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Certificate of Citizenship

what is a
Certificate of Citizenship

A Certificate of Citizenship is an official document issued by the U.S. government to confirm that a person is a U.S. citizen. It is specifically for individuals who acquired or derived U.S. citizenship through their parents, rather than going through the naturalization process themselves. It’s a document that proves citizenship status without the need to naturalize.

Unlike naturalization, this certificate is for those who automatically became U.S. citizens, typically as children, but require official documentation to prove it.

Eligibility for
Certificate of Citizenship USA

You may be eligible for a Certificate of Citizenship if:

  • One or both of your parents are U.S. citizens
  • You were under 18 years old and a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) when your parent became a U.S. citizen (or already was one)
  • You were residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of your citizen parent

Ready to Take the Next Step? Apply for Your Certificate of Citizenship Today!

Start your journey toward permanent residency. Apply for your Certificate of Citizenship today and open the door to new opportunities, stability, and a brighter future in the U.S.

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Documents

Needed

To apply for your citizenship certificate, you’ll need to provide:

Your parent’s naturalization
certificate or U.S. birth
certificate

Your green card (permanent
resident card) and your
own birth certificate

Proof of legal and physical custody (such as school or medical records) Parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable) Proof of legal and physical custody (such as school or medical records) Parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable)

Certificate of
Citizenship vs Naturalization

The key difference between a Certificate of Citizenship vs Naturalization is how citizenship was obtained:

  • Certificate of Citizenship: For those who automatically acquired U.S. citizenship through their parents, often at birth or before the age of 18
  • Naturalization: A legal process where an immigrant applies and qualifies for U.S. citizenship through tests and an interview
Processing
Time

The current processing time for Form N-600, which is used to apply for the certificate, is typically 6–10 months.

Why It’s Important

Certificate of Citizenship

Proving citizenship without a certificate can be challenging. A Certificate of Citizenship is often needed to:

  • Apply for a U.S. passport
  • Enroll in school
  • Claim Social Security benefits
  • Show legal proof of status for government or legal matters

Unlike the naturalization process, there is no interview or civics test—only a document review.

Citizenship

Certificate Replacement

If your certificate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can apply for a citizenship certificate replacement by submitting Form N-565 to USCIS. Always keep a copy in a secure location, as replacing it can take several months.

Frequently

Asked Questions

You can request a copy by filing Form N-565 with USCIS if your original certificate has been lost, damaged, or stolen.

A U.S. birth certificate is proof of citizenship if you were born in the United States. If you were born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, you may need a Certificate of Citizenship or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

Yes. This certificate is for people who automatically became citizens through parents, not through the naturalization process.

A Certificate of Citizenship is official proof of your status. However, you can also use it to apply for a U.S. passport for travel purposes.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Apply for Your Certificate of Citizenship Today!

Start your journey toward permanent residency. Apply for your Certificate of Citizenship today and open the door to new opportunities, stability, and a brighter future in the U.S.
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