Ensuring Your or Your Child’s Citizenship Documentation 

Due to renewed concerns over citizenship, we have been receiving many calls regarding your or your child’s citizenship status. Rest assured, while the process may feel tedious, it is manageable. It is crucial to confirm whether you have a Certificate of Citizenship (COC)—even if you already have a U.S. passport. A COC is an essential document for international adoptees. 

We’ve included the next steps and helpful links below to guide you through this process: 

  1. For International Adoptees Adopted Before 2004 
    • Adoptees should verify that their parents obtained a Certificate of Citizenship (COC) by asking their parent or emailing USCIS at childcitizenact@uscis.dhs.gov.
    • If the parents did obtain a COC but it has been lost, the adoptee or parent should file Form N-565 to request a replacement. 
    • If your parents don’t remember whether or not they filed, you should:
      • Write to: 
        U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
        Buffalo Field Office (CCA Unit) 
        306 Delaware Avenue 
        Buffalo, NY 14202 
      • Or email: childcitizenact@uscis.dhs.gov 
    • If your parents never filed for a COC, file a N-600 as soon as possible. In most cases, filing is now free. Be prepared with all required documents prior to filing (visit FAQ for required list).
  2. For International Adoptees Adopted After 2004 
    • Adoptees should ensure that they or their parents have a copy of the Certificate of Citizenship. 
    • If the certificate is lost, they should file Form N-565 to replace it. 
    • If they never received a copy of the COC, they should: 
      • Write to: 
        U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
        Buffalo Field Office (CCA Unit) 
        306 Delaware Avenue 
        Buffalo, NY 14202 
      • Or email: childcitizenact@uscis.dhs.gov 
  3. For International Adoptees Adopted Between 2004–2009 (Single Parent Travel in a Two-Parent Household) 
    • Adoptees should confirm whether their parents filed for a Certificate of Citizenship (COC) after returning to the U.S. 
    • If the COC was not obtained, they should file Form N-600 now. Filing is free for most adoptees. Be prepared with all required documents prior to filing (visit FAQ for required list). 
    • If the COC was obtained but has been lost, the adoptee or parent should file Form N-565 to request a replacement. 
  4. For International Adoptees Who Have Changed Their Name 
    • If you or your child’s name was changed for any reason (e.g., during revalidation/readoption, family changes, gender affirmation, or other personal reasons) ensuring the COC reflects the current legal name is essential. 
    • To update the COC with the new name, file Form N-565 to ensure consistency across official documents like the Foreign Birth Certificate, Passport, Driver’s License, and Social Security Card. 

Example of Certificate of Citizenship

Confirming the Status of a Certificate of Citizenship

Revalidation/Readoption 

Taking your child’s documentation further through revalidation/readoption in your state can make life easier for them in the future. 

  • If your child is under 18, revalidation or readoption is crucial for simplifying processes like enrolling in school, applying for jobs, college, getting married, and more. 
  • A foreign birth certificate alone does not prove citizenship, but revalidation/readoption allows for the issuance of a state-issued foreign birth certificate that resembles a standard state-issued birth certificate.  
  • If you change your child’s name on their foreign birth certificate, file Form N-565 to update the name on their COC.  In addition, ensure consistency with their Passport and Social Security Card. 

By following these steps, you can ensure your or your child’s citizenship documentation is complete and accurate. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing info@theparkcommunity.org

FAQs

Q: Why “2004”?

A: This question relates to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA), which was signed into law by President Clinton. The CCA simplified the process for children born outside the U.S. to acquire U.S. citizenship if at least one parent was a U.S. citizen and allowed eligible children to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship (COC) automatically. The law came into effect on February 27, 2001, and applied to children who entered the U.S. as lawful permanent residents.

In 2004, a significant policy change occurred: If both parents traveled to complete the adoption process abroad, USCIS began automatically issuing Certificates of Citizenship upon their return to the U.S. with their child.

Later, between 2008 and 2009, USCIS expanded this policy, automatically issuing COCs to adopted children even when only one parent traveled abroad to complete the adoption.

Q: Do you recommend we pursue a readoption/revalidation, even though our child is now over 18 and has their COC?

A: While we strongly recommend completing a readoption or revalidation before the age of 18, it is not mandatory. For those over 18, the process may still be possible, but you will need to contact your state’s vital records office to determine the requirements and feasibility.

Q:  If I have changed my name since getting married, is it necessary to update my Certificate of Citizenship (COC) to reflect the name change?

A: While updating the COC is not strictly required, it is highly recommended. If a question about your citizenship arises, you will need to provide proof of your name change, such as your marriage license. To streamline the process and avoid complications, we advise updating all documents—including the COC—to reflect your new name.  To do this, fill out a N-565.

Q: What documents are required for a N-600 form?

A: You will need the following documents ready for your N-600 application

– 2″ x 2″ photo of you
– Your birth certificate (Certificate of Foreign Birth)
– U.S. citizen parent(s)’s birth certificate
– U.S. citizen parent(s)’s proof of U.S. citizenship
– Your proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. Passport)
– U.S. citizen parent(s)’s marriage certificates
– Copy of full, final adoption decree
– Proof of legal or physical custody
– Evidence of all legal name changes