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Form N-600: applying for a Certificate of Citizenship

Form N-600 costs $1,385 under 8 CFR 106.2(b)(7), with no fee for current or former US armed forces members applying for themselves or for a child with a qualifying final adoption. The applicant bears the burden of proving citizenship by a preponderance of the evidence (8 CFR 341.2(c)). A denied N-600 cannot simply be refiled once appeal time has run.

The N-600 is for people who say they are already US citizens, usually because of a parent, and want the document that proves it. That is the difference from the N-400: the N-400 is how a permanent resident becomes a citizen, and the N-600 is how someone who is a citizen already gets a Certificate of Citizenship. The fee is higher than the N-400's, and the rules sit in a different part of the regulations.

This page uses 8 CFR 106.2 and 106.3 (fee and waiver), 8 CFR Part 341 (examination, proof and denial), 8 CFR 103.2 (rejection), and two sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act: INA 320 (8 U.S.C. 1431) and INA 341 (8 U.S.C. 1452). All were read on 9 October 2026. It does not say whether a particular person is a citizen. Citizenship through a parent depends on birth dates, the parent's own citizenship history, physical presence, marriage, legitimation, custody and residence, and often on rules that changed over time. That analysis belongs to an attorney or accredited representative with the family's documents.

The page sets out what the fee is, how the process works and what goes wrong. It does not say who qualifies.

The fee and the no-fee cases

8 CFR 106.2(b)(7) sets the fee for Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, at $1,385. Two groups pay nothing under the same paragraph:

  • "There is no fee for any application filed by a current or former member of any branch of the U.S. armed forces on their own behalf" (106.2(b)(7)(i)).
  • "There is no fee for an application filed on behalf of an individual who is the subject of a final adoption for immigration purposes and meets (or met before age 18) the definition of child under section 101(b)(1)(E), (F), or (G) of the Act" (106.2(b)(7)(ii)).

The related Form N-600K, for a child who regularly resides outside the US and claims citizenship through a US citizen parent under INA 322, carries the same $1,385 fee, with the adoption exception (106.2(b)(8)).

Fee waiver. Both the N-600 and the N-600K appear on the list of fees that "may be waived without condition" in 8 CFR 106.3(a)(3)(i). The applicant must show inability to pay by a means-tested benefit, household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or extreme financial hardship, and must make a written request with evidence (106.3(a)(1)–(2)). On the HHS 2026 guidelines (91 FR 1797) for the 48 contiguous states, 150 percent works out to $23,940 for one person, $32,460 for two, $40,980 for three and $49,500 for four. Those percentages are our arithmetic from HHS's 100% figures, and the regulation says "There is no appeal of the denial of a fee waiver request." Our guide to the I-912 sets out the process.

The N-600 is not on the reduced-fee track. The $380 rate in 8 CFR 106.2(b)(3) is written into the N-400 line only. Nothing in the N-600 paragraph offers an income-based reduced fee.

Online discount. Under 8 CFR 106.1(g), forms filed online cost $50 less unless otherwise provided. The N-600 paragraph contains no carve-out, so the arithmetic points to $1,335 online. Whether the form can be filed online on the day you file, and the amount charged, is shown on the USCIS form page and G-1055, which should be checked before paying. USCIS's 16 October 2026 inflation notice lists four fees (the annual asylum fee, the I-131 parole fee, initial I-765 for asylum, parole and TPS applicants, and the I-821). The N-600 is not among them.

Related fees. Form N-565, to replace a naturalization or citizenship document, is $555, with no fee to correct an error under 8 CFR 338.5(a) (106.2(b)(6)). Form G-1566, Request for Certificate of Non-Existence, is $330 (106.2(c)(12)). Both are read from the regulation text.

What the statute says the certificate is, and what INA 320 does

The certificate. 8 U.S.C. 1452(a) (INA 341) says a person "who claims to have derived United States citizenship through the naturalization of a parent … or who is a citizen of the United States by virtue of" a list of provisions "may apply to the Attorney General for a certificate of citizenship." The statute speaks of the Attorney General, and the regulation in 8 CFR Part 341 assigns the examination to USCIS. Upon proof "to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that the applicant is a citizen, and that the applicant's alleged citizenship was derived as claimed, or acquired, as the case may be, and upon taking and subscribing before a member of the Service within the United States to the oath of allegiance," the person "shall be furnished" with a certificate, "but only if such individual is at the time within the United States."

Three observations from the wording. The statute says "may apply", so the certificate is a document a citizen can request rather than a step the statute makes compulsory. The text speaks of citizenship "derived" through a parent and of citizenship "acquired", two different legal routes that depend on the date of birth and the parent's history. And a certificate is issued only to someone physically in the US at the time, subject to the exception for section 322 cases in 8 CFR 341.5(c).

