Passport: Why Not Sufficient for Proof of Citizenship?

A passport is issued by the U.S. Department of State; a Certificate of Citizenship is issued by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). Every child adopted abroad currently entering the U.S. must go through Immigration upon arrival. The new Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services issues a Permanent Resident Card (even though, technically, if your child arrives on an IR-3 visa he/she is already a U.S. citizen). Your child, however, still retains permanent resident status on the records with BCIS until a Certificate of Citizenship is issued.

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The only way to get the BCIS to change the status to U.S. citizen is to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship using Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship. This is the form that replaces Form N-643 and consolidates the application for citizenship for both biological children and adopted children born outside the U.S., but who permanently reside inside the U.S. The application fee is now $155, and the form and instructions can be downloaded from the BCIS web site at www.bcis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/n-600.htm The information from adoption agencies and social workers about getting a passport in lieu of the Certificate of Citizenship is incorrect and could inflict damage on the child in the future.

All children adopted from overseas must have a Certificate of Citizenship for their permanent protection. Forget about the passport (which must be renewed every five years). Obtain it only if you plan to take your child out of the U.S. Think about this . . . when your child becomes an adult and wishes to adopt a child from China, do you really think BCIS is going to accept a passport as proof of citizenship when their own records state that the person is a permanent resident?

The certificate of citizenship costs $155. It lasts a lifetime. Passports have to be renewed every 5 years until the child is 16; every 10 years after that-for life! After all the money spent on home studies and social workers and adoption agencies and dossiers and overseas travel, why balk at the most important document your child will ever need. I can't emphasize this point strongly enough.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created quite a mess in its interpretation. While your child may well be a citizen, you have to prove it. I have created a Citizenship Packet that makes applying for this document very easy. Anyone wanting it can e-mail me and I will e-mail it back to you. The packet contains a cover letter from you to BCIS outlining what copies of documents are needed. It also contains links for you to obtain the N-600 and even fill it out on-line and print it out, ready for mailing. If anyone has additional questions, please call or write me. I strongly believe in advocating for the children to ensure that they all have the rights that legally belong to them when they are adults.