N-400 process

[joyride 0]

Hello,

 

I will be starting my N-400, I have a daughter who is 16 yrs old, my question is does my daughter take the test, ie.. interview and citizenship questions test?  Or does she fall under me, If I pass the test, then she automatically becomes a U.S. Citizen?

[OldUser 6,851]

If the daughter is your biological daughter, is LPR, under 18 and lives in your full physical custody at the time you naturalize, she will be US citizen by operation by law.

 

You will be able to get her US passport and (highly recommended) certificate of citizenship (N-600).

[joyride 0]

Thanks for that fast response....both of have green cards, she is my biological daughter and she does live with me all the time.  

 

And does she need to pay N-400 fee?  Or just me?

[OldUser 6,851]

12 minutes ago, joyride said:

Thanks for that fast response....both of have green cards, she is my biological daughter and she does live with me all the time.  

 

And does she need to pay N-400 fee?  Or just me?

No, only you have to pay N-400 fee.

But if you need her to have a certificate of citizenship, she cannot do N-400 (will be denied) and should file N-600 instead. And I wish the fee was as low as N-400!

 

You can delay filing N-600, but that is one the best presents for 18th / 21st birthday you can give to your child.

 

Here's reasons why:

 

 

 

 

[joyride 0]

Thank you

[joyride 0]

Ok, saw the fee for the N-600....alot.  If I  do not put my daughter on my N-400, and file a separate N-400 for her is that possible?   And save some $

[RauLia 3]

Once you pass your test, your daughter will automatically be a US Citizen. I just recently became Citizen. That’s the they told us during Oath. 

Edited August 14 by RauLia

[OldUser 6,851]

1 hour ago, joyride said:

Ok, saw the fee for the N-600....alot.  If I  do not put my daughter on my N-400, and file a separate N-400 for her is that possible?   And save some $

No, her N-400 will be denied, because a US citizen cannot apply for naturalization. Also, you always need to list your kids in N-400, don't misrepresent yourself as this may prevent you from naturalizing.

N-600 is optional, not required. But highly recommended. You don't have to do it immediately or ever. The only risk is if your daughter will have issues proving she's a US citizen in the future. That may cost more than N-600 (lawyer fees etc)

Edited August 14 by OldUser

[OldUser 6,851]

13 minutes ago, OldUser said:

No, her N-400 will be denied, because a US citizen cannot apply for naturalization. Also, you always need to list your kids in N-400, don't misrepresent yourself as this may prevent you from naturalizing.

N-600 is optional, not required. But highly recommended. You don't have to do it immediately or ever. The only risk is if your daughter will have issues proving she's a US citizen in the future. That may cost more than N-600 (lawyer fees etc)

Just an idea. If current filing fee doesn't change, you can save $1335 in 12 months by putting aside $111.25 every month.

[mam521 2,102]

Your daughter will become a derivative citizen through you.  You cannot file an N-400 for her.  You can get her a passport and file N-600.  If you file the N-600, she will have to do biometrics and attend an oath ceremony, just like you.  

 

The passport will have her recognized as a US citizen with the Department of State and serves as evidence of citizenship.  They will take her greencard at the time of the passport application.  Many people just get a passport, but if it ever gets lost or stolen, there is no record of proof that your child is actually a citizen. When an N-600 is secured, USCIS will recognize her in their system as a US citizen and serve as proof of citizenship.  

 

I contemplated whether I needed the N-600 or not for my kids and ultimately just sucked it up and paid the fees.  After reading some nightmarish threads elsewhere of people with passports only and no USCIS issued evidence of citizenship, I decided it was far easier to have than not.  Yes, it isn't a nice fee to pay, but it seems like a small price compared to some of the other headaches others have experienced.