Eligibility US citizenship of children born abroad

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nnugteren

Registered Users (C)
I am a US citizen, but have lived abroad most of my life (The Netherlands). I currently live in the US and would like to apply for US citizenship for my two children.

These are the specifics of my situation:
- I was born in US in 1968 and through birth received US citizenship
- I moved to Netherlands in 1978
- I received Dutch citizenship in ~1999 (never gave up my US citizenship - hence dual citizenship since then)
- My children were born in Netherlands in 2002 and 2006 (as Dutch citizens)
- My wife and two children (all Dutch citizens) moved with me to the US in 2007 (received green cards)

My wife and I would like for my children to become US citizens (and preferably dual-citizenship if possible).

Are they eligible? Through which procedure?

Thanks very much!!
 
Assuming your children have been living with you in the US since obtaining their green cards, they already derived US citizenship through the Child Citizenship Act when their green cards were approved. Now it is just a matter of applying for official proof of their citizenship in the form of a US passport and/or filing N-600 for a Certificate of Citizenship.

To become a US citizen your wife will have to file N-400 and go through the naturalization process. If she received her green card in 2007, she would be able to choose between the marriage-based 3-year rule and the regular 5-year rule. The 5-year rule is generally simpler if she qualifies for it, because the 3-year rule involves additional paperwork and scrutiny of the marriage. For more information, download form N-400 and its instructions, and read the Guide To Naturalization.
 
Hi

Just out of curiosity- Since you are a US citizen through birth, the birth of your children abroad should entitle them to become US citizens when they were born.

The only thing is to register the birth of your children at the nearby US consular ASAP. Thus, I am surprised that your children still need to go thru the citizenship process. Anyway, right now you need to file Form N-600 for your children if they are under 18 years old for them to be US citizens.


Please read the following link:
http://travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/birth/birth_593.html

USCIS-Citizenship through parents:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=32dffe9dd4aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

Good luck!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The children did not derive citizenship because the OP never lived in the US past his 14th birthday. Now, they don't have to go through a citizenship process because they automatically became citizens. They just need to apply for passports and, if the OP chooses, as he should, certificates of citizenship.
 
cafeconleche said:
The children did not derive citizenship because the OP never lived in the US past his 14th birthday. Now, they don't have to go through a citizenship process because they automatically became citizens. They just need to apply for passports and, if the OP chooses, as he should, certificates of citizenship.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much!
 
cafeconleche said:
The children did not derive citizenship because the OP never lived in the US past his 14th birthday. Now, they don't have to go through a citizenship process because they automatically became citizens. They just need to apply for passports and, if the OP chooses, as he should, certificates of citizenship.
Click to expand...

Hi there, thanks for your advice, this is very helpful. Based on your wording above I was wondering what the benefit is of applying for certificates of citizenship - in addition to passports?
 
They never expire, unlike passports. Your kids might, for example, choose not to renew their passports if they live abroad and never use their US passports or travel to the US (if they travel to the US, the MUST use their US passports, as you know), so they'll at least have the certificates as proof for whatever reason. Otherwise, they'll need their birth certificates and YOUR certificate and other documents every time (like if they lose their passports). So, it's good proof, and it'll be their own.
 
cafeconleche said:
They never expire, unlike passports. Your kids might, for example, choose not to renew their passports if they live abroad and never use their US passports ...
Click to expand...

Or simply live in the US without a passport, like most Americans.

Otherwise, they'll need their birth certificates and YOUR certificate and other documents every time (like if they lose their passports).
Click to expand...
Yes. In addition to the certificate being non-expiring, it also ends their potential future dependence on your citizenship documents.
 
cafeconleche said:
They never expire, unlike passports. Your kids might, for example, choose not to renew their passports if they live abroad and never use their US passports or travel to the US (if they travel to the US, the MUST use their US passports, as you know), so they'll at least have the certificates as proof for whatever reason. Otherwise, they'll need their birth certificates and YOUR certificate and other documents every time (like if they lose their passports). So, it's good proof, and it'll be their own.
Click to expand...

That makes perfect sense - and that's what we'll do. Thanks very much.

Nils
 
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