The N-600 process usually takes anywhere from 3 to 14 months, depending on where you live and how thorough your application is.
The good news? With the right prep work, a lot of families get their child’s Certificate of Citizenship faster than they expected—which means one less thing keeping you up at night.
We’re going to walk you through what actually happens with N-600 timeline expectations, what can slow things down, how to check on your case, and what to do if it feels like your application is stuck in limbo.
How Long Does Form N-600 Take to Process?
It really depends on where you’re filing from. USCIS processing times are all over the map because different field offices have different workloads and staffing levels.
Here’s how the USCIS puts it: “We generally process cases in the order we receive them. This processing time is based on how long the N-600 takes to process for 80% of cases over the past six months. Each case is unique, and some cases may take longer than others. Processing times should be used as a reference point, not an absolute measure of how long your case will take to be completed.”
What does that look like in real life? As of writing this blog, Atlanta’s office wraps up 80% of N-600 cases within 4.5 months. Tampa? Just 3 months. Some offices take way longer—pushing 12 to 14 months.
As someone who has gone through this process personally over the summer, my local office posted a 4.5-month timeline, and I actually finished everything before that from the biometrics appointment to the N-600 application to the Oath ceremony where I received my certificate of citizenship
What Affects N-600 Processing Times?
Beyond how busy your local office is, the biggest thing that impacts your N-600 timeline? The documents you send in. USCIS needs a pretty long list of stuff, and if anything’s missing or unclear, you’re looking at delays while you fix it.
Here’s what you’ll typically need:
- Your child’s birth certificate (translated to English by a certified translator if needed)
- Proof you’re a U.S. citizen (passport, naturalization certificate, etc.)
- Your child’s adoption decree
- Evidence your child entered the U.S. legally
- Your child’s green card or immigrant visa
- Two passport photos of your child
- Marriage certificate (if you’re married)
- Any legal name change documentation
- Your N-600 filing fee receipt
This was the longest part of the process for my situation that played out over the summer, waiting to hear back on whether or not they needed any additional documentation.
I ended up getting a case status update that moved me along to the next stage in the process which was the Oath Ceremony with no delays or adjustments needed, but I had the help of the adoption agencies that helped facilitate my adoption.
I got the required documents sent to me and double checked with the agencies to ensure I had what I needed and what I would be submitting sufficed.
Other things that can slow you down include background checks, security clearances, and USCIS catching inconsistencies in your paperwork. The more buttoned-up your initial application is, the smoother everything goes.
How to Check Your N-600 Case Status
USCIS makes it pretty easy to track where your application stands.
- First option: Log into your USCIS online account—the one you created when you filed your N-600. Your dashboard shows your case history and a “My Progress” tab with updates on where things are.
- Second option: Use your receipt number (that 13-character code with three letters and 10 numbers you got when you submitted) and plug it into the USCIS case status tool.
- My experience: I found that there wasn’t any timeframe given to me beyond the tool to check processing times at the local field offices. I just checked my email daily and would be informed whenever I had a new message in my USCIS account and would then login to see what was next.
Checking in regularly helps you stay on top of things and catch any requests for more documents early.
Can the N-600 Process Be Expedited?
Sometimes, yeah. But USCIS has pretty strict rules about when they’ll speed things up. They’ll consider expediting if:
- Someone’s facing serious financial loss
- There’s an emergency or urgent humanitarian reason
- A nonprofit organization is requesting it for cultural or social purposes
- It involves U.S. Government interests
- USCIS made an error
- USCIS has a compelling interest
For most families, the humanitarian category is your best bet. Maybe your child needs citizenship proof for urgent medical care abroad, a time-sensitive school opportunity, or something else that can’t wait.
To request an expedite, you’ll need solid evidence backing up your reason. Just know that USCIS calls the shots here—they can say yes or no, and they’re not obligated to approve anything.
Common Delays and How to Avoid Them
We talked about what affects timing earlier, but let’s dig into the most common problems families run into—and how you can skip them.
Missing or wrong paperwork is the number one reason things get delayed. Forget one form or send in a translation that’s not certified? You’ve just added months to your wait. Before you submit anything, make a checklist and verify everything meets USCIS standards.
Adoption decree problems are also super common.
USCIS needs crystal-clear proof that your adoption was finalized and your child got U.S. citizenship through it. If your decree is from another country, make sure you’ve got a certified English translation.
Birth certificates trip people up too. It needs to show your child’s original name and any legal name changes. If documents went missing or got damaged, get certified copies before filing.
And watch out for mismatches—different spellings, dates that don’t line up. These will trigger requests for clarification. Double-check that everything matches exactly across all your forms.
What to Do If Your N-600 Is Taking Too Long
If your case is taking longer than normal for your office, here’s what you can do.
First, submit an inquiry through USCIS. This online tool lets you flag that your case might need attention. You’ll need your receipt number and filing date.
You can also schedule an InfoPass appointment to talk with someone in person at your local USCIS office. Sometimes a real conversation helps identify problems you can’t see online.
If you’re still stuck, consider reaching out to your congressional representative’s office. A lot of representatives have staff who help constituents deal with federal agencies, and they can sometimes help move things along.
Through all of this, keep records of everything.
Save copies of all USCIS correspondence, write down phone call dates, and keep a file with every document and receipt. This stuff becomes super important if you need to escalate or get legal help.
When to Seek Legal Support
Some situations really benefit from having a lawyer. If your parents weren’t married when they became citizens, if you were adopted as an adult, or if your adoption was complicated, talking to an immigration attorney makes sense.
Legal help is also smart if USCIS asked for more evidence and you’re not sure what to send, if your application got denied, or if you’re facing weird delays that normal inquiries haven’t fixed.
A good attorney knows the system and can advocate for you effectively.
Foster + Bloom is one firm with serious expertise here—they offer immigration and citizenship legal services and understand the unique challenges adoptive families face. They can give you personalized guidance for your specific situation.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or your case involves anything beyond straightforward adoption citizenship, reach out to qualified experts.
Need Help with Your N-600? We Can Connect You With an Attorney
Understanding how long the N-600 takes to process is just the start. The real key is having the right prep, paperwork, and support.
While most families handle the N-600 process on their own, knowing when to get help—from your adoption agency or an immigration attorney—can save you months of frustration.
At American Adoptions, we get that your child’s Certificate of Citizenship is more than paperwork—it’s about protecting your family and making sure your child has full access to everything U.S. citizenship offers.
Whether you adopted through us or somewhere else, we’re here with information, resources, and connections to trusted legal pros when you need them.
Speak with a specialist who gets it—get started today and stop worrying about whether you’ve got everything right.
