This recent fee waiver removes a significant financial barrier for international adoptees seeking to establish U.S. citizenship.
On April 1, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began waiving the $1,300+ application fee for adoptees applying for a Certificate of Citizenship.
For international adoptees, the single most important document to establish U.S. citizenship is the Certificate of Citizenship or the Certificate of Naturalization.
In the past, some adoptive families believed other types of documentation like a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport was sufficient proof to demonstrate that an adoptee is a U.S. citizen. As the stakes for proving citizenship in the U.S. continue to rise, more processes — from employment onboarding, to financial aid applications, to driver’s licenses — require proof of U.S. citizenship. At the same time, the documents being accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship are becoming more limited.
The recent fee waiver for the N-600 Certificate of Citizenship application removes a significant financial barrier for adoptees who qualify for automatic citizenship but did not automatically receive a Certificate of Citizenship.
If you are an international adoptee and you do not have a Certificate of Citizenship or a Certificate of Naturalization, we strongly encourage you to secure this important document now!
Read updated answers to Frequently Asked Questions about international adoption and citizenship.
Once you receive a Certificate of Citizenship, please send a copy to Holt to add to your permanent adoption record, and keep the original in a safe deposit box or a fireproof safe. The process of replacing a Certificate of Citizenship can be lengthy and requires a fee of more than $500.
Did you know Holt provides support to all adoptees?
Every adoptee has a unique and complex life experience. Holt strives to support all adoptees, regardless of their placing agency, by providing help with birth search, citizenship and more.
