Citezenship for child

[cesarcontreras 0]

Hello there, I'm 17 years old and I was born in Venezuela and my dad is US Citizen since 2010. I will be traveling back to the US this year - in between August/October - with a permanent Green Card, my birthday is in December 17th. Therefore my question is; Will I be able to get my naturalization (American Citizenship) through my father? and what if I turn in the N-600 form before my birthday but then while doing the whole process it takes longer and I turn 18 will I have to wait the 5 years, and take History Civic test and so on?

Also I read on the internet that you can get your American Passport and then you'll have some time to turn in the N-600 because that is like "proof that your an american citizen" is that true and should I get a passport then?

[Jamaican JNR 2]

I need more information from you, such as: were you living with your dad in the US when he had his green card? If no, then the answer to your question is no. If yes, then the answer is yes... The child is in legal and physical custody of a parent who is a U.S. citizen, and is under 18, and has a green card. Google "Derivative Citizenship", and it will give you more info.

[cesarcontreras 0]

I need more information from you, such as: were you living with your dad in the US when he had his green card? If no, then the answer to your question is no. If yes, then the answer is yes... The child is in legal and physical custody of a parent who is a U.S. citizen, and is under 18, and has a green card. Google "Derivative Citizenship", and it will give you more info.

I went to the US back in 07' and I was 12 years old with a permanent residence too. But then in 09' I decided to come back to my country. Now that I'm 17 years old, I want to go to college there so my dad is making the whole process all over again and they told him It would take from 6-8 months so I'll be traveling there this year and I'm sure I'll get my permanent Green Card back. But just to clarify he did have a permanent residence when I was living with him, but when I came back in 2010 he got his citizenship while I was living in Venezuela. So I'm guessing that because I'll be under 18 and with a legal custody of my dad (with resident card obviously) over there I'll get my citizenship right away am I right?

Edited May 23, 2012 by cesarcontreras

[nwctzn 55]

I went to the US back in 07' and I was 12 years old with a permanent residence too. But then in 09' I decided to come back to my country. Now that I'm 17 years old, I want to go to college there so my dad is making the whole process all over again and they told him It would take from 6-8 months so I'll be traveling there this year and I'm sure I'll get my permanent Green Card back. But just to clarify he did have a permanent residence when I was living with him, but when I came back in 2010 he got his citizenship while I was living in Venezuela. So I'm guessing that because I'll be under 18 and with a legal custody of my dad (with resident card obviously) over there I'll get my citizenship right away am I right?

I guess you had to be with him in the US and a greencard holder when he was naturalizing. You might want to check with an immigration lawyer if that's correct or not.

[NickD 202]

You broke your residency requirement by staying out of the country that long. Your first concern is getting your permanent resident card back, I gather your father has to repetition for you.

Wouldn't be concerned about getting your citizenship, but can directly ask the USCIS about that in your AOS stages. Stepdaughter also from Venezuela attended a university here as a lawful permanent resident with the same advantages of being a US citizen. Really what motivated her to apply for US citizenship was the opportunity to travel abroad. That she needed a US passport for.

If you can get your green card before you are 18, would apply instantly with the DOS with all the appropriate paper work. They are much quicker than the USCIS. To the best of my knowledge, can also apply for the N-600 as long as you are under 18 when you send in the application. USCIS is just so slow.

Wish you the best in getting your green card back, what is very helpful to you at this stage, you are still a minor.

[cesarcontreras 0]

I guess you had to be with him in the US and a greencard holder when he was naturalizing. You might want to check with an immigration lawyer if that's correct or not.

It's gonna be really hard for me to get an immigration lawyer right now, let's hope someone can answer my question!

[cesarcontreras 0]

You broke your residency requirement by staying out of the country that long. Your first concern is getting your permanent resident card back, I gather your father has to repetition for you.

Wouldn't be concerned about getting your citizenship, but can directly ask the USCIS about that in your AOS stages. Stepdaughter also from Venezuela attended a university here as a lawful permanent resident with the same advantages of being a US citizen. Really what motivated her to apply for US citizenship was the opportunity to travel abroad. That she needed a US passport for.

If you can get your green card before you are 18, would apply instantly with the DOS with all the appropriate paper work. They are much quicker than the USCIS. To the best of my knowledge, can also apply for the N-600 as long as you are under 18 when you send in the application. USCIS is just so slow.

Wish you the best in getting your green card back, what is very helpful to you at this stage, you are still a minor.

Yes, I guess having a US passport has many advantages and It's a requirement for you to be a US Citizen if you want to go to Medical School. But on the other hand if I apply to USCIS and I turn 18 will my age be frozen? and what do I need to turn in at the DOS?

[NickD 202]

Yes, I guess having a US passport has many advantages and It's a requirement for you to be a US Citizen if you want to go to Medical School. But on the other hand if I apply to USCIS and I turn 18 will my age be frozen? and what do I need to turn in at the DOS?

Its all here, http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html

Since you are over 16, don't need permission from your other biological parent, need proof of your dad's US citizenship. Some 9,000 local agents, even in my small town, we have two fo them. Find the one with the most experience, in our case, its the woman that is also the clerk of our courts. They will guide you through the application step by step and make sure you have all of the evidence.

Know my stepdaughter was bouncing around between here and Venezuela, had to go back for a short time to help her to decide, but was over 18 at the time. It wasn't the same country that she remembered as a child and couldn't wait to come back to her home.

This board is primarily for US citizenship, your key concern now is getting that green card. Never ran across a situation like yours, but you can't be the only one. Try this http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/111-bringing-family-members-of-us-citizens-to-america/ section of this site. Maybe someone like you already went through this.