Question:
I recently became a US citizen through
naturalization. I now want to apply
for passports for myself and my
kids (all aged 12 and under). Obviously
I only have 1 Certificate of Naturalization
(CoN) but I want to apply for multiple
passports (me and the kids). I am
confused as to how to go about this
and have received conflicting info
from the State Dept and from a Passport
Application Acceptance Facility.
Here's the
conflicting info:
(a) State
Dept person #1 told me (via phone)
that the acceptance facility (e.g.
USPS) would photocopy my CoN and
send copies with the kids' passport
applications. This is because the
applications are considered separate
and might not even go to the same
passport processing center.
(b) State
Dept person #2 told me (via email)
to simply make a note (providing
my name, DOB and SSN) on the kids'
applications stating that the original
CoN was with my passport application.
(c) Acceptance
facility person told me that photocopies
were not needed - that all the applications
would be submitted and processed
together with the single CoN. Also,
the acceptance facility person told
me that my kids have to submit their
green cards along with their passport
applications and that the green
cards would not be returned as they
would no longer be needed once the
kids have US passports.
Is this true?
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thanks in advance.
Answer:
You have to apply for Certificate
of Citizenship for each of your
children separately. Form N-600.
Then you will have no problems applying
for their passports. However, do
not take my word, call USCIS hot
line (800) 375-5283, they will tell
you. No true if the child is under
the age of 16. They will get a US
Passport on their parent's naturalization
certificate but only valid up to
the time they are 16. BTW the 1-800
misinformation for the CIS is worthless.
Please if you feel the need to call,
remember you are talking to contract
personnel who are outside employees
of a subcontractor who have no training
in CIS rules and regulations.
