I became a citizen earlier this year and my two kids (teenagers) received their green cards recently. What is the process for them to become citizens? Is it automatic or do we need to apply?

Thanks!

I don't think anything happens when a parent naturalizes, I just researched a bit on this and didn't find anything useful. I believe they will have to file when they turn 18.

This is just false.
Look at the law below:
http://www.schulzlaw.com/mschulz_citz.php
Derivation of US Citizenship as a Minor through Naturalization of One or Both Parents
Derivation means that the minor automatically becomes a citizen when the parent or parents naturalize. There is no requirement for the minor to apply to the USCIS for citizenship, instead the minor can apply directly for a US passport.
After February 27, 2001:
The child must be unmarried;
The child must be under 18;
The child must have at least one US citizen parent (by birth or naturalization);
The child must be currently residing permanently in the US in the legal and physical custody of the US citizen parent
The child must be a lawful permanent resident of the US; and
If adopted, the child must satisfy the requirements applicable to adopted children under US immigration law.
The child can still do an N-600 to get his or her certificate if they please.

I didn't say it was the gospel truth! I just researched, found one website that said no, kept looking, and didn't find anything.

That's good news though

Thank you so much for your help - Riblet, for going to the trouble to do a little research and Satellite to you for giving me the information. THANK you!

Satellite - love your avatar! I'm South African so miss the wildlife...

As Satellite stated, as long as both children are unmarried and under the age of 18 at the time you naturalize, they will derive US Citizenshipo from you. They will be able to file for a passport. FOr evidence of their Citizenship, you would need to file a N-600 for each of them..

so if my father was naturalized before i was born, and was living in canada when i was born, then i have absolutely no way to use my father's citizenship as a way to help me get my dual citizenship, correct?

You can either file an N-600, which will give the kids a "Certificate of Citizenship", or whatever it's called, which may be something they will need later in life, who knows. But you can apply for passports for them now.

I simpy applied for a passport for my daughter, which only took a couple of weeks for them to get to her. Much faster than anything the USCIS has ever done for us!!! I didn't see the need for a "Certificate of Citizenship" right now. How many "Americans" do you know with one of those - she can always show her passport to prove she is a USC.

Oh, and it was a lot cheaper!

Girona40 - what did you need to have for the kids to apply for their US passports? I am a USC and my husband is going through the naturalization process right now - we are trying to get his kids their USC and trying to find out what we need and how long it will take. Any advice or help you can provide would be great!

Submitting the Naturalization Certificate of the Parent, the Birth Certificate of the Child, and typically the marriage certificate of the mother if the last name of the mother has changed is enough... Basically the same materials that are required for the N-600.







That depends on when you were born and how long your father lived in the US before you were born... not enough information to say yeah or nay...