Q: What requirements can I provide to apply for N-600 without my parent's certificate?
Hi, I am 25 years old. I am a daughter of a US citizen mother through naturalization. I was born outside the United States. My mother brought me here when I was 15 years old and got my green card. Now that I am 25 years old, married to a military member, and have a 2-year-old son, I live far away from my mother. I am about to apply for N-600 since the USCIS officer told me that I am already a US citizen through my parents, but my mother doesn't want to provide her certificate of naturalization and it has been 6 years since I asked her about it. What am I going to do so I can apply for my N-600?
A:
You will likely need the information from her certificate. Can she photocopy it for you? If not, then you can have trouble proving that you are a derivative citizen. Once she is gone, if the certificate is lost, you have little to no proof that you derived citizenship. Also, you may remain indefinitely disqualified from naturalization. Nevertheless, there may be other issues that can complicate the process, as well, so it remains unclear whether you derived citizenship.
As a result, I strongly recommend a intense review of the evidence and facts with a competent and experienced immigration attorney.
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A:
You can still apply for the N-600 by gathering alternative evidence of your mother's U.S. citizenship. Start by collecting any available documents she might have shared with you, such as her U.S. passport, birth certificate, or any other official records that prove her naturalization. If she has ever filed U.S. taxes or held a professional license, these can also serve as supporting evidence.
Additionally, you can request a copy of her naturalization certificate directly from USCIS. You'll need to complete Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, and provide proof of your relationship. This process can help you obtain the necessary documentation without your mother's direct involvement.
If these options are challenging, consider consulting with an immigration attorney who can guide you through alternative methods to establish your citizenship. They can help identify other forms of evidence and ensure your application is as strong as possible. Taking these steps will move you closer to securing your Certificate of Citizenship.
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