Automatic citizenship under INA 320. 8 U.S.C. 1431(a): "A child born outside of the United States automatically becomes a citizen of the United States when all of the following conditions have been fulfilled":

  1. at least one parent of the child is a citizen of the United States, whether by birth or naturalization;
  2. the child is under the age of eighteen years; and
  3. the child is residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence.

Subsection (b) applies the section to an adopted child who meets the definition in 8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1). Subsection (c) deems the residence condition satisfied for certain children of US government employees and military personnel living abroad with a citizen parent. The words "automatically becomes" explain why a child can already be a citizen without ever having filed anything: the certificate documents a status that exists, it does not create one.

This page does not tell you whether any person meets those conditions, or whether an earlier version of the statute applies to someone born before a given date. The statute has been amended several times (the notes to 8 U.S.C. 1431 list amendments in 1978, 1981, 1986, 1988, 2000, 2014 and 2020), so the version that applies to a person depends on dates. A family with an older child, a legitimation question or a parent's naturalization date in doubt needs an attorney or accredited representative to read the facts.

How the examination works under 8 CFR Part 341

Filing. 8 CFR 341.1: the application "must be submitted on the form designated by USCIS with the fee specified in 8 CFR 106.2 and in accordance with the instructions on the form."

Interview. 341.2(a)(1) says the application "may be processed without interview if the USCIS officer adjudicating the case has in the administrative file(s) all the required documentation necessary to establish the applicant's eligibility for U.S. citizenship, or if the application is accompanied by one of the following":

  • a Department of State Form FS-240 (Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States);
  • an unexpired US passport issued initially for a full five- or ten-year period to the applicant as a citizen; or
  • the applicant's parent's or parents' naturalization certificate(s).

Otherwise, when notified, "each applicant … shall appear in person before an officer for examination under oath or affirmation" (341.2(a)(2)). A person under 18 must have a parent or guardian apply, appear and testify, with a narrow exception.

Burden and standard. 341.2(c): "The burden of proof shall be upon the claimant, or his parent or guardian if one is acting in his behalf, to establish the claimed citizenship by a preponderance of the evidence." That is the ordinary civil standard, but the burden is on the applicant, and it is a claim about a legal status that depends on documents from other people and sometimes other countries.

Witnesses and rights. 341.2(b) allows USCIS to call witnesses "only if that person's testimony is needed to prove a particular point." Under 341.2(e), the officer questions the claimant about each assertion in the application. 341.2(f): "The claimant shall have the right to representation during the proceedings, as provided in part 292 of this chapter."

Surrender. 341.4: "Each claimant shall surrender any immigration identification and permanent resident cards in his or her possession."

Oath and delivery. 341.5(b): if the application is granted, USCIS prepares a certificate, and unless the claimant is unable by reason of mental incapacity or young age to understand the oath, he or she must take the oath of renunciation and allegiance "before USCIS within the United States."

Signatures. 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A)(3) says an N-600 or N-600K "may only be rejected if the only deficiency with the request is that it was not submitted with a valid signature." Other defects go to the broader rejection rules, including the correct-fee rule in 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(D).

Denial, appeal and why a second filing is not simple

Denial and appeal. 8 CFR 341.5(d): "If USCIS denies the application, the applicant will be furnished the reasons for denial and advised of the right to appeal in accordance with 8 CFR 103.3." 103.3(a)(2)(i) sets the appeal on Form I-290B, with the fee in 106.2 ($800 for an I-290B under 106.2(a)(16)), and the complete appeal due "within 30 days after service of the decision."

Subsequent applications. 341.5(e) is the rule that surprises people: "After an application for a certificate of citizenship has been denied and the time for appeal has expired, USCIS will reject a subsequent application submitted by the same individual and the applicant will be instructed to submit a motion to reopen or reconsider in accordance with 8 CFR 103.5. The motion must be accompanied by the rejected application and the fee specified in 8 CFR 106.2." In other words, a second N-600 filed after the appeal window closes is rejected, and the route is a motion, which has its own 30-day period in 8 CFR 103.5(a)(1)(i) and its own fee. The consequence of a missed deadline here is real, so the 30-day window after a denial is the time to speak to an attorney or accredited representative rather than to file again.

Fee arithmetic of a denial. A denial followed by an appeal costs the I-290B fee on top of the original filing fee. The I-290B can be waived only in the cases in 106.3(a)(3)(ii)(D), for example "when there is no fee for the underlying application or petition or that fee may be waived." The N-600 fee may be waived, so a waiver-eligible applicant may be able to ask for the appeal fee to be waived too. The regulation text does not guarantee that outcome.

N-600 or N-400? They answer different questions. The N-400 (8 CFR 106.2(b)(3), $760 or $380 reduced) is the application by a permanent resident to become a citizen, with its own residence and presence tests in 8 CFR 316.2 and 319.1. The N-600 asks USCIS to recognize that the person is already a citizen. Both can end with a document that proves citizenship, but they rest on different legal claims, and filing one is not a substitute for the other. Which fits a person is a legal judgment. Our pages on the N-400 fee and on whether you need a lawyer for citizenship explain the N-400 side.

