Instructions for Application for
Certicate of Citizenship
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
USCIS
Form N-600
OMB No. 1615-0057
Expires 02/28/2027
Form N-600 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 1 of 12
What Is the Purpose of Form N-600?
Form N-600, Application for Certicate of Citizenship, is an application for a Certicate of Citizenship.
Who Should File Form N-600?
You should le this application if:
1. You are requesting a Certicate of Citizenship because you were born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen
parent; or
2. You are requesting a Certicate of Citizenship because you automatically became a citizen of the United States after
birth, but before you turned 18 years of age. (A parent or legal guardian can also le Form N-600 on behalf of a
minor child.)
Citizenship law has changed over the years and dierent laws apply to determine whether you automatically became
a U.S. citizen at birth, or after birth but before you turned 18 years of age. If you are claiming U.S. citizenship based
on your birth abroad to U.S. citizen parents, the law in eect on the date of your birth applies. For purposes of these
provisions, you must be the biological child of your U.S. citizen parent, and dierent provisions apply depending on
whether you were born in wedlock or out-of-wedlock.
If you are claiming U.S. citizenship after birth, but before you reached 18 years of age, the law in eect when the last
qualifying condition was met is the law that applies to you. Generally, the conditions are listed below
.
These conditions must be met before you turn 18 years of age:
1. Your parent must be a U.S. citizen;
2. You must be the biological child of that U.S. citizen parent;
3. You must be lawfully admitted to the United States for lawful permanent residence; and
4. You must be living in the United States in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent.
You can le Form N-600 at any time if you became a U.S. citizen at birth or after birth, but before you turned 18 years
of age. Filing this application is NOT a request to become a U.S. citizen. Filing this application is ONLY a request to
obtain a Certicate of Citizenship which recognizes that you became a citizen on a particular date.
Adopted Child
An adopted child may also acquire U.S. citizenship through his or her adoptive U.S. citizen parent depending on the law
being applied. Currently, an adopted child can acquire U.S. citizenship through his or her U.S. citizen parent. However,
step children CANNOT acquire U.S. citizenship under this provision.
NOTE: If you are now 18 years of age, but all of the above conditions apply to you before your 18th birthday and you
were under 18 years of age on February 27, 2001 (the date the law took aect), you may le this application to obtain
a Certicate of Citizenship. However, if you were under 18 years of age on February 27, 2001, BUT not all of the
conditions noted above were met prior to your 18th birthday, you must qualify for U.S. citizenship in your own right.
Form N-600 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 2 of 12
You may le this application if:
1. You claim to have acquired U.S. citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent and are now over 18 years of age; or
2. You are the U.S. citizen parent or legal guardian who has legal and physical custody of an adopted or biological child
(under 18 years of age).
Law in Eect at the Time of Your Birth
To determine if you were born a U.S. citizen, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must look at the law
that was in eect at the time of your birth. The current law was enacted on November 14, 1986 and was last amended on
February 27, 2001 (Child Citizenship Act). If you were born before November 14, 1986, and believe you may be a U.S.
citizen, you should contact USCIS by visiting the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov or calling the USCIS Contact Center
at 1-800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.
Who Should Not File Form N-600?
You should not le this application if:
1. You do not have at least one biological or adoptive U.S. citizen parent;
2. You are the child of U.S. citizen parents who regularly resides outside the United States. Refer to Form N-600K,
Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certicate Under Section 322;
3. You were born out-of-wedlock, you were not legitimated prior to your 16th birthday, and your U.S. citizen parent is
your father;
NOTE: This does not aect you if you were born abroad to an eligible U.S. citizen mother. You may also be eligible
for citizenship through the naturalization of your mother.
4. You are seeking to replace a lost or stolen certicate. Refer to Form N-565, Application for Replacement
Naturalization/Citizenship Document, for information to replace a lost or stolen certicate; or
5. You already led Form N-600 and received a decision from USCIS on that previously led Form N-600. USCIS
will reject (not accept) any subsequently led Form N-600. Review your Form N-600 denial notice for more
information.
General Instructions
We provide free forms through the USCIS website. To view, print, or complete our forms, you should use the latest
version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not have internet
access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center and ask that we mail a form to you.
Signature. You (or your signing authority) must properly complete your application. USCIS will not accept a stamped
or typewritten name in place of any signature on this application. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal
guardian may sign the application on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If
your application is not signed, or if the signature is not valid, we will reject your application. See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)
(A). If USCIS accepts a request for adjudication and determines that it has a decient signature, USCIS may deny the
request.
Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original handwritten signature
as valid for ling purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten ink
signature.
Form N-600 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 3 of 12
Filing Fee. See Form G-1055, available at www.uscis.gov/forms, for specic information about the fees applicable to
this form.
Evidence. When you le your application, you must submit all evidence and supporting documentation listed in the
What Evidence Must You Submit sections of these Instructions.
Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS may require you to appear for an interview or provide biometrics (ngerprints,
photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background
and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition. If we determine that a biometric services appointment
is necessary, we will send you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your appointment. If you are
currently overseas, your notice will instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS oce outside the
United States to schedule an appointment.
At your biometrics appointment, you must sign an oath rearming that:
1. You provided or authorized all information in the application;
2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your application; and
3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of ling.
If you do not attend your biometric services appointment, we may deny your application.
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of requested documents unless the Instructions specically instruct you to
submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at any time during our process. If we request an
original document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs the original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when they are not required or requested, USCIS may destroy them after we
receive them.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English
translation. The translator must sign a certication that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and that
they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certication must also include their signature,
printed name, the signature date, and their contact information.
USCIS Contact Center. For additional information on the application and Instructions about where to le, change of
address, and other questions, visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter or call at 800-375-5283
(TTY 800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
Disability Accommodations/Modications. To request a disability accommodation/modication, follow the instructions
on your appointment notice or at www.uscis.gov/accommodationsinfo.
How To Complete Form N-600
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this application, use the space provided in Part 11. Additional
Information or attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number)
(if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer
refers; and sign and date each sheet.
Form N-600 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 4 of 12
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been
married and the question asks “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A” unless otherwise
directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many
children do you have” or “How many times have you departed the United States”), type or print “None” unless
otherwise directed.
4. Provide your A-Number (if any) on the top right corner of each page. Your A-Number is located on your Permanent
Resident Card (formerly known as the Alien Registration or “Green” Card). The A-Number on your card consists
of seven to nine numbers, depending on when your record was created. If the A-Number on your card has fewer
than nine numbers, place enough zeros before the rst number to make a total of nine numbers on Form N-600. For
example, type or print number A1234567 as A001234567 or type or print number A12345678 as A012345678.
Specic Instructions
This application is divided into Parts 1. - 13.
Part 1. Information About Your Eligibility
Item Number 1. Select only one box that indicates why you are eligible for a Certicate of Citizenship. Select “Other”
if the basis for your eligibility is not described in any of the previous categories and type or print the basis for your
application on the lines provided. USICS will reject your Form N-600 if you select more than one box.
Part 2. Information About You
You must provide complete information about yourself if you are the person seeking a Certicate of Citizenship. If you
are the U.S. citizen parent applying for a Certicate of Citizenship on behalf of your minor biological or adopted child,
submit information relating to your minor child.
Item Number 1. Current Legal Name. Provide your legal name. This should be the name on your birth certicate
unless it has been changed after birth by legal action such as marriage, adoption, or court order. Do not provide a
nickname.
Item Number 2. Your Name Exactly As It Appears On Your Permanent Resident Card (if dierent from above).
Type or print your name exactly as it appears on the card, even if it is misspelled. Type or print “N/A” if you do not have
a permanent resident card.
Item Number 3. Other Names You Have Used Since Birth. Type or print any other names you have ever used,
including aliases, maiden name, and nicknames. If you need extra space to complete this item number, use the space
provided in Part 11. Additional Information.
Item Number 4. U.S. Social Security Number. Type or print your U.S. Social Security Number. Type or print “N/A” if
you do not have one.
Item Number 5. USCIS Online Account Number (if any). You will only have a USCIS Online Account Number
(OAN) if you previously led a form that has a receipt number that begins with IOE. If you led the form online, you
can nd your OAN in your account prole. If you mailed us the form, you can nd your OAN at the top of the Account
Access Notice we sent you. If you do not have a receipt number that begins with IOE, you do not have an OAN. The
OAN is not the same as an A-Number.
Item Number 6. Date of Birth. Provide your date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format.
Item Number 7. Country of Birth. Provide the name of the country where you were born. Type or print the name of
the country where you were born even if the country’s name has since changed or the country no longer exists.
