evidence
•Appeals if application denied

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:How do I know if I'm already a U.S. citizen?

A: If your parent was a U.S. citizen when you were born (or naturalized while you were under 18 and a green card holder in their custody), you may already be a citizen. The N-600 doesn't make you a citizen - it documents citizenship you already have.

Q:Can I apply for N-600 as an adult?

A: Yes, there is no age limit to apply for N-600. Many adults discover they may be citizens through their parents later in life. You'll need to prove the requirements were met at the relevant time (your birth or parent's naturalization).

Q:What if my parent can't remember where they lived?

A: Use systematic evidence gathering: Social Security records, tax returns, school records, employment records, and family photos with dates. Multiple pieces of circumstantial evidence can establish physical presence even without perfect records.

Q:Is the N-600 interview difficult?

A: Not all N-600 cases require interviews. When required, the interview focuses on verifying your documents and confirming the facts in your application. Being prepared with original documents and consistent answers is key.

Q:Why is N-600 so expensive compared to a passport?

A: The N-600 fee ($1,385) reflects USCIS's cost of thoroughly adjudicating citizenship claims. A passport costs less ($165) but State Department may refer complex cases back to USCIS. The certificate is permanent while passports expire.

Q:Can I use N-600 if my parent's green card was expired when they naturalized?

A: Possibly. What matters is whether your parent was a lawful permanent resident in status, not whether the card was current. LPR status continues even with an expired card. The timing and circumstances need careful analysis.

Q:What if my parents weren't married when I was born?

A: You may still qualify. If your mother was a U.S. citizen, requirements are straightforward. If your father was the citizen, you'll need to prove legitimation and his physical presence. The applicable law depends on your birth date.

Q:How long does the N-600 process take in Monrovia?

A: Currently 6-18 months from filing to decision. Processing times vary based on case complexity, evidence provided, and USCIS workload. Cases requiring interviews or additional evidence take longer.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Monrovia 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: January 26, 2026Last Updated: January 26, 2026

Think You May Be a U.S. Citizen Through Your Parents?

Our Arabic-speaking team helps Monrovia families document citizenship acquired through parents. We analyze complex family situations and build strong applications for Certificates of Citizenship.

Serving Monrovia and all of Southern California

Schedule Free Consultation (714) 421-8872

citizenship•Long Beach