<p>Hello everyone, I just have a little confusion. Under the "citizenship" category on various applications idk what to put. I am a current green-card holder, but my mom just naturalized and I am unsure if i can put citizen. I know she has to file a n-600 form but should I just put US Citizen or still Permanent Resident??</p>
<p>Are you a U.S. citizen? If so, put that down. If not, then you’re a green card holder but not a citizen and you should put that down. Doesn’t matter what your mother is.</p>
<p>Check w the source:
[USCIS</a> Home Page](<a href=“http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis]USCIS”>Home | USCIS)</p>
<p>If you’re
- LPR when your mom was naturalized,
- under age 18 when your mom was naturalized,
you could become US citizen through the process of derivation.
See
[Appendix</a> 71-3 Nationality Chart #3.](<a href=“Superseded Content | USCIS”>Superseded Content | USCIS)</p>
<p>Please consult a lawyer and / or USCIS</p>
<p>Sonic- I see your problem. My d and I just became naturalized US citizens. Are you still under 18? If so, the process should be really quick for you to become a citizen. If you are over 18 you need to file on your own.</p>
<p>My advice is to click the permanent resident box at the moment. If your immigration status changes before you submit the applications/ start collge you can update. If I recall, my D had to provide a copy of her green card to some of the colleges. When you become a US citizen you will surrender your Green card.</p>
<p>Congrats to your mom, that is very exciting!</p>
<p>If you claim citizenship while holding a green card, you’re opening a can of worms so vast that you could not even begin to comprehend how vast it is. In simple terms, when you apply for Naturalization you are asked explicitly “did you ever claim to be a US Citizen” and so on. Meaning, your Mom could have come on the Mayflower but as long as you have a Green Card you’re not a citizen yet.</p>
<p>Now, regarding Mom’s naturalization, if you’re under 18 you’re eligible for derivative citizenship. Over 18, oops.</p>
<p>Check links like [derivative</a> citizenship n600](<a href=“http://www.agarwaloffices.com/c.aspx?n=derivative-citizenship-n600]derivative”>http://www.agarwaloffices.com/c.aspx?n=derivative-citizenship-n600) for details.</p>
<p>I was naturalized a few years ago after going for 2 decades or more with a Green Card :)</p>
<p>Yes I am under 18 until next August. So I’m guessing just put PR and submit app? Can I contact admission offices later if become citizen?</p>
<p>Yes, you can let them know after your status has changed.</p>
<p>And run to your nearest immigration service center to go for the derived citizenship ball rolling by filing an N-600 form. it should not take more than 2-3 months. </p>
<p>In theory you can apply for a US Passport right now and that’s all you ‘need’ based on derived citizenship, and use the passport as the proof of citizenship. But down the road the consensus is that the N-600 is needed, so might as well do it now. </p>
<p>While we’re at it, make sure that you meet all the derived citizenship requirements regarding custody and residence of Mom (she has to reside in the US for 5 years). Also make sure your own Green Card is not close to expiring…</p>
<p>
Derivative Citizenship is not a theory, it is in the law:
The Child Citizenship Act (CCA) is the current law that includes guidelines for children that were born outside the US, but who automatically become US citizens if certain conditions are met.</p>
<p>Under the CCA, a child <strong><em>automatically</em></strong> acquires U.S. citizenship on the date that all of the following requirements are met:
- At least one parent is a US citizen, whether by birth or naturalization
- The child is under age 18
- The child is currently residing permanently in the US in the legal and physical custody of a US citizen parent
- The child is a lawful permanent resident</p>
<p>Via N-600, you could get a Certificate of Citizenship which serves as evidence of your U.S. citizenship.</p>
<p>However, you are not required to file for a Certificate of Citizenship. The Certificate of Citizenship is an optional form. A validly issued U.S. passport generally serves as evidence of your U.S. citizenship during its period of validity …</p>
<p>See
[USCIS</a> - N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship<br>Frequently Asked Questions](<a href=“http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b958d67e1d557310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD]USCIS”>http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b958d67e1d557310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD)</p>
<p>Also, fee for N-600 is $600 and fee for passport is $165</p>
<p>The theory part is due to the fact that we have no detailed information from OP 
</p>
<p>Also, immigration law is quite vague at times…</p>
<p>@ turbo93: here are my details (not to detailed)</p>
<p>-age:17 (august bday)
-GCard exp. date: 2015
-both parents lived in US for ~12 years, PR for 7 or 8. Mom became citizen days ago, dad gonna take test later september
-HS class of 2013</p>
<p>
OP should be a US citizen when his/her mom naturalized.
OP should apply either Cert. of Citizenship ($600) and/or US passport ($165)</p>
<p>Please consult a lawyer and / or USCIS</p>
<p>I think you’ll be OK. Still, find a good Immigration Attorney and run all this by him/her. Should only be $100-150, maybe double that if you fill the N-600 form and have him/her review that before submitting. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, as if 12th grade Civics class was easy enough, here are the appropriate statues:</p>
<p>[71.1</a> Acquisition and Derivation.](<a href=“Superseded Content | USCIS”>Superseded Content | USCIS)</p>
<p>and </p>
<p>[8</a> CFR PART 320 – CHILD BORN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND RESIDING PERMANENTLY IN THE UNITED STATES; REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTOMATIC ACQUISITION OF CITIZENSHIP (Part 320 added 6/13/01; 66 FR 32138)](<a href=“eCFR :: Title 8 of the CFR -- Aliens and Nationality”>eCFR :: Title 8 of the CFR -- Aliens and Nationality)</p>
<p>Bottom line, you’ll be a US Citizen by the time you graduate from HS but for now keep that Green Card handy :-). </p>
<p>Filling and filing N-600 is not much harder than the N-400’s your parents did, so I assume they know the ropes. USCIS has been running super-fast those days so I’m guessing 3 months, maybe 4 if you’re in a ‘popular’ location. If you need to read up on immigration on forums there’s a couple of awesome ones, search around.</p>
<p>I think you and your US Citizen parent will need to go thru an interview process, but not fingerprinting plus you get to go thru the Oath Ceremony just like your Mom. You get to skip the test tho.</p>
<p>Edit: As 4kidsdad suggested, you also have the option of skipping all of the above and going straight thru with a passport. The lawyer consult should give you details of which approach is better, so start with that.</p>
<p>My daughter and I were in exact same situation as the OP. I got my citizenship, she was a green card holder under 18, her dad was not a citizen yet. All we had to do was to gather documents required for the US passport (including my certificate of naturalization and her GC) and file it TOGETHER. Got our passports I think 45 days later. This was back in 2010.</p>
<p>Since the office will take your GC when you apply to passport, it is a good idea to make a few copies I think. But technically I believe you became a citizen the moment your mom took the oath.</p>
<p>
Did you send in the originals of your cert, your D’s GC? Or just photocopy?</p>
<p>Originals for the Citizenship certificate, and you don’t even get it back with your passport but separately. Definitely anxious moments there…</p>
<p>Also original for her GC. Some anxious moments about that too…</p>
<p>sonicacre- your mom will need to apply for a US passport ASAP- she no longer has her green card. Go with her and apply for your US passport at the same time and then you are done.( remember you need both parents to be present) </p>
<p>I was given documentation that allowed me an instant appointment with the US passport office in my home town. ( I actually went to the court house instead the next day). Check the documents that your mom received when she was sworn in. All the info is there. Once you receive your passport, you can update the info with the Dept Driver Services and then you will be able to vote when you turn 18.</p>
<p>You do not need to seek the services of an immigration lawyer.</p>