Citizenship for a Child Living Abroad (Form N-600K)

Who qualifies

Child under 18 living outside the U.S. in legal and physical custody of a U.S. citizen parent. Parent or citizen grandparent must meet U.S. physical presence rules.

The step-by-step roadmap

1. 1

   Confirm Eligibility and Physical Presence

   Determine if the U.S. citizen parent or citizen grandparent meets the required 5 years of physical presence in the U.S.

   Watch out: The child must complete the interview and take the oath before their 18th birthday.

   Common rejection reason: Filing when neither the parent nor the grandparent has enough documented physical presence in the U.S.
2. 2

   Prepare and Submit Form N-600K

   Complete the application and file it online or by mail along with supporting vital records and presence records.

   Watch out: Do not submit duplicate or incomplete documentation.

   Common rejection reason: Submitting the wrong filing fee or missing official certified translations.
3. 3

   Receive Interview Scheduling Notice

   USCIS reviews the case and schedules an in-person interview at a field office inside the United States.

   Watch out: Allow enough processing time before the child turns 18 to attend the scheduled appointment.

   Common rejection reason: Missing scheduled interview appointments without notifying USCIS in advance.
4. 4

   Travel to the U.S. and Attend Interview

   Enter the U.S. lawfully on a temporary visa or visa waiver and attend the interview to take the Oath of Allegiance.

   Watch out: The child must be physically present in the U.S. under lawful admission at the time of the oath.

   Common rejection reason: Failure to maintain lawful nonimmigrant status at the time of the interview and oath.

Documents you'll need

• Child's Certified Birth Certificate

  Official birth certificate listing the parents' full names.

  Note: Must include a certified English translation if the original is in a foreign language.

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship

  U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or valid U.S. passport of the parent or grandparent.

  Note: Clear photocopies are sufficient for filing, but bring originals to the interview.

• Proof of Required Physical Presence

  School transcripts, employment records, tax filings, or military records showing at least 5 years of presence (2 after age 14).

  Note: If using a citizen grandparent's presence, include proof that the grandparent is a U.S. citizen.