Reminder: Certificate of Citizenship Fees Increasing Set for December 23!

Certificate of Citizenship fee is doubling on December 23rd for adopted children. If your child is still in need of their Certificate of Citizenship, we encourage you to act now to get this permanent document of their U.S. Citizenship. In the following video, NCFA chats with McLane Layton and Christine Poarch, experts in the Child Citizenship Act and immigration law for adoption. They share why the Certificate of Citizenship is important and why you should act now to get yours before the price increase. You’ll also find answers to some FAQs that can help you complete the N-600 form for the Certificate of Citizenship yourself. A huge thanks to Christine Poarch and McLane Layton for joining us and sharing their expertise!

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USCIS Fee for Certificate of Citizenship Will Increase on December 23, 2016

Fee Changes from USCIS Hague and Non-Hague Petitions and Certificate of Citizenship

On Monday October 24, USCIS published its final rule outlining changes in their fee schedule for services, including those for several adoption-related services.  You will note small fee increases for I-600/600As, I-800/800As, and a near-doubling of the fee to obtain a certificate of citizenship (N-600), which increases to $1,170.  The fee increases go to into effect on December 23, 2016. If you are filing any adoption related petition, be sure to reference the new fee schedule.  All this is very disappointing given the broadly expressed opposition to increasing the N-600 and that Congress even made their objections known.
 
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Help! My Child's Certificate of Citizenship Has His First Name

Did you know? Your child’s Certificate of Citizenship may have their original name from birth, a name that was possibly phonetically modified into an English version, or perhaps you have added a middle name since your arrival home.  If this is the case and you would like to have a Certificate of Citizenship issued with the child’s new legal name, correctly spelled or with a middle name added, you can request a name change and receive an amended Certificate of Citizenship.  

Alert: USCIS Issuing Redesigned Certificates of Citizenship

On Aug. 5, 2013-- USCIS will start issuing redesigned certificates including:

• Form N-578, Special Certificate of Naturalization;
• Form N-645, Certificate of Citizenship (Posthumous);
• Form N-645A, Certificate of Citizenship (Posthumous).

The redesigned certificates feature state-of-the-art technology to deter counterfeiting, prevent tampering, and allow for quick and accurate authentication.

These improvements are part of USCIS’s ongoing efforts to produce secure documents and enhance the integrity of the immigration system. Since 2010, USCIS has redesigned:

• Form N-550, Certificate of Naturalization; 
• Form N-560, Certificate of Citizenship;
• Form I-765, Employment Authorization Document; 
• Form N-561, Replacement Certificate of Citizenship; and 
• Form N-570, Replacement Certificate of Naturalization.

All of the redesigned forms include enhanced security features. USCIS will continue to make enhancements as technology improves.

Although the look and feel of the documents is new, the process of applying for and receiving them will not change. Previously issued certificates will remain valid.