As a citizen of the United States, an American is entitled to certain rights, protections, and benefits. American citizenship serves as the foundation of the fundamental rights that are derived from and protected by the Constitution, along with the laws of the United States.
These fundamental rights include due process, freedom of expression, the ability to live and work in the U.S., receive federal assistance, and the right to vote for most citizens. When becoming a U.S. citizen, an individual will pledge allegiance to the United States and take an oath to support and defend the United States constitution.
If you have questions regarding U.S. citizenship, a certificate of citizenship lawyer NYC can help. The immigration attorneys at Feiner & Lavy, P.C. have helped numerous clients obtain United States citizenship. Our lawyers speak four different languages, such as English, Arabic, Spanish, and Hebrew, allowing them to connect closely with their clients and better assist them with their immigration needs. At Feiner & Lavy, P.C., we strive for success and work hard to ensure our clients feel comfortable throughout the legal process.
A certificate of citizenship is a document issued to someone who was born outside of the United States who acquired or derived United States citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent. This document is generally accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship. Other documents that are accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship include
In some cases, a person may not have access to a certificate of citizenship showing that they are a U.S. citizen through their U.S. citizen parent. If you were born outside of the United States and your birth and U.S. citizenship were registered with the United States Embassy or Consulate, you can contact the U.S. Department of State.
If you were born outside of the United States and you believe that you obtained U.S. citizenship at birth due to one or both of your parents having been United States citizens at the time of your birth, but this information was not registered with the U.S. Embassy, there may be additional steps to take. It is important to understand that whether or not someone who was born outside of the U.S. to a U.S. citizen parent is actually a U.S. citizen actually depends on the law that was in effect at the time of their birth.
Laws regarding U.S. citizenship for children born outside of the United States to U.S. citizen parents have changed over the years. Typically, the law requires a combination of one or both parents being a United States citizen at the time of the child’s birth and a parent that has lived in the U.S. for a specific period of time. Since derivative citizenship can be complicated and may require careful legal analysis, it is crucial to contact a certificate of citizenship lawyer NYC to handle the matter.
The law that is in effect at the time you are born applies if you want to claim United States citizenship based on your birth abroad to parents who are U.S. citizens. For these purposes, you must be a biological child of your parent (or parents) who are U.S. citizens.
There are different provisions that apply depending on whether you were born “in wedlock” or “out-of-wedlock.” If you are claiming U.S. citizenship prior to reaching 18 years of age, the law that is in effect for purposes of your eligibility is the law in effect at the time the last qualifying condition was met. These conditions, as listed below, must be met before you reach the age of 18.
If a child is adopted, that child can acquire United States citizenship through their adoptive U.S. citizen parent, depending on the applicable law. At this time, an adopted child is able to acquire United States citizenship through their U.S. citizen parent. However, stepchildren are unable to acquire U.S. citizenship under this provision.
There are two ways that you can have your United States citizenship recognized. One way is to apply to the U.S. Department of State for a U.S. passport. Having a U.S. passport is evidence of United States citizenship. It also can serve as a travel document confirming your status as a United States citizen.
If you are in the United States already, you can also apply to USCIS using Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship. However, in some cases, applying for a passport is faster and more convenient because it also can serve as a travel document.
Before you file Form N-600, it is important to understand that filing this application is not a request to become a United States citizen. This is an application to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship that serves as proof that you became a U.S. citizen on a specific date. You can file Form N-600 at any time if you became a United States citizen at birth or after birth, but prior to turning 18 years of age.
When you fill out Form N-600, be sure to either write or type in black ink. You should answer all of the questions on the form accurately and completely. If more information is needed or you need more space, you can include the additional information on a separate sheet of paper and attach it to your form.
For questions that do not apply to you (such as questions regarding a spouse if you are unmarried), you can type or write “N/A” unless otherwise directed in the instructions. A certificate of citizenship lawyer NYC can help you make sure that you fill out all of the necessary information required to obtain your citizenship certificate successfully.
You will need to include all of the requested evidence in the form instructions when you submit your application. If you do not include everything that is required, then USCIS may deny your application.
If you have hired a certificate of citizenship lawyer NYC to help you, your lawyer will be able to assist you with gathering all of the required evidence to support your application. Examples of evidence that you will need to include when submitting Form N-600 include:
Other evidence may be required if certain circumstances apply in your case, such as proof of legal and physical custody, a copy of an adoption decree, and other documents depending on the facts of your case.
You can file Form N-600 on your own without an attorney, but hiring a certificate of citizenship lawyer NYC to handle your case can make the process easier on you. A certificate of citizenship lawyer NYC will be able to help you make sure that you are eligible to receive this certificate, to begin with. Additionally, an attorney with experience requesting certificates of citizenship will help make sure that you include all required documentation and that you follow all of the necessary steps to obtain your certificate of citizenship and give you the best chance at a successful outcome.
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