Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322

OMB No. 1615-0087; Expires 09/30/09

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Instructions for N-600K, Application for Citizenship
and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
Instructions

Please read these instructions carefully to properly complete this form. If you need more space to complete an answer, use a
separate sheet(s) of paper. Write your name and Alien Registration Number (A #), if any, at the top of each sheet of paper
and indicate the section and number of the item to which the answer refers.

What Is the Purpose of This Form?
This form, the N-600K is an application for the naturalization
of a child who regularly resides outside the United States
and for the issuance of a Certificate of Citizenship to the
child.

3.

Is a biological child who is a legitimate child or is a child
who was legitimated, while in the legal custody of the
legitimating parent(s), prior to reaching the sixteenth
birthday or

4.

Is an adopted child who has a full and final adoption and
the child either is the beneficiary of an approved I-600 or
fulfilled the two-years legal custody, two-years joint
residence requirements of INA section 101(b)(1)(E).

Who May Use Form N-600K?
The following individuals may use this form:
1.

2.

A U.S. citizen parent seeking citizenship on behalf of a
minor adopted or biological child under section 322 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (providing for
citizenship through an application process for biological
and adopted children who regularly reside outside of the
United States and meet certain conditions while under the
age of 18 years).
If a U.S. citizen parent of a child who otherwise meets the
eligibility requirements of INA 322 has died, a U.S.
citizen parent of the U.S. citizen parent or a U.S. legal
guardian can file this application at any time within five
years of the U.S. citizen parent's death.

Who May File Form N-600K?
This form should be filed only if the child:
1.

In the case of minor adopted or biological children (under
18 years) qualifying for citizenship under section 322 of
the INA, the application must be filed by the U.S. citizen
parent with legal and physical custody of the child.

2.

In the case of an application filed by a U.S. citizen parent
of a deceased citizen parent or of an application filed by a
U.S. citizen legal guardian, the child does not have to be
residing in the legal and physical custody of the applicant.
The application can be filed and approved if the child is
residing in the legal and physical custody of a person who
does not object to the application.

3. Will not yet have reached their eighteenth birthday at the
time of fulfilling all of the requirements for citizenship,
including the required interview of U.S. citizen parent and
the child, and

Who May Not File Form N-600K?
Therefore this form should not be used for stepchildren,
children who are not legitimate and children who were not
legitimated prior to their 16th birthday. Such children are not
eligible for benefits under section 322 of the INA. Any
person other than a citizen parent should not use this form
except in cases in which a U.S. citizen parent has died.

What Is the Filing Fee?
The fee for Form N-600K is $460.00. Except for a person who
is requesting a Certificate of Citizenship for an adopted child,
(checking Part 2, Box A or C on the form), all applicants
must pay the fee for filing Form N-600K, under section 322 of
the INA .
For U.S. citizen parents, or a U.S. citizen grandparent or U.S.
citizen legal guardian filing in lieu of a deceased U.S. citizen
parent, filing on behalf of an adopted minor child under
section 322 of the INA (checking Part 2, Box B on the
form), the fee for this is $420.00.
Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or
money order for the Form N-600K.
1. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or
other financial institution located in the United States and
must be payable in U.S. currency; and
2.

Make the check or money order payable to U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, unless:
A. If you live in Guam and are filing your petition there,
make it payable to Treasurer, Guam.

Form N-600K Instructions (Rev. 09/06/07)Y

B. If you live in the U.S. Virgin Islands and are filing
your petition there, make it payable to Commissioner
of Finance of the Virgin Islands.
C. If you live outside the United States, Guam, or the
U.S. Virgin Islands, contact the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate for instructions on the method of
payment.

General Instructions.
Step 1. Fill Out Form N-600K.
1.

Type or print legibly in black ink.

2.

If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a
continuation sheet, indicate the item number, and date and
sign each sheet.

3.

Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an
item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is "none,"
write none.

4.

If the child has a USCIS "A" number, write the "A"
number in the place indicated on the top right hand
corner of the first page. Use the ''A" number on the
Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as the Alien
Registration Receipt or ''Green'' Card), if the child has one.
Otherwise, use the ''A'' number shown on the USCIS or
former INS-issued correspondence about the child.

NOTE: Please spell out U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; do not use the initials "USDHS" or "DHS."
Notice to Those Making Payment by Check. If you send us
a check, it will be converted into an electronic funds transfer
(EFT). This means we will copy your check and use the
account information on it to electronically debit your account
for the amount of the check. The debit from your account will
usually take 24 hours, and will be shown on your regular
account statement.
You will not receive your original check back. We will
destroy your original check, but we will keep a copy of it. If
the EFT cannot be processed for technical reasons, you
authorize us to process the copy in place of your original
check. If the EFT cannot be completed because of insufficient
funds, we may try to make the transfer up to two times.

