Obtain U. S. Citizenship For Your Minor Child

Under current US law, some internationally adopted children automatically receive US citizenship, and others do not (learn more here). For children who do not meet the automatic citizenship criteria (generally, those who enter the U.S. on an IR-4 visa), parent(s) must apply for them.

At least one of the adoptive parents must be a US citizen.
If your child will be readopted in the U.S., do this first so that any name change will be in effect.
Prepare yourself mentally for long visits to your regional USCIS (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service) office (address can be found in your local phone book under "US Govt - Justice Dept - Immigration & Naturalization").
Obtain and complete USCIS Form N-643: Application For Citizenship On Behalf Of An Adopted Child. Get the form from a regional USCIS office, by phone (1-800-870-3676) or downlowd it free online. Make photocopies of the completed form.
Have four (4) naturalization photos taken of your child. These are not passport photos; they are a different size and pose. (Instructions will be included with your form.) Write your child's name lightly in pencil on the back of each photo.
Take/mail photos, copies of child's birth certificate, passport (cover & page with Temporary Resident Permit), adoption certificate and all other documents to the USCIS. No originals except for photos.
In several months, you'll receive a notification by mail for your USCIS interview.
Take your child, every legal document pertaining to the adoption, proof of your citizenship (passport), and your child's Alien Resident Card (green card) to the interview.
You will take the oath of citizenship on your child's behalf.
Wait several more months. You will receive a letter when the Certificate of Naturalization is ready.
Pick up the certificate at your regional USCIS office. You will surrender your child's green card on this visit so be sure to take it with you.
Celebrate!

Tips:

Older children may take the oath themselves. Ask your USCIS office.
Filing fees may change. Updated information will be included with Form N-643.
Failure to obtain citizenship for your child before his/her 16th birthday could result in deportation if legal problems arise. Don't take the chance!

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