Certificate of Citizenship (N-600K)

If you’re a U.S. citizen living abroad, you may need to file Form N-600K to pass citizenship to your child.

The U.S. government requires that a U.S. citizen parent must have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years, 2 of which must be after the age of 14, in order to transmit citizenship to their child born abroad.

Proving Citizenship: CRBA, Passport, and N-600To claim U.S. citizenship for your child, you’ll need to prove your own physical presence in the United States through official documentation. This requirement applies when you’re applying for any of the following:

Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship) – for children born abroad who derive citizenship through their parents

CRBA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad) – to document your child’s U.S. citizenship at birth

U.S. Passport – to obtain proof of U.S. citizenship for your child

What If You Don’t Qualify?

If the U.S. citizen parent doesn’t meet the required years of physical presence, there’s still hope. Two main options may still allow your child to obtain U.S. citizenship:

• Apply for a green card and have the child live with you in the U.S.
• File Form N-600K – a pathway to citizenship through a U.S. citizen grandparent

Form N-600K: Using a U.S. Grandparent’s Presence

Form N-600K is a powerful but lesser-known option for families living abroad. It allows a U.S. citizen child to acquire citizenship using the grandparent’s physical presence instead of the parent’s.

Key Requirements:

• At least one U.S. citizen parent
• A U.S. citizen grandparent who has lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years
• Proof of grandparent’s physical presence
• Child must travel to the U.S. for an interview & citizenship ceremony

How to Prove the Grandparent’s Physical Presence

You’ll need solid documentation to prove your physical presence in the U.S. These can include a variety of records, such as:

• School records – Enrollment or transcripts from middle school, high school, or college
• Employment or Social Security records – Pay stubs, job history, or SSA statements
• Medical records – Doctor visits, hospital stays, or vaccination records
• Property documents – Ownership of homes or vehicles, insurance policies
• Government records – Tax returns, voting history, or official correspondence

The goal: 5 years of documented U.S. presence.

What Happens After You Apply?

To apply for citizenship through a U.S. grandparent using Form N-600K, follow these steps:

• Submit Form N-600K along with all required documents showing your child’s relationship to the U.S. citizen parent and proof of the grandparent’s physical presence in the U.S.
• Wait for USCIS to review the application and issue a decision.
• If approved, your child must travel to the U.S. usually on a tourist visa to complete the process.
• Attend a USCIS interview, which is typically brief and straightforward.
• After approval, your child will be sworn in and receive a Certificate of Citizenship during the ceremony.

Afterward, you can apply for a U.S. passport ideally before leaving the U.S., but it can also be done at the embassy later.

What About Green Card + N-600?

An alternative is to move to the U.S. with your child, get them a green card, and reside together. After this, you can file Form N-600. But be warned:

If the child doesn’t actually reside in the U.S. and only visits briefly, this could backfire years later — including passport revocation.

Bottom Line: Yes, You Can Stay Abroad

Form N-600K is the solution for many families who can’t or don’t want to move to the U.S. You can:

• Stay in your home country
• Use a U.S. grandparent’s presence
• Secure citizenship and passport for your child

Need Help?

📩 We help families around the world file Form N-600K and secure U.S. citizenship for their children.