Form N-600 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 5 of 12
Item Number 8. Country of Prior Citizenship or Nationality. Provide the name of the country of your citizenship
or nationality before you became a U.S. citizen. If the country no longer exists or you are stateless, provide the name of
the foreign country where you were last a citizen or national. If you are a citizen or national of more than one country,
provide the name of the foreign country that issued your latest passport.
Item Number 9. Gender. Indicate how you identify. Your selection will be reected on secure documents if we approve
your application.
Item Number 10. Mailing Address. Provide the address where you would like to receive written correspondence
regarding your application. Provide your mailing address even if it is the same as your physical address. Provide “In
Care Of Name” information, if any. You must type or print something in every box, except an apartment, suite, or oor
number or “In Care Of Name” if you do not have one, within “Mailing Address.”
NOTE: USCIS may not be able to contact you if you do not provide a complete and valid address. If USCIS rejects your
application, USCIS may not be able to return the ling fee for Form N-600 to you if you do not provide a complete and
valid address. If USCIS cannot return the ling fee, USCIS will cash your check.
Item Number 11. Physical Address (Do not provide a PO Box in this space unless it is your ONLY address). Provide
the address where you now reside. Provide your physical address if it is dierent from your mailing address.
Item Number 12. Current Marital Status. Select the marital status you have on the date you le this application.
Select “Other” if your marriage was legally terminated and explain the circumstances.
Item Number 13. U.S. Armed Forces. Indicate if you are a member or veteran of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Item Number 14. Information About Your Admission Into the United States and Current Immigration Status.
Item A. Provide information about where you entered the United States and what name you used when you entered.
Item B. Provide information about what documents you presented to enter the United States. Provide your passport or
travel document number and date of issuance, if known.
Item C. Provide information about your current immigration status in the United States. Select the box to indicate if you
are a lawful permanent resident, a nonimmigrant, a refugee asylee, or other.
Item D. Provide information if you adjusted to lawful permanent resident status while in the United States including
the date, USCIS oce, and location where USCIS granted your status or location where you were admitted as a lawful
permanent resident.
Item Number 15. Previous Application for Certicate of Citizenship or U.S. Passport. If you previously applied for
a Certicate of Citizenship or a U.S. Passport (or you are a U.S. citizen parent who previously applied for a Certicate of
Citizenship or U.S. Passport for your minor child), explain in the space provided what happened with that application and
whether the Certicate of Citizenship or U.S. Passport was or was not issued. If you need extra space to complete this
item number, use the space provided in Part 11. Additional Information.
Item Number 16. Permanent Resident Status Abandonment. Indicate if you have ever abandoned or lost your lawful
permanent resident status.
Item Number 17. Information on Adoption. If you were adopted, select the appropriate box and if you answer “Yes,”
provide information as to the date and place of the adoption and the dates that legal and physical custody began in
Items A. - D.
Item Number 18. Re-Adoption in the United States. Indicate if you have been re-adopted in the United States. (See
the What Evidence Must You Submit section of these Instructions for more information.)
Form N-600 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 6 of 12
Item Number 19. Marital Status of Your Parents At Time of Birth (or Adoption). Indicate whether your parents
were married to each other at the time of your birth. If you were born out-of-wedlock, indicate “No” even if your parents
subsequently married. If you were adopted, indicate whether your adoptive parents were married to each other at the time
of your adoption.
NOTE: If you are a U.S. citizen parent applying on behalf of a minor biological or adopted child, indicate whether you
were married to his or her parent at the time of your minor child’s birth (or adoption). If your minor child was born out-
of-wedlock, indicate “No” even if you subsequently married your child’s biological parent.
Item Number 20. Marital Status of Your Parents After Birth. Indicate whether your parents married after your birth.
Item Number 21. Legal and Physical Custody. Indicate whether you are in the physical and legal custody of your U.S.
citizen parent.
Item Number 22. Absences from the United States. Provide the requested information for every trip abroad that you
have taken since you rst arrived in the United States. Begin with the most recent trip. This information is needed only
for persons born before October 10, 1952, who are claiming U.S. citizenship at the time of birth.
Part 3. Biographic Information
Provide the biographic information requested in Part 3., Item Numbers 1. - 6. Providing this information as part of
your application may reduce the time you spend at your USCIS ASC appointment as described in the Biometric Services
Appointment section of these Instructions.
Item Numbers 1. - 2. Ethnicity and Race. Select the boxes that best describe your ethnicity and race.