Step 2. General Requirements.

How to Check If the Fees Are Correct.

Translations. Any document containing foreign language

The form and biometric fees on this form are current as of the
edition date appearing in the lower right corner of this page.
However, because USCIS fees change periodically, you can
verify if the fees are correct by following one of the steps
below:
1. Visit our website at www.uscis.gov, select "Immigration
Forms" and check the appropriate fee;
2. Review the Fee Schedule included in your form package,
if you called us to request the form; or
3. Telephone our National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 and ask for the fee information.
NOTE: If your Form N-600K requires payment of a
biometric service fee for USCIS to take your fingerprints,
photograph, or signature, you can use the same procedure to
obtain the correct biometric fee.

Where To File.
For all applicants seeking a U.S. citizenship and the issuance
of a Certificate of Citizenship for a minor adopted or
biological child who resides outside of the United States and
qualifies for citizenship under section 322 of the INA, the
Form N-600K may be filed at any USCIS office or suboffice
in the United States or its outlying possessions (including San
Juan, Puerto Rico; the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Guam). The
address of USCIS offices can be found at: www.uscis.gov.

submitted to USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English
language translation which the translator has certified as
complete and accurate, and by the translator's certification that
he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language
into English.

Copies. Unless specifically required that an original

document be filed with an application or petition, an ordinary
legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents
submitted when not required will remain a part of the record,
even if the submission was not required. Do not send an
original Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of
Naturalization. USCIS may request that you present original
documents at the interview.

What Documents or Evidence
Must I Send With the Application?
The following is a list of documents that must be submitted
with the Form N-600K. Unless specifically noted otherwise,
every applicant must submit each of the documents listed
below for himself/herself and the U.S. citizen parent(s) (or
grandparent(s) if applicable) through whom the applicant
is claiming U.S. citizenship.

Form N-600K Instructions (Rev. 09/06/07)Y Page 2

1. Photographs.
You must submit two identical color photographs of
yourself taken within 30 days of the filing of this
application. The photos must have a white to off-white
background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish,
and be unmounted and unretouched.
NOTE: Because of the current USCIS scanning
process, if a digital photo is submitted, it needs to be
produced from a high resolution camera, which has at
least a 3.5 mega pixel.
Passport-style photos must be 2" x 2." The photos must
be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to offwhite background. Head height should measure 1" to 1
3/8" from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is
between 1 1/8" to 1 3/8" from bottom of photo. Your head
must be bare unless you are wearing a headdress as
required by a religious order of which you are a member.
Using pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and Alien
Receipt Number on the back of the photo.
2.

3.

Proof of Legal Guardianship - Proof of legal
guardianship issued by competent authority in the place
of residence of the legal guardian must be submitted for
any application filed by a legal guardian in lieu of a
deceased citizen parent.

8.

Proof of Legal Custody - (Only required for applicants
whose U.S. citizen parent(s) divorced and/or separated
and for applicants who are adopted or legitimated).

9.

Evidence of Lawful Admission and Maintenance of
Such Lawful Status (e.g. Form I-94, Arrival/Departure
Record) - (Required at time of interview for all applicants
seeking citizenship under section 322 of the INA).

10. Proof of Required Residence or Physical Presence in
the United States - Any document that proves the U.S
citizen parent(s)' residence or physical presence in the
United States. This proof may include but is not limited
to the following:

Birth Certificate or Record of the Child - A certified
birth certificate or record issued by a civil authority in the
country of birth.

A. School, employment, military records;

Birth Certificate or Record of the Citizen Parent - A
certified birth certificate or record issued by a civil
authority in the country of birth is required for
applications filed by a citizen parent of a citizen parent.

C. Attestations by churches, unions, or other
organizations;

3. Marriage Certificate(s) - Certified marriage certificate(s)
issued by a civil authority in the state or country of
marriage.
4. Documents Showing the Termination of a Marriage Examples include a divorce decree, death certificate, or
annulment document.
5.

7.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship - Examples of this are birth
certificates showing birth in the United States; an N-550,
Certificate of Naturalization; an N-560, Certificate of
Citizenship; an FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of United
States Citizen; or a valid unexpired U.S passport.

6. Proof of Legitimation - (Only required for applicants
who were born out of wedlock).
Documents must establish legitimation according to the
laws of the child's residence or domicile or father's
residence or domicile (if applicable).
Legitimation for INA benefits requires that the child is in
the legal custody of the legitimating parent(s) at the time
of legitimation.

