Citizenship through American-born father

[MPP 0]

I want to know if I qualify for the N-400 citizenship application, and I was hoping someone with immigration law experience could answer this question.

I was approved for PR in June 2003, when I was 16 years old, living with my father here in the USA. I entered the country when I was 14 on a visitor's visa, then I went through the permanent residence application soon after. I want to apply for citizenship now and if possible, i was hoping to apply directly for the certificate of citizenship, since my dad is American-born.

The reason I'm asking is because I wouldn't like to waste the $500 on the application in case that there's something by which I don't qualify, and to file N-600 instead.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Edited May 7, 2009 by MPP

[Italian_in_NYC 259]

I want to know if I qualify for the N-400 citizenship application, and I was hoping someone with immigration law experience could answer this question.

I was approved for PR in June 2003, when I was 16 years old, living with my father here in the USA. I entered the country when I was 14 on a visitor's visa, then I went through the permanent residence application soon after. I want to apply for citizenship now and if possible, i was hoping to apply directly for the certificate of citizenship, since my dad is American-born.

The reason I'm asking is because I wouldn't like to waste the $500 on the application in case that there's something by which I don't qualify, and to file N-600 instead.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

I think your dad should have reported your birth abroad at the local US Consulate and you could have obtained a US passport.

I think you are a US citizen by birth, unless your dad never lived in the US after he was 14.

I don't know whether you should just apply for a US passport (using your dad US birth certificate and your birth certificate with his name as the father on it) or you have to go through the N-600.

I don't think you have to apply for naturalization because IMO you're a USC by birth.