Categories and Denitions for Ethnicity and Race
1. Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture
or origin, regardless of race. (NOTE: This category is only included under Ethnicity in Part 3., Item Number 1.)
2. American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South
America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal aliation or community attachment.
3. Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian
subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine
Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.
4. Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacic Islander. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii,
Guam, Samoa, or other Pacic Islands.
6. White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
Item Number 3. Height. Select the values that best match your height in feet and inches. For example, if you are ve
feet and nine inches, select “5” for feet and “09” for inches. Do not enter your height in meters or centimeters.
Item Number 4. Weight. Enter your weight in pounds. If you do not know your weight or need to enter a weight under
30 pounds or over 699 pounds, enter “000.” Do not enter your weight in kilograms.
Item Number 5. Eye Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your eyes.
Item Number 6. Hair Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your hair.
Part 4. Information About Your U.S. Citizen Biological Father (or Adoptive Father)
Item Numbers 1. - 9. If you are claiming citizenship through a U.S. citizen biological father (or adoptive father), provide
the full legal name, date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship or nationality, information on U.S. citizenship,
marital history, and physical address of your U.S. citizen father in the spaces provided. Complete Part 5. if you are
claiming citizenship solely through a U.S. citizen biological mother (or adoptive mother).
Form N-600 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 7 of 12
Provide information about yourself if you are a U.S. citizen biological father (or adoptive father) applying for a
Certicate of Citizenship on behalf of your minor child where information is requested about the U.S. citizen father.
Part 5. Information About Your U.S. Citizen Biological Mother (or Adoptive Mother)
Item Numbers 1. - 9. If you are claiming citizenship through a U.S. citizen biological mother (or adoptive mother),
provide the full legal name, date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship or nationality, information on U.S.
citizenship, marital history, and physical address of your U.S. citizen mother in the spaces provided. Complete Part 4. if
you are claiming citizenship solely through a U.S. citizen biological father (or adoptive father).
Provide information about yourself if you are a U.S. citizen biological mother (or adoptive mother) applying for a
Certicate of Citizenship on behalf of your minor child where information is requested about the U.S. citizen mother.
Part 6. Physical Presence in the United States From Birth Until Filing of Form N-600
Item Numbers 1. - 2. Physical Presence. If you were born outside the United States and claim to have been born a U.S.
citizen, you are required to provide all the dates when your U.S. citizen biological father or U.S. citizen biological mother
resided in the United States. Include all dates from your birth until the date you le your Form N-600.
Children of Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Government Employees temporarily stationed abroad are
generally considered to be “residing in the United States” for purposes of acquisition of citizenship at birth.
Part 7. Information About Military Service of U.S. Citizen Parents (Applicable only for applications led under the
Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) section 301(g).)
Item Numbers 1. - 4. Provide the requested information if either U.S. citizen parent served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Also indicate whether he or she was honorably discharged from service.
Part 8. Applicant’s Statement, Contact Information, Certication, and Signature
Item Numbers 1. - 6. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you read this application yourself or whether you
had an interpreter assist you. If someone assisted you in completing the application, select the box indicating that you
used a preparer. Further, you must sign and date your application and provide your daytime telephone number, mobile
telephone number (if any), and email address (if any). Every application MUST contain the signature of the applicant (or
parent or legal guardian, if applicable). A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.
Part 9. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certication, and Signature
Item Numbers 1. - 7. If you used anyone as an interpreter to read the Instructions and questions on this application to
you in a language in which you are uent, the interpreter must ll out this section, provide his or her name, the name and
address of his or her business or organization (if any), his or her daytime telephone number, his or her mobile telephone
number (if any), and his or her email address (if any). The interpreter must sign and date the application.
Part 10. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Application, if Other Than
the Applicant
Item Numbers 1. - 8. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your application, if other
than you, the applicant. If the same individual acted as your interpreter and your preparer, that person should complete
both Part 9. and Part 10. If the person who completed this application is associated with a business or organization,
that person should complete the business or organization name and address information. Anyone who helped you
complete this application MUST sign and date the application. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is
not acceptable. If the person who helped you prepare your application is an attorney or accredited representative whose
representation extends beyond preparation of this application, he or she may be obliged to also submit a completed Form
G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, along with your application.