What goes wrong in practice.

  • Treating the certificate as optional when a deadline or benefit depends on proof.
  • Submitting copies where the form instructions require originals, or missing the parent's documents.
  • Leaving a gap in the parent's residence history that the file does not explain.
  • Missing the 30-day appeal or motion window after a denial.
  • Paying someone who is not an attorney or accredited representative to decide the legal question. 8 CFR 292.1 lists who may represent a person; a notario is not on it.

Finding a licensed attorney or accredited representative

Migratio's directory lists immigration attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives. Listings are shown in a neutral order with factual filters (state, language, attorney or accredited representative). Migratio does not recommend, rank or match any lawyer, and it is not a lawyer referral service. Check any listing yourself against the state bar or the EOIR roster before you sign anything.

See attorneys and accredited representatives in the directory.

Notaries public, notarios and immigration consultants are not lawyers and cannot give immigration legal advice. Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can.

Migratio is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can advise you.

Questions people ask

How much does Form N-600 cost in 2026?

$1,385 under 8 CFR 106.2(b)(7). There is no fee for a current or former member of the US armed forces applying on their own behalf, or for an application for a person with a qualifying final adoption. The fee may be waived under 8 CFR 106.3(a)(3)(i) if inability to pay is shown.

What is the difference between the N-600 and the N-400?

The N-400 is the application by a permanent resident to become a citizen ($760, or $380 at or below 400% of the poverty guidelines). The N-600 is an application by a person who claims to be a citizen already, for a Certificate of Citizenship ($1,385). They rest on different legal claims.

Does a child automatically become a citizen?

Under INA 320 (8 U.S.C. 1431), a child born outside the US automatically becomes a citizen when a parent is a US citizen, the child is under 18, and the child is residing in the US in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent under a lawful admission for permanent residence. Whether that applies depends on dates and facts for each person.

What happens if my N-600 is denied?

USCIS must give the reasons and advise of the right to appeal under 8 CFR 103.3, which on Form I-290B must be filed within 30 days after service. After the appeal time has run, 8 CFR 341.5(e) says a new N-600 will be rejected and the person is instructed to file a motion to reopen or reconsider.

Who has to prove citizenship in an N-600 case?

The claimant. 8 CFR 341.2(c) puts the burden on the claimant, or the parent or guardian acting for them, to establish the claimed citizenship by a preponderance of the evidence.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-09.

Related guides

  • N-400 fee in 2026: $760, the $380 reduced fee and fee waivers — The regulation sets the N-400 fee at $760, or $380 if documented household income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (8 CFR 106.2(b)(3)). The fee can also be waived on the three grounds in 8 CFR 106.3(a)(1). Military applicants under INA 328 or 329 pay nothing.
  • Do I need a lawyer to apply for US citizenship? — No rule requires one. The N-400 fee is $760 on paper, $380 at or below 400% of the poverty guidelines, and it can be waived. The core test in 8 CFR 316.2 is five years as a permanent resident with 30 months' physical presence, or three years and 18 months for a spouse living with a US citizen (8 CFR 319.1).
  • USCIS fees, October 2026: every main form — As at 9 October 2026 the paper fee is $675 for the I-130, $1,440 for an adult I-485, $520 for a standard I-765, $750 for the I-751 and $760 for the N-400. Four fees rise on 16 October 2026, EB-5 fees change on 30 November 2026, and several changes are only proposed.
  • USCIS fee waiver (Form I-912): which forms qualify and how it works — Only the fees listed in 8 CFR 106.3(a)(3) can be waived, and the green card petition for a relative (I-130) and advance parole are not on the main list. Inability to pay is shown by a means-tested benefit, household income at or below 150% of the poverty guidelines, or extreme financial hardship. A denial cannot be appealed.
  • Form I-90: replacing or renewing a green card — Form I-90 costs $465 under 8 CFR 106.2(a)(1), with no fee if the card never arrived, carries a DHS error, or the holder turned 14 and the card expires after their 16th birthday. 8 CFR 264.5(b) lists when a permanent resident shall apply, including when the card is lost, stolen, mutilated, or will expire within six months.
  • Who can legally give US immigration advice? — Attorneys in good standing and DOJ-accredited representatives of recognized non-profits can advise and represent you; a few narrow categories can appear unpaid. Notaries, notarios and immigration consultants cannot give immigration legal advice. Form preparers may only fill in blanks for a nominal fee.
  • Free ($0) and low-cost immigration legal help: where it comes from — Legal help at $0 or low cost comes mainly from three official sources: EOIR's List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers (for people in immigration court), DOJ-recognized non-profits with accredited representatives, and supervised law school clinics. Government filing fees usually still apply.