B. Deeds, mortgages, leases showing residence;

D. U.S. Social Security quarterly reports;
E. Affidavits of third parties having knowledge of the
residence and physical presence.
11. Proof of U.S. Citizen Grandparent(s)' Required
Physical Presence in the United States - (Only required
for applicants seeking citizenship under section 322 of the
Act whose U.S. citizen parent(s) does not meet the
physical presence requirement of five years in the United
States, two years of which were after the age of 14).
Documentation establishing that the U.S. citizen
grandparent(s) met the required physical presence
requirements.
12. Current Status of U.S. Citizen Grandparent.
An application filed by a citizen parent that relies on the
physical presence in the United States of a citizen
grandparent cannot be approved unless the citizen
grandparent is a U.S. citizen, if living, or if deceased, was
a U.S. citizen at the time of his or her death.
An application filed by any grandparent or legal guardian
in lieu of a deceased citizen parent that relies on the
physical presence of a citizen grandparent cannot be
approved unless evidence is submitted that the citizen
grandparent was a U.S. citizen and still alive at the time
of the death of the citizen parent.
Form N-600K Instructions (Rev. 09/06/07)Y Page 3

13. Copy of Notice of Approval of a Form I-600, Petition
to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, and
Supporting Documentation for Such Form (Except
Home Study) - (All adopted orphans applying under
section 322 of the INA must either have this form or have
complied with the two years legal custody and two years
of joint residence requirement of INA 101(b)(1)(E)).
14. Copy of Full, Final Adoption Decree - (Only required
for adopted applicants).
15. Evidence of All Legal Name Changes.

Step-By-Step Instructions.
This form is divided into ten parts. The information below will
help you fill out the form.

Part 1. Information About Your Child.
NOTE: If you are a U.S. citizen parent, grandparent or legal
guardian applying for a certificate of citizenship on behalf of
your minor biological, or adopted child, give information for
your minor child.
1.

Current Legal Name - The child's current legal name is
the name on the birth certificate unless it has been
changed after birth by a legal action such as a marriage,
adoption, or court order.

2.

Name Exactly as It Appears on Your Permanent
Resident Card (if applicable and if different from above).
Write the child's name exactly as it appears on the card,
even if it is misspelled.

3.

1. Baptismal Certificate: A certificate under the seal of the
church where the baptism occurred, showing the date and
place of the child's birth, date of baptism, the names of
the godparents, if known.

Other Names Used Since Birth - If the child has ever
used any other names since birth, write them in this
section. If you need more space, use a separate sheet of
paper.

4.

U.S. Social Security Number - Print the child's U.S.
Social Security number. If the child does not have a Social
Security number, write "N/A" in the space provided.

2. Church Records: A certificate under the church seal
issued within two months of birth.

5.

Date of Birth - Use eight numbers to show the child's
date of birth (example: May 1, 1992, should be written
05/01/1992).

6.

Country of Birth - Give the name of the country where
the child was born. Write the name of the country even if
it no longer exists. If the name of the country has
changed, write the name of the country as it was at the
time of your birth.

7.

Country of Citizenship/Nationality - Write the name of
the country of the child's citizenship/nationality.

What If a Document Is Not Available?
If it is not possible to obtain any one of the above-required
documents, you must establish why the evidence is not
available. You may be required to submit an original written
statement from the relevant government or other authority
explaining the reason for the unavailability of the document(s).
You may submit the following secondary evidence for
consideration. However, secondary documents that do not
overcome the availability of primary documents may result in
denial of the application:

3.

School Record: A letter from authorities of the school
attended (preferably the first school), showing the date of
admission to the school, the child's date of birth or age at
that time, place of birth, and the names and places of
birth of parents, if shown in the school records.

4. Census Records: State or Federal census records showing
the name(s) and place(s) of birth, and the date(s) of birth
or age(s) of the person(s) listed.
5.

Affidavits: Written statements sworn to (or affirmed) by
two persons who have personal knowledge of the claimed
event (i.e., the date and place of a birth, marriage, or
death). The persons may be relatives and need not be
citizens of the United States. Each affidavit should
contain the following information regarding the person
making the affidavit: his/her full name and address; date
and place of birth; relationship to the applicant, if any;
full information concerning the event; and complete
details concerning how he/she acquired knowledge of the
event.

A. If the country no longer exists and/or the child is
stateless, write the name of the country where the
child was last a citizen or national.
B. If the child is a citizen or national of more than one
country, write the name of the foreign country that
issued the last passport.
8.

Gender - Indicate whether male or female.

9.

Height - Give the child's height in feet and inches.