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Part 11. Additional Information
Item Numbers 1. - 6. If you need extra space to provide any additional information within this application, use the space
provided in Part 11. Additional Information. If you need more space than what is provided in Part 11., you may make
copies of Part 11. to complete and le with your application, or attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print your name
and A-Number (if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which
your answer refers, and sign and date each sheet.
We recommend that you review your copy of your completed application before you go to your biometric
services appointment at a USCIS ASC. At your appointment, USCIS will allow you to complete the application
process only if you are able to conrm, under penalty of perjury, that all of the information in your application is
complete, true, and correct. If you are not able to make that attestation in good faith at that time, we will require you to
return for another appointment.
Part 12. Adavit (At the time of Interview)
Do NOT complete this part unless instructed to do so AT THE INTERVIEW.
Part 13. Ocer’s Report and Recommendation On Application for Certicate of Citizenship
For USCIS use ONLY.
What Evidence Must You Submit?
You must submit all evidence requested in these Instructions with your application. If you fail to submit required
evidence, USCIS may reject or deny your application in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(1) and these Instructions.
Unless specically noted otherwise, you must submit each of the documents listed below for you and your U.S.
citizen parent through whom you are claiming U.S. citizenship at the time of ling to avoid delays in processing
your Form N-600. USCIS may require verication for any or all information provided with Form N-600.
Additionally, if you are scheduled for an interview with USCIS, you must bring in documentation if information has been
updated or has changed after ling.
NOTE: “You” and “your” in this section refers to the individual for whom a Certicate of Citizenship is sought. It
is NOT the applicant’s parent or legal guardian who may apply on the minor child’s behalf.
1. Photographs. You must submit two identical color passport-style photographs of yourself taken recently. The
photos must have a white to o-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy nish, and be unmounted
and unretouched.
The photos must be 2 by 2 inches with a full face, frontal view. Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from
the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the
top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by
your religious denomination. Use a pencil or felt pen to lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of
the photos.
2. Your Birth Certicate. You must submit a birth certicate or record issued and certied by a civil authority in the
country of birth.
3. Birth Certicate or Record of Your U.S. Citizen Parent. You must submit a birth certicate or record of your U.S.
citizen parent issued and certied by a civil authority in the country of birth.
If your U.S. citizen parent applies, your U.S. citizen parent must submit his or her birth certicate or record issued and
certied by a civil authority in the country of birth.
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4. Marriage Certicates of Your U.S. Citizen Parent. You must submit a marriage certicate issued and certied by a
civil authority in the state or country of marriage.
5. Documents Showing the Marriage Termination (if applicable). You must submit a certied divorce decree, death
certicate, or annulment document.
6. Proof of U.S. Citizenship. Examples of this are birth certicates showing birth in the United States; a Form N-550,
Certicate of Naturalization; a Form N-560, Certicate of Citizenship; a Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of
United States Citizen; or a valid unexpired U.S. passport.
7. Proof of Status as U.S. National (only required if you are claiming U.S. citizenship through a U.S. national, such as
a person born in American Samoa or Swains Island).
If you were born outside the United States or its outlying possessions, you are born a U.S. citizen if your parents met
the following conditions:
A. Your U.S. citizen parent was physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a
continuous period of one year prior to your birth; and
B. Your other parent was a national, but not a U.S. citizen.
NOTE: If you have a U.S. citizen parent and a noncitizen parent who is an alien but not a national, your U.S.
citizen parent must have met the physical presence requirements prior to your birth.
8. Proof of Legitimation (only required if you who were born out-of-wedlock and your father is your U.S. Citizen
parent).
For information regarding legitimation see the USCIS Policy Manual at
www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume12-PartH.html.
Provide legitimation documentation from the country or state in which you legitimated. Legitimation can also be
established according to the laws of your father’s residence or your residence.
9. Proof of Legal and Physical Custody (only required for applicants whose U.S. citizen parents divorced and/or
separated and for applicants who are adopted or legitimated).
10. Copy of Permanent Resident Card or Other Evidence of Permanent Resident Status (only required if you are
claiming U.S. citizenship after birth through a U.S. citizen parent).
11. 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:
A. School, employment, or military records;
B. Deeds, mortgages, or leases showing residence;
C. Attestations by churches, unions, or other organizations;
D. U.S. Social Security quarterly reports; and
E. Adavits of third parties having knowledge of the residence and physical presence.
12. Copy of Full, Final Adoption Decree (only required for adopted applicants).
13. Re-adoption in the United States. If you had to be re-adopted in the United States, submit evidence of a full and
nal foreign adoption if the appropriate authority in the applicant’s current location of residence recognizes its
validity.
