I was adopted in 1994 and had no clue I still needed my certificate of citizenship until 2025, even though I had a valid passport, social security card, and all the documents I thought proved I was a U.S. citizen.
Other adult adoptees are finding out that their adoptee citizenship status isn’t as cut and dry as they thought.
This blog covers what I learned during this eye-opening process, the legal stuff surrounding adoptee citizenship issues, and why getting your certificate might be way more important than you think…even decades after your adoption was finalized.
A special thank you to the very knowledgeable attorneys at Foster + Bloom Family Formation Law Group for their guidance on this blog. Any adoptees looking for help in a similar situation can reach out to Foster + Bloom.
What Is the Certificate of Citizenship and What Does It Do?
Let’s break down what a certificate of citizenship actually is and how it’s different from other documents you might already have.
Certificate of Citizenship
- What it is: A federal document from USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- Who needs it: People born outside the U.S. who got citizenship at birth through their U.S. citizen parents or became citizens automatically before turning 18
- What it does: Acts as official, permanent proof that you’re a U.S. citizen, even though you weren’t born here
Birth Certificate
- What it is: A state document that records when and where you were born
- Who needs it: Anyone born in the United States uses this as their main proof of citizenship
- What it does: Shows an official record of your birth within U.S. borders
Passport
- What it is: A travel document from the U.S. Department of State
- Who needs it: U.S. citizens who want to travel internationally
- What it does: Shows you’re a U.S. citizen and lets you enter and leave foreign countries
- The catch: You need your birth certificate or certificate of citizenship to get a passport in the first place
Here’s the key difference: Your passport expires and can get lost or stolen. The Certificate of Citizenship is permanent federal proof of your citizenship status, no matter where you were born.
Can You Be a Citizen Without a Certificate?
This is where things get tricky for adoptees. The short answer is yes, but proving it? That’s where the problems start.
If you were Adopted within the United States
You probably got a new birth certificate from your state of adoption with your adoptive parents’ names.
This usually works fine as proof of citizenship since you were born on U.S. soil.
If you were Adopted Internationally
Your situation is more complicated. You might have gotten citizenship through the adoption process, but you might not have the federal paperwork that clearly proves this.
This is where knowing the difference between a certificate of naturalization and a certificate of citizenship really matters.
A certificate of naturalization goes to people who went through the traditional process to become citizens—usually adults who filed Form N-400.
A certificate of citizenship is for people who got citizenship automatically, often as kids through adoption or through citizen parents.
Here’s the problem: Being a citizen and being able to easily prove you’re a citizen are two totally different things. Lots of adult adoptees are finding out this gap can create serious headaches in everyday life.
Risks of Not Having a Certificate of Citizenship
The risks of not having your certificate of citizenship include:
- Not having permanent proof of citizenship if your passport expires
- Running into trouble getting important documents like a renewed passport, driver’s license, or social security card
- Dealing with complications when employers need to verify you can legally work.
Let me tell you how this became real for me
I had planned a trip to Canada in 2025, but all the headlines about immigration policies and stories of people with proper documentation getting detained at borders made my parents suggest I get my certificate of citizenship.
I was floored…I had no idea I needed any other paperwork to prove my citizenship after 30+ years since my adoption.
Even though I had a valid passport, social security card, driver’s license, and birth certificate, I still felt worried.
This USCIS link shows you typical processing times for various types of forms in specific cities and we ended up canceling the trip while I started the whole process of getting my certificate of citizenship with the timeline uncertain for how long it would take.
This whole experience opened my eyes to something most people don’t realize: millions of Americans don’t have easy access to documents that prove their citizenship. For adoptees, this gap can mean job problems, travel issues, and in worst-case scenarios, even deportation risks.
Coordinating between my parents, the social services agency and the international adoption agency took a second to get the documents I needed in order to apply for my certificate of citizenship.
From identifying what they were to who had the specific documents to getting them emailed to me so I could upload them during the application process.
Why Do I Need a Certificate of Citizenship as an Adult Adoptee?
Each adoption situation is unique, but if you’re asking “why do I need a certificate of citizenship,” you likely need one to help cement and clarify your citizenship status beyond any doubt.
The benefits of a certificate of citizenship for adult adoptees include:
- Having a permanent document that doesn’t expire like a passport
- Protecting yourself from potential legal complications including deportation to your country of birth (regardless of the life you’ve built in the U.S. and whether you have current ties to your birth country)
- Providing unquestionable proof for employment verification,
- Offering peace of mind in an increasingly complex immigration landscape.
In my case, I needed a certificate of citizenship because I was an international adoptee who became a naturalized citizen outside the traditional legal process of applying through the N-400 form.
My citizenship was derived through the adoption process, but I never had the federal documentation to prove this clearly.
The adoptee citizenship landscape is complex because adoption laws, immigration laws, and citizenship requirements have all evolved over the decades.
How the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 Changed the Law: An Adoptee’s Experience
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 was a game-changer for kids adopted internationally.
This law gave automatic citizenship to children adopted under age 18 on or after February 27, 2001, as long as they met certain requirements like having at least one U.S. citizen parent and being admitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident.
My adoption happened in 1994, but its provisions applied to children under 18 who were born on or after February 28, 1983, and were in the U.S. with a U.S. citizen parent.
My parents did everything right, working with a Christian nonprofit and international adoption agency to get all the necessary documents, like my permanent resident card, birth certificate, and passport, when my adoption was finalized.
Back in 1994, my parents weren’t told one way or another about getting the certificate of citizenship. When the Child Citizenship Act became law, it clarified my status as a naturalized citizen and explained why I never got a certificate of naturalization through the N-400 form.
Understanding how this law affected adoptees like myself helps explain why some international adoptees automatically have citizenship documentation while others, like me, need to take extra steps.
Common Misunderstandings About Citizenship for Adoptees
Immigration, deportation, and birthright citizenship have been frequent topics in recent news cycles.
Regardless of your political stance, it’s important to address common misunderstandings about adoptee citizenship that can create unnecessary anxiety or, conversely, false security.
Myth #1: A U.S. Passport Proves Everything
While a passport is excellent proof of citizenship, it expires and can be lost or stolen. More importantly, some adoptees received passports based on documents that may not clearly establish their permanent citizenship status.
Myth #2: Green Cards Are Enough
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not U.S. citizens. Some adult adoptees discover they’ve been permanent residents their entire lives but never actually completed the citizenship process.
Myth #3: Adoption Equals Automatic Citizenship
This depends entirely on when and how your adoption occurred, your age at adoption, your parents’ citizenship status, and various other factors. The process isn’t as automatic as many assume.
Myth #4: Birth Certificates From Your Adoptive State Prove Citizenship
If you were born outside the U.S., your amended birth certificate from your adoptive state shows legal