New York · est. 2013Saturday, September 5, 2026
Inside Immigration

Plain-language guides to US immigration, asylum and USCIS procedure.

Forms

N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322

For a child living abroad with a U.S. citizen parent who did not meet the physical-presence rules for transmitting citizenship at birth. The child comes to the United States temporarily, is interviewed, and takes the oath if old enough. Citizenship is granted rather than confirmed.

Fee
$1,385 paper, $1,335 online. $0 for a child who was the subject of a final adoption and meets the definition of child under INA 101(b)(1)(E), (F), or (G).
Fee waiver
Available (Form I-912)
Who files
A U.S. citizen parent, or a citizen grandparent or guardian, on behalf of a child under 18 living outside the United States.
Where to file
Online through a USCIS account, or by mail; the interview and oath take place at a USCIS office in the United States.
Processing time
6.2 months (FY 2026 national median through June 30, 2026)

Usually filed with

Part of these processes

What changed in 2025 and 2026

  • Everything must be completed before the child turns 18, and the child must be admitted to the United States in lawful status for the interview.

Official page. https://www.uscis.gov/n-600k. Download the form there, never from a third-party site; check the edition date and fee before filing.