This page is general information, not legal advice. Obtain individual advice about the child’s citizenship and admission history before filing.
Quick summary: N-600K is the USCIS citizenship application for an eligible child residing outside the United States. The child must complete the process while under 18 and unmarried; the parent or qualifying grandparent must meet the five-year US physical-presence requirement, including two years after age 14. General fees are $1,385 on paper or $1,335 online in G-1055, edition 10/26/26.
First check whether the child is already a citizen. USCIS says not to file N-600K for a child who already acquired citizenship automatically. The N-600 certificate guide addresses documenting citizenship already acquired.
Check the family and residence requirements
The N-600K instructions require a qualifying relationship to a US citizen parent, residence outside the United States, and legal and physical custody by that parent. The qualifying relationships include specified biological, gestational and adoptive relationships; a stepparent relationship alone does not qualify. Adoption cases must meet the instructions’ separate adoption requirements.
The US citizen parent filing the application must regularly reside outside the United States. The parent must have at least five years of US physical presence, including at least two after age 14. If the parent does not meet that requirement, the parent’s own US citizen parent may supply the qualifying presence. Using a grandparent’s presence is different from having the grandparent file the application. A parent who is a member of the US armed forces may count time spent outside the United States on official military orders toward this presence requirement, as long as the child is living abroad with that parent under official military orders when the application is filed.
USCIS allows a US citizen grandparent or US citizen legal guardian to file within five years of the qualifying citizen parent’s death. In that circumstance, the person with legal and physical custody must not object. The five-year window is only for filing: the physical-presence requirement must already have been met, by the deceased parent or by the US citizen grandparent, before the parent’s death, and a grandparent whose presence is relied on must have been a US citizen at the time of that death. Read the instructions’ death and custody provisions together.
Match each requirement to evidence
| Issue | Evidence described by USCIS | Qualification to preserve |
|---|---|---|
| Child and parent birth records | Records issued and certified by a civil authority in the country of birth | Submit the child’s and the US citizen parent’s records |
| Citizenship of qualifying parent or grandparent | Examples include a US birth certificate, naturalization certificate or valid unexpired US passport | Grandparent evidence applies when that person’s citizenship/presence is relied on |
| US physical presence | School, employment or military records; deeds, mortgages or leases; Social Security reports; organizational attestations; knowledgeable third-party affidavits; passport entries and exits | Establish the required periods, including time after age 14 |
| Custody | Evidence of legal and physical custody in divorce, separation or adoption cases | Match the evidence to the family’s circumstances |
| Deceased citizen parent | Proof of death | A grandparent or guardian filing requires evidence of death within the preceding five years |
| Lawful admission/status | Form I-94, if available, at interview; passport/travel-document evidence as instructed | The ordinary route requires temporary US presence in lawful status following lawful admission at approval |
For documents in Spanish, USCIS requires a full English translation with the translator’s certification of accuracy, completeness and competence, plus signature, printed name, signature date and contact information.
Plan the interview and fees
USCIS says to file at least 90 days before the requested interview date, but that is not a processing guarantee. It will not schedule the interview until it determines the application is complete, and advises waiting for the appointment notice before travel. The applicant is responsible for securing any visa needed for lawful admission.
A qualifying military-family exception allows completion abroad for a child authorized to accompany and reside with the service-member parent under official military orders. Read that exception before applying the ordinary US-presence requirement to a military case; the instructions add that a child in that situation who is a lawful permanent resident may have already acquired citizenship and therefore cannot obtain a certificate through N-600K.
The G-1055 schedule lists general fees of $1,385 on paper and $1,335 online. Its $0 adoption provision applies to a child who is the subject of a final adoption for immigration purposes and meets the child definition under INA 101(b)(1)(E), (F) or (G). It also lists eligible fee-waiver applicants at $0; see the I-912 guide. More family tasks are in the diaspora hub.
Sources
- USCIS N-600K instructions, read 31 October 2026
- USCIS G-1055, read 31 October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is filing before age 18 enough?
No. USCIS requires the child to remain under 18 and unmarried throughout the process, including the oath when applicable. The required interview and citizenship process must be completed before age 18.
Can a grandparent's US presence count?
If the US citizen parent does not meet the physical-presence requirement, USCIS permits reliance on that parent’s own US citizen parent: at least five years in the United States, including at least two after age 14.
Can the interview date be guaranteed?
No. USCIS says it will consider the requested date and location but may not be able to schedule the requested date. It advises waiting for the appointment notice before traveling.
What are the general N-600K fees?
USCIS G-1055, edition 10/26/26, lists $1,385 for paper filing and $1,335 online. It also lists $0 for qualifying final-adoption cases and eligible fee-waiver applicants.
