Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

This is just a thought that occurred to me the other day.

When my N-400 goes through and I wave the little flag and become a USC, does my 14yo daughter becomes a USC automatically??

And what if she doesn't want to be? Can a minor become a USC against their will?

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

Yes, she becomes a USC automatically and can apply for a US Passport at the same time that you do.

If she chooses not to be a US Citizen, then when she reaches adulthood, she can denounce her US citizenship in the prescribed manner.

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

So do I have to turn her green card in at the same time as mine?

alex

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

Hi:

Pedantic Stuart strikes again. I'm sure it was inadvertent to use "denounce" rather than "renounce" -- but I like it all the same! :)

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

I like "re"nounce better :thumbsup: Although when it is renounced it is also because the person is denouncing the US.

As for the green card, no hers does not get turned in simply because she will not be dealing with the USCIS but the US Passport Agency. She would be issued a passport based on her relationship to you and the fact that she is a PR. So she would need her birth certificate listing you as her father, your naturalization certificate (original not a copy), her green card and the passport application.

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

So is it compulsory for me to get her a US passport or can she continue to use the green card for travel?

alex

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

She will become a USC and USC's have to use a passport when entering the US (with few exceptions which are being fased out, i.e. entering from Canada).

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

This isn't necessarily that automatic. The under 18 child has to live with the parent naturalizing.
When my son's father naturalized, I tried to get son naturalized too. Even then applied to USCIS.
But son's naturalization was denied. Reason - the child has to live with father; that is the father has to be the custodial parent if the parents are divorced.

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

The child has to live with the custodial parent, be it the mother or the father. The custodial parent has to be the one becoming a US and the child has to have permanent residency in the US. If both these criteria are met, then the child is a US citizen and requires a US passport to travel.

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

So what you are saying is that your son lived with you, you were not naturalizing and you have sole custody of the child.

It does not matter if the custodial parent is the mother or the father. It only matters that the custodial parent is the one naturalizing.

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

That is certainly my case. My daughter lives with me and is a LPR.

It does seem that as per my original post, my daughter gets to be a USC whether she likes it or not :huh:

I'm pretty sure that she is OK with that, I just thought it was an interesting scenario.

Just out of interest, at what age could she renounce, 18 or 21 ???

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

I believe it is 21.

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

Yes Rete of course you are right. I typed that out in a hurry from my personal situation at that time

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

In this case the child does and I was replying to this specific poster.

Re: Children becoming USC through naturalization
 

No minimum age limit in theory but in practice they would be unlikely to let someone under 18 renounce:
http://travel.state.gov/law/citizens...nship_776.html

Why on earth she would want to do something so drastic (and irreversible) is another question entirely.