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A4—I am a U.S. citizen…How do I get proof of my U.S. citizenship?
M-560B (October 2013) N
have derived U.S. citizenship. The provisions of immigration law that
govern derivative citizenship are quite precise and circumstances in
individual cases can be complex. For specific information on how
the law applies, please check our Web site at www.uscis.gov, or
the U.S. Department of State Web site at www.state.gov, or call
USCIS Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283.
I was born overseas. After I was born, my parent(s)
became naturalized U.S. citizens. Could I have derived U.S.
citizenship?
If one of your parents naturalized after February 27, 2001, and
you were a permanent resident and under 18 years old at the time,
then you may have automatically acquired U.S. citizenship. Before
that date, you may have automatically acquired U.S. citizenship if
you were a permanent resident and under 18 years old when both
parents naturalized, or if you had only one parent when that parent
naturalized.
However, if your parent(s) naturalized after you were 18, then you
will need to apply for naturalization on your own after you have
been a permanent resident for at least 5 years.
How do I apply to have my citizenship recognized?
You have two options:
•YoucanapplytotheU.S.DepartmentofStateforaU.S.
passport. A passport is evidence of citizenship and also serves
as a travel document if you need to travel. For information about
applying for a U.S. passport, see the U.S. Department of State
Web site at www.state.gov.
•IfyouarealreadyintheUnitedStates,youalsohavethe
option of applying to USCIS using Form N-600, Application for
Certificate of Citizenship. However, you may find applying for
a passport to be more convenient because it also serves as a
travel document and could be a faster process.
How do I replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed Naturalization
Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship?
To apply to replace your Naturalization Certificate or Certificate
of Citizenship issued by USCIS or by the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service, file a Form N-565, Application for
Replacement Naturalization Citizenship Document. Filing instructions
and forms are available on our Web site at www.uscis.gov.
Key Information
Key USCIS forms referenced
in this guide
Form #
Application for Certificate of Citizenship N-600
Application for Replacement Naturalization
Citizenship Document
N-565
Other U.S. Government Services–Click or Call
General
Information
www.usa.gov 1-800-333-4636
New
Immigrants
www.welcometoUSA.gov
U.S. Dept.
of State
www.state.gov 1-202-647-6575
National
Center
for Health
Statistics
www.cdc.gov
1-800-311-3435
www.cdc.gov/nchs
/birth.htm
For more copies of this guide, or information about
other customer guides, please visit
www.uscis.gov/howdoi.
You can also visit www.uscis.gov to download
forms, e-file some applications, check the status of
an application, and more. It’s a great place to start!
If you don’t have Internet access at home
or work, try your local library.
If you cannot find what you need, please call
Customer Service at: 1-800-375-5283
Hearing Impaired TDD Customer Service:
1-800-767-1833
Disclaimer: This guide provides basic information
to help you become generally familiar with our
rules and procedures. For more information, or
the law and regulations, please visit our Web
site. Immigration law can be complex, and it is
impossible to describe every aspect of every
process. You may wish to be represented by
a licensed attorney or by a nonprofit agency
accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals.