If your child came to the U.S. on an IR4 visa (most of the time that type is issued when the child was not seen by both parents or by the single parent prior to his/her adoption), you must readopt your child in your home state.
If your child came on an IR4 visa, he/she is considered a "resident alien" and is not a U.S. citizen. According to my research, from FY 2000-2005, almost 40,000 adopted children entered the U.S. on IR4 visas.
In conducting some research, I have learned that over the past five years, nine adults who were adopted as infants by U.S. citizens were deported to their "home countries" for varying reasons. The adopted adult children's parents had not followed through in obtaining their children's citizenship.
In some states, the process of readoption is really simple, but in other states it is a more complicated and expensive process. You need to check on your state's laws regarding what is needed to readopt your child.
Once your child is readopted, he/she is supposed to be a citizen, however, you really do not have proof of his/her citizenship. This can really create a problem because in the USCIS records, your child a "resident alien" still.
You need to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship for him/her. You can also apply for a passport, but passports expire every 5 years and have to be renewed.
You need to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship from U.S. Immigration. This also lets USCIS know that you "finalized" the adoption by readopting your adopted child. This is expensive to do, but you must follow through with the process.
What documentation can I get of my child's citizenship?
If your child permanently resides in the U.S, you can obtain evidence of your child’s citizenship by applying for a Certificate of Citizenship. You will need to file form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) and submit it to the local USCIS District Office or Sub-Office that holds jurisdiction over your permanent residence. You can also apply for a U.S. passport from the Department of State.
What forms do I file and what are the fees?
If your child permanently resides in the U.S., you can apply for evidence of citizenship by filing form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship). If you are filing on behalf of an adopted minor child, the fee is $420.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/N-600.pdf
Where should I file the forms?
If your child permanently resides in the U.S., you can file form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) at the USCIS District Office or Sub-Office that that holds jurisdiction over your permanent residence.
What resources are available to answer questions about the Child Citizenship Act?
For more information about the CCA application procedures and forms, you may contact our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. USCIS has also made available field guidance and public materials to all information officers and other front line staff to aid them in answering questions.
If your child came on an IR4 visa, he/she is considered a "resident alien" and is not a U.S. citizen. According to my research, from FY 2000-2005, almost 40,000 adopted children entered the U.S. on IR4 visas.
In conducting some research, I have learned that over the past five years, nine adults who were adopted as infants by U.S. citizens were deported to their "home countries" for varying reasons. The adopted adult children's parents had not followed through in obtaining their children's citizenship.
In some states, the process of readoption is really simple, but in other states it is a more complicated and expensive process. You need to check on your state's laws regarding what is needed to readopt your child.
Once your child is readopted, he/she is supposed to be a citizen, however, you really do not have proof of his/her citizenship. This can really create a problem because in the USCIS records, your child a "resident alien" still.
You need to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship for him/her. You can also apply for a passport, but passports expire every 5 years and have to be renewed.
You need to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship from U.S. Immigration. This also lets USCIS know that you "finalized" the adoption by readopting your adopted child. This is expensive to do, but you must follow through with the process.
What documentation can I get of my child's citizenship?
If your child permanently resides in the U.S, you can obtain evidence of your child’s citizenship by applying for a Certificate of Citizenship. You will need to file form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) and submit it to the local USCIS District Office or Sub-Office that holds jurisdiction over your permanent residence. You can also apply for a U.S. passport from the Department of State.
What forms do I file and what are the fees?
If your child permanently resides in the U.S., you can apply for evidence of citizenship by filing form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship). If you are filing on behalf of an adopted minor child, the fee is $420.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/N-600.pdf
Where should I file the forms?
If your child permanently resides in the U.S., you can file form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) at the USCIS District Office or Sub-Office that that holds jurisdiction over your permanent residence.
What resources are available to answer questions about the Child Citizenship Act?
For more information about the CCA application procedures and forms, you may contact our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. USCIS has also made available field guidance and public materials to all information officers and other front line staff to aid them in answering questions.
