acasnow

Also, the N-600 is for IR-2 and IR-4 kids. IR-3 kids will be mailed a CofC automatically. That said, the IR-3 kids need an I-600, which is $720 bucks. IR-2 and IR-4 kids need the I-130 and the N-600 both. If you've completed the adoption overseas, and have lived with the kids for at least two years (plus the legal custody years), then you qualify for the N-600K. That can save you some cash. Again, good luck.

Brother, the N-600 is an assertion that you already are a citizen, but the N-600k is a naturalization document. It gets the ball rolling.

The first one is for folks (adopted kids mostly, I guess) who become citizens when their feet hit U.S. soil. They will already have enough information to get a passport, but I think (not positive) that U.S. records will continue to list them as permanent residents. The N-600 will prompt Uncle Sam to fix his records, and issue a CofC. It shouldn't cost $550 bucks, but it does. It's a good idea to get this. Your child may someday want to adopt overseas or marry a Filipina (like I did!). If you fill out the N-600, then you could save them a lot of headaches later. Of course, if they never leave the U.S., then it's no big deal, though the passport will need to be periodically renewed.

The N-600K is for adopted kids who are currently overseas who are already adopted. The one big wrinkle is that there must be two years living together with the kids, plus at least two years of legal custody before you even apply. The latter must be declared by a court. I'm pretty sure, but not positive, that those two year periods need not be done at the same time (i.e., you could live with them for two years before your legal custody starts, then go work back in the states after being granted custody, and it would all still count). It also costs $550, and is actually a bargain. For that price you get citizenship all tied up neatly with no loose ends. With the N-600, you first need to spend $420 on the I-130, then another $550 on the N-600. Ouch. Best, I think, to just go with the N-600K before immigrating, if that's an option.

Loveydovey, you are correct. After getting citizenship, the kids are then likely (certainly able) to live outside of the states.

Good luck to all.