14. Evidence of All Legal Name Changes. If you legally changed your name, submit evidence of an issued and certied
document by the court that authorized the legal name changes.
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What If a Document Is Unavalaible?
You must provide a typed or printed explanation of the reasons a required document is unavailable and submit secondary
evidence to establish eligibility. Secondary evidence must overcome the unavailability of the required documents. USCIS
may request an original typed or printed statement from the appropriate government or other legal authority to support
your claim that the documents are unavailable.
The following types of secondary evidence may be submitted to establish eligibility.
1. Baptismal Certicate. Certicate under the church seal where your baptism occurred showing your:
A. Place of birth;
B. Date of birth;
C. Baptism date;
D. Parents’ names; and
E. Godparents’ names, if known.
2. School Record. An ocial letter from school authorities for the school attended (preferably the rst school) showing
your:
A. Date of admission to the school;
B. Place of birth;
C. Date of birth or age at that time; and
D. The names and residences of your birth parents, if shown in the school records.
3. Census Records. State or Federal census records showing your:
A. Name;
B. Place of birth; and
C. Date of birth or age.
4. Adavits (if other types of secondary evidence are not available).
Typed or printed statements sworn to (or armed) by two people who have personal knowledge of the claimed event.
Adavits must overcome the unavailability of both required documents and secondary evidence. Examples of events
you may submit an adavit for include the following:
A. Your place and date of birth;
B. Marriage; or
C. Death.
The people making these statements are not required to be U.S. citizens and may be relatives. Each adavit must
contain the following information about the person making the adavit:
A. Full legal name;
B. Address;
C. Place of birth;
D. Date of birth;
E. Relationship to you; and
F. Detailed information about the event to include how they came to know about its occurrence.
Form N-600 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 11 of 12
Where To File?
Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/n-600 for the most current information about where to le this application.
Address Change
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must notify USCIS of your new address within 10 days of moving from your previous
residence. For information on changing your address, go to our website at www.uscis.gov/addresschange, or call the
USCIS Contact Center.
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to the USCIS Lockbox.
Processing Information
Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your application, we will check it for completeness. If you do not properly
complete this application, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and we may reject or deny your application.
Requests for More Information. USCIS may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your
application. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If we request an original
document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it is no longer needed.
Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS oce for an interview based on your application.
During your interview, USCIS may require you to provide your biometrics to verify your identity and/or update
background and security checks.
Decision. The decision on Form N-600 involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the
immigration benet you are seeking. USCIS will notify you of the decision in writing.
NOTE: Any Form N-600 that is not signed or accompanied by the correct fee, or a fee waiver request (Form
I-912, Request for Fee Waiver), if eligible, will be rejected. A Form N-600 that is not completed according to these
Instructions, is missing pages, or otherwise not executed in its entirety, or is not accompanied by the required initial
evidence may be rejected or delayed. You will be notied why the application is considered decient. If USCIS
rejects your application, USCIS may not be able to return the ling fee for Form N-600 to you if you do not provide
a complete and valid mailing address. If USCIS cannot return the ling fee, USCIS will deposit the fee. You may
correct the deciency and rele Form N-600. An application is not considered properly led until accepted by
USCIS.
USCIS Forms and Information
To ensure you are using the latest version of this application, visit www.uscis.gov.
Penalties
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form N-600,
we will deny your application and may deny any other immigration benet. In addition, you will face severe penalties
provided by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
Form N-600 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 12 of 12
DHS Privacy Notice
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this application, and the associated evidence, is collected under the
Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101.
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this application is to determine if you have
established eligibility for the immigration benet for which you are ling. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will
use the information you provide to grant or deny the immigration benet you are seeking.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and
any requested evidence, may delay a nal decision in your case or result in denial of your application.
ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application with other Federal, state, local,
and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the
associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS-007 - Benets Information System and DHS/USCIS-001
- Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records] which you can nd at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS
may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
Paperwork Reduction Act
USCIS may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and you are not required to respond to a collection of
information, unless it displays a currently valid Oce of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public
reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 1 hour and 24 minutes per response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the application, preparing
statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the application. The collection of biometrics is estimated
to require 1 hour and 10 minutes. 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, Oce of
Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs,
MD 20588-0009; OMB No. 1615-0057. Do not mail your completed Form N-600 to this address.
