OldJuddian

I know that kids under 18 become citizens at the time that their parents do, which I believe means at the time of the oath ceremony. With the naturalization process slowing down will this mean that some teens could age-out and have to start their own naturalization?

I completed my journey just before Covid, but I have friends with 16+ yr old kids which may end up in this situation if USCIS slows down. i.e. child is 16 when submit paperwork, but could be 18 if the process drags out.

Noorah101

Yes.

Rene

civilservant

Agree with this. The law is clear, a child over 18 does not acquire USC when their parent does and has to apply for naturalization for themselves.

Rete

No offense, CS, but to make it 110% clear to readers .... a child 18 or over does not acquire USC when their parent does ...

civilservant

Um... that's literally word for word what I just said.

Ok there's an extra 'or' which I guess you could argue changes the meaning, allthough 18 and 1 day is still over 18.... Thanks for clarifying though

Rete

I could see too many newbies reading ""over 18" to mean "they automatically become USC up until their 19th birthday." No one I know would think of the 18 years plus 1 day is over 18 years of age. Call me the cynic.

mum 2 3

I think we will fall under this. Our 5 years with PR is May 2022, my oldest child will turn 18 in August that year. Even applying 90 days before, in the February, things will have to move quickly if he is to squeeze in. Will have to see what happens. He will do better with citizenship questions anyway as we have been here since he was in 3rd grade

steph0scope

Likely you will fall into that category. Plus they are about to furlough a large number of employees. I filed my N-400 last autumn and am currently not expected to be finished before January 2021. That's 16 months even before the furloughs start.

lizzyq

As it doesn't increase your cost I would apply 89 days before and hope that it was processed quickly enough to include eldest, but be prepared for him to have to apply himself possibly to the extent of having the forms filled out and ready for him to sign and submit on his 18th birthday (or very soon after) so as not to lose any more time for him than necessary.

OldJuddian

In 11 months my friend's son will either be a citizen or have to start the naturalization process himself as an 18yr old. It's a shame that this can happen, meaning more time and money, but I agree that the rules are clear. Pre-covid 18+ months looked to be enough time, but now it looks unlikely. At least it is just time and money, and not bigger immigration complications.