Apply for a US passport instead of N600?

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vea1992

New Member
My father has been a US citizen since 1999 and I've had my green card since 1998. My parents divorced in 1993 and my father won sole custody of me after which, I moved to the US to live with him. He also served in the US navy and was honorably discharged prior to becoming a naturalized citizen. My stepmother petitioned for me to get my green card in 1998. I was only 9 years old when the Child Citizen Act of 200 was enacted.

I currently live in the US now, I am 20 years old. I'm about to file for the N600 form but due to financial difficulties and time constraint, many people told me that I could just apply for the US passport right away since I automatically became a citizen after the Child Citizenship act of 2000. Is this information correct? If so, are the following documents:

1. Child's original birth certificate from original birth country. It should be in English and should have both father's and mother's name on it.
2. Original marriage certificate.
3. Child's original green card.
4. Fathers naturalization certificate.
5. 2 photos and fees.

All I would need to provide? Please let me know if the information which was provided is correct. Also, my father is not living in the US anymore and was planning on just mailing all the necessary documents to me. Would that be okay or would he need to make an appearance?

Unfortunately, I do not have the finances to see a lawyer and have just enough to file for the N600 form or if possible, a US passport right away. I do plan on filing for the N600 sometime in the near future when I have the money.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your answers.
 
Yes, you can apply for the US passport right away. If you are constrained for time and/or money, apply for the passport first since it is quicker and cheaper and generally more useful.

1. Child's original birth certificate from original birth country. It should be in English and should have both father's and mother's name on it.
2. Original marriage certificate.
3. Child's original green card.
4. Fathers naturalization certificate.
5. 2 photos and fees.
Click to expand...
In addition to those, you also need:

6. The divorce decree with custody papers
7. Proof that your father was living in the US (or outside the US in the military) for some time between his naturalization and your 18th birthday.
8. Proof that you were living with your father for some time of #7 (e.g. school records, military dependent records).
9. You need the original foreign-language birth certificate in addition to the certified English translation, if the original certificate itself is not in English.
 
Jackolantern said:
Yes, you can apply for the US passport right away. If you are constrained for time and/or money, apply for the passport first since it is quicker and cheaper and generally more useful.


In addition to those, you also need:

6. The divorce decree with custody papers
7. Proof that your father was living in the US (or outside the US in the military) for some time between his naturalization and your 18th birthday.
8. Proof that you were living with your father for some time of #7 (e.g. school records, military dependent records).
9. You need the original foreign-language birth certificate in addition to the certified English translation, if the original certificate itself is not in English.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply Jackolanten. So to my understanding I do indeed qualify to get my US passport right away?

As for the documents I would need to provide, which need to be originals? and is my fathers presence required?
 
Yes, based on the information you provided, you qualify for a US passport right away.

For the passport application you need to give them the original documents. They will mail them back to you separately from the passport.

For the N-600 you only need to send copies, however they may request original documents near the end of the process.
 
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