Form N-600K Instructions (Rev. 09/06/07)Y Page 4

Part 2. Information About the Child's Eligibility.

7.

Information on Adoption - If the child was adopted,
provide information as to the place and date of adoption.

Check the box that indicates why the child is eligible to
apply for a Certificate of Citizenship.

8.

Marital Status of Parents at Time of Birth (or
Adoption) - Indicate whether the child's parents were
married to each other at the time of the child's birth. If
the child was born out-of- wedlock, indicate "No," even if
the parents subsequently married. If the child was
adopted, indicate whether the adoptive parents were
married to each other at the time of the adoption.

If you are a U.S. citizen parent applying for a Certificate of
Citizenship on behalf of a minor biological child, check the
box in Section A. If you are a U.S. citizen parent applying for
a Certificate of Citizenship on behalf of a minor adopted
child, check the box in Section B. If you are the U.S. citizen
parent of a deceased U.S. citizen parent applying for your
grandchild, check the box in Section C. If you are the U.S.
citizen legal guardian of an eligible child, check the box in
Section C.

Part 3. Additional Information About the Child.
The information in this section should be about the child who
will be issued the Certificate of Citizenship.
NOTE: If you are a U.S. citizen parent, grandparent, or legal
guardian applying for a Certificate of Citizenship on behalf
of a minor biological or adopted child, give information for
your minor child.
1.

Part 4. Information on Child's U.S. Citizen Father
or Mother (or Adoptive Father or Mother).
NOTE: If you are a U.S. citizen father or mother (or
adoptive father or mother) applying for citizenship and a
certificate of citizenship on behalf of your minor child, where
information is requested about in this section, provide
information about YOURSELF in the sections noted. If you
are a U.S. citizen grandparent or legal guardian, provide
information about the child's U.S. citizen PARENT in the
sections noted.
1.

Current Legal Name - Give current legal name, or name
at time of death, of the U.S. citizen father or mother. It is
the name on the birth certificate unless it was changed
after birth by a legal action such as a marriage, adoption,
or court order.

2.

Date of Birth - Use eight numbers to show the U.S.
citizen father or mother's date of birth (example: May 1,
1969, should be written 05/01/1969).

3.

Country of Birth - Give the name of the country where
the U.S. citizen father or mother was born. Write the
name of the country even if it no longer exists. If the
name of the country has changed, write the name of the
country as it was at the time of your U.S. citizen father or
mother's birth.

4.

Home Address - Give the address where the U.S. citizen
father or mother now lives. Do not put post office (P.O.)
box numbers here.

5.

U.S. Citizenship - Indicate how the U.S. citizen father or
mother became a U.S. citizen. Provide all the requested
information.

6.

Loss of U.S. Citizenship - Indicate whether the U.S.
citizen father or mother ever lost U.S. citizenship. Provide
this information even if the U.S. citizen father or mother
regained citizenship at a later date.

7.

Residence and/or Physical Presence - Provide all the
dates when the U.S. citizen father or mother was in
United States. Dates should include all time immediately
after birth as well as after the age of 14 years and older.

Home Address - Give the address where the child now
lives. Do not put post office (P.O.) box numbers here.

2. Mailing Address - If the mailing address is the same as
the home address, write "same." If the mailing address is
different from the home address, write it in this part.
Provide "Care Of" information if applicable.
3. Telephone Numbers - Telephone numbers and e-mail
addresses allow USCIS to contact you more quickly
about the application. If you are hearing impaired and
use a TTY telephone connection, please indicate this by
writing "(TTY)" after the telephone number.
4.

Current Marital Status - Check the marital status of the
child on the date you are filing this application.

5.

Information About the Child's Entry Into the U.S.
and Current Immigration Status Do not complete this section. The USCIS Adjudicator
will complete this during the interview.

6.

Previous Application for Certificate of Citizenship or
U.S. Passport - If you know of any prior application for
a Certificate of Citizenship or a U.S. passport (or you are
a U.S. citizen parent who previously applied for a
Certificate of Citizenship or U.S. passport for your minor
child), indicate on a separate piece of paper what
happened with the application and whether a Certificate
of Citizenship or U.S. passport was or was not issued.

Form N-600K Instructions (Rev. 09/06/07)Y Page 5

8.

Marital History.
A. Write the number of times the U.S. citizen father or
mother was married. Include any annulled marriages.
If there was more than one marriage to the same
spouse, count each time as a separate marriage.
B. If now married, provide information about the U.S.
citizen father or mother's current spouse. Check
appropriate box to indicate immigration status.
C. Indicate whether the U.S. citizen father or mother's
current spouse is also your parent. If "No," you will
be asked to provide information about your father or
mother's previous spouse or spouses.

