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Expeditious Naturalization
For Children
Born Abroad to a U.S. Citizen Parent
Using Grandparents' Physical Presence in the U.S.
to Help the Child Become a U.S. Citizen
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If my child is born abroad, is the child a U.S. citizen?
A: Your child may be a U.S. citizen if you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act to transmit citizenship.
Q: What are those requirements?
A: If you and your spouse are both U.S. citizens and the child was born in wedlock, your child born abroad automatically acquires U.S. citizenship.
If your spouse is an alien, you must have lived in the United States for a specific period of time BEFORE the child was born to transmit citizenship. The length of time depends on when the child was born. For children born on or after November 14, 1986, the U.S. citizen parent must have lived in the United States or an outlying possession for at least 5 years, 2 of which must be after the age of 14. Again, all time must be BEFORE the birth of the child. Additional information is available from the U.S. citizen services unit (public hours Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., except for holidays).
Q: What if I haven't lived in the United States for the required period of time? How can my child become a U.S. citizen?
A: Section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Correction Act of 1994 became effective April 1, 1995. It enables you to apply for Expeditious Naturalization of your child.
Q: How does this work?
A: There are two options. The one that applies to you may depend on where you and your child are residing.
Option 1: If you and your child are living IN the United States and the child entered the United States with a U.S. immigrant visa as a permanent resident, apply at the INS District Office with jurisdiction over your place of residence in the United States. To find out where those offices are located, contact the INS Information Service Line at 1-800-375-5283 (1-800-767-1833 for TTY) or go online at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov
Option 2: If you and your child are residing abroad, the child may be eligible for expeditious naturalization if your parent (the child's U.S. citizen grandparent) was physically present in the United States for a period totaling 5 years, 2 after the age of 14. The grandparent can be living or deceased at the time of application. If deceased, the grandparent must have been a citizen prior to the child's birth and at the time of the grandparent's death.
Q: I will be living abroad with my family for some time. How do I apply for expeditious naturalization for my child using the "grandparent" process?
A: Complete and file INS Form N-600: "Application for Certificate of Citizenship." Send Form N-600 and supporting documents and required fee to one of the INS Field Offices in the United States. For information on how to obtain INS forms, please call the INS Information Service Line at 1-800-375-5283 (1-800-767-1833 for TTY) or go online at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov.
Please note that these forms are NOT available at the U.S. citizen services unit of the Embassy, and that the U.S. citizen services unit CANNOT adjudicate this type of citizenship transmission at the Embassy. This process MUST be done through the INS.
INS will determine whether your child is eligible. If the child is eligible, INS will approve the application and then forward you a letter and naturalization appointment date. You will then request an appointment for a visa at the Embassy. Present the INS approval and appointment letter to the consular officer at the appointment.
The consular officer will issue the child a B-2 visa. This will permit the parents and child to make a one-stop visit to the United States for the purposes of naturalizing the child as a U.S. citizen.
Q: Can I use my parents' (the child's U.S. citizen grandparents') physical presence in the United States to just apply for a U.S. passport and Foreign Service Report of Birth of a U.S. Citizen Abroad, and thus avoid the visa and naturalization process?
A: NO. The Technical Correction Act of 1994 did NOT amend Section 301(G) of the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the acquisition of U.S. citizenship of children born abroad. Section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act created a procedure for the expeditious naturalization of an alien child born to a U.S. citizen parent. The citizenship of a child in these circumstances CANNOT be adjudicated by the U.S. citizen services unit of the Embassy. You must apply through the INS.
Q: Are there any time limits for the application?
A: Yes. For the naturalization benefit to be granted, the application must be filed, adjudicated and approved by the INS, with the oath of allegiance administered before the child's 18th birthday.
Q: How can I find out more about this process?
A: If you have any questions on the application process or need additional application forms, please contact the INS at the INS Information Service Line at 1-800-375-5283 (1-800-767-1833 for TTY) or go online at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov.
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| — Contact Information — |
CARACAS
Citizenship, Passports, Notarials
Telephone: +58 (212) 975-6411
Emergency Services Only:
Telephone: +58 (212) 975-6411
Fax: +58 (212) 907-8199
E-mail: acsvenezuela@state.gov
After Hours Emergency:
Telephone: +58 (212) 975-6411
MARACAIBO
Citizenship, Passports, Notarials
Telephone: +58 (0261) 797-8323 to 25
Hours: Mondays 08:15 a.m. to
12:15 p.m.
Address: Centro Venezolano Americano de Zulia (CEVAZ). Calle 63 #3E-60. Maracaibo, Zulia |
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General Information