How to get my kids citizenship

[Henia 11]

Hey all, I have a question regarding reporting a birth aboard. I have 4, 3 of which was born in my husband's native country. I immigrated to the US when I was young (3) I had legal residence but didn't get my citizenship until 2007 (due to my stupidity and laziness) I've contacted my local US consular office, asking if my children qualify for US citizenship but only got a short and little sarcastic reply ... telling they may or may not qualify and that I should file, pay the fee and wait to see. Well I'm not a rich person, the cost for 3 children is really high just to 'wait and see'. Is there anyway to know without having to pay the fee? If I know they qualify, I'm happy to pay, but not willing to throw $900 out the door for a "no" answer.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Mark88 183]

How old are your children? Were any born after 2007?

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

Assuming your husband is not a US citizen, then it sounds like any kids of yours born after you got citizenship would qualify as you had more than 5 years presence in the USA before that. But more details would be good, such as age of kids,

[sjr09 155]

Hey all, I have a question regarding reporting a birth aboard. I have 4, 3 of which was born in my husband's native country. I immigrated to the US when I was young (3) I had legal residence but didn't get my citizenship until 2007 (due to my stupidity and laziness) I've contacted my local US consular office, asking if my children qualify for US citizenship but only got a short and little sarcastic reply ... telling they may or may not qualify and that I should file, pay the fee and wait to see. Well I'm not a rich person, the cost for 3 children is really high just to 'wait and see'. Is there anyway to know without having to pay the fee? If I know they qualify, I'm happy to pay, but not willing to throw $900 out the door for a "no" answer.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

The consular office is not giving you a “sarcastic reply” as they can not tell you over the phone if you do or don’t qualify e.g. Documents and such. As for the fees for the CRBA your looking $615 or $705 for the three children not $900

As for qualifying you can read link below and find all the answers it’s simple and straight forward.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/living_5497.html

Good Luck

[Henia 11]

Thanks everyone! iI've check the link you posted 808lady. what does it mean "proof of presence?" I live in Algeria, my husband's country not the US. But I lived in the US from age 3 to age 26 - went to school there, worked there, etc.

The additional information: My children all were born in my husband's native country; ages: 5 born Sept 2008, going to be 4 born Nov 2009 and almost 2 born March 2012. I immigrated to the US at the age of 3, had legal residency for that time, but due to my laziness and stupidity didn't apply for citizenship until 2006, which was granted in 2007.

Also can anyone tell me about the timeline for filing CRBA? Thank you everyone!

[Mark88 183]

Your kids were all born after you naturalized. Physical presence as a LPR counts, too. Get them a CRBA and you shold be fine.

[Henia 11]

Thanks a bunch Mark for that clarification! You just made my day!!!!!!!!