Part 5. Information About the U.S. Citizen
Grandfather or Grandmother.
Complete This Section Only If:
1. You are a U.S. citizen parent, grandparent or legal
guardian applying for citizenship on behalf of a United
States citizen's adopted or biological child who regularly
resides outside the United States;
2.

The U.S. citizen parent, has not been physically present
in the U.S. for five years, two years of which were after
the age of 14 years; and

3.

If the eligible application is relying on the physical
presence in the United States of the U.S citizen father or
mother of the United States citizen parent (the child's
grandfather or grandmother) to get citizenship for the
adopted or biological child.

4. The applicant should provide information about the U.S.
citizen parent (the grandparent of the child) of the U.S.
citizen father or mother in the sections noted.
A. Current Legal Name - Give current legal name of
the U.S. citizen grandfather or grandmother. It is the
name on his or her birth certificate unless it was
changed after birth by a legal action such as a
marriage, adoption, or court order.

D. Home Address - Give the address where the U.S.
citizen grandfather or grandmother now lives. Do not
put post office (P.O.) box numbers here.
E. U.S. Citizenship - Indicate how the U.S. citizen
grandfather or grandmother became a U.S. citizen.
Provide all the requested information.
F. Loss of U.S. Citizenship - Indicate whether the U.S.
citizen grandfather or grandmother ever lost U.S.
citizenship. Provide this information even if the U.S.
citizen grandfather or grandmother regained
citizenship at a later date.
G. Residence and/or Physical Presence - Provide all
the dates when the U.S. citizen grandfather or
grandmother was in United States. Dates should
include all time immediately after birth as well as
after the age of 14 years and older.

Part 6. Legal Guardian.
Complete this part only for applications filed by a legal
guardian in lieu of a deceased U.S. citizen parent.

Part 7. Your Signature.
Except in cases in which a U.S. citizen parent of the child has
died, only a U.S. citizen parent may file this application on
their child's behalf. In cases in which a U.S. citizen parent has
died, a U.S. citizen grandparent or U.S. citizen legal guardian
can file the application. The applicant must sign and date the
application. If the applicant does not sign the application, the
application will be returned.

Part 8. Signature of Person Preparing Form,
If Other Than Applicant.
If you do not fill out the Form N-600K yourself, the preparer
must also sign, date, and give his or her address. If the
preparer is a business or organization, its' name must be
included on the form.

Part 9. Affidavit.

B. Date of Birth - Use eight numbers to show the U.S.
citizen grandfather or grandmother's date of birth
(example: May 1, 1949, should be written
05/01/1949).

Do not complete this part. You will be asked to complete
this part at the interview.

C. Country of Birth - Give the name of the country
where the U.S. citizen grandfather or grandmother
was born. Write the name of the country even if it no
longer exists. If the name of the country has changed,
write the name of the country as it was at the time of
the U.S. citizen grandfather or grandmother's birth.

Do not complete this part. This part is for USCIS use only.

Part 10. Officer Report and Recommendation.

Form N-600K Instructions (Rev. 09/06/07)Y Page 6

Penalties.
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material
fact or submit a false document with this Form N-600K, we
will deny the Form N-600K and may deny any other
immigration benefit.
In addition, you will face severe penalties provided by law and
may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Privacy Act Notice.
USCIS will use the information and evidence requested on
Form N-600K to determine your eligibility for the requested
immigration benefit. We may provide information from your
application to other government agencies. Our legal right to
ask for this information can be found in the Immigration and
Nationality Act, as amended. We may provide this information
to other government agencies. Failure to provide this
information, and any requested evidence, may delay a final
decision or result in denial of your Form N-600K.

Paperwork Reduction Act.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information
collection and a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid
OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated at 1 hour and 35 minutes
per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and submitting the form. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing
this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Regulatory Management Division, 111 Massachusetts
Avenue, N.W., 3rd Floor, Suite 3008, Washington, DC 20529.
OMB No. 1615-0087. Do not mail your application to this
address.

USCIS Forms and Information.
To order USCIS forms, call our toll-free number at
1-800-870-3676. You can also get USCIS forms and
information on immigration laws, regulations, and procedures
by telephoning our National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 or visiting our internet website at www.uscis.
gov.
As an altenative to waiting in line for assistance at your local
USCIS office, you can now schedule an appointment through
our internet-based system, InfoPass. To access the system,
visit our website. Use the InfoPass appointment scheduler and
follow the screen prompts to set up your appointment.
InfoPass generates an electronic appointment notice that
appears on the screen.

Form N-600K Instructions (Rev. 09/06/07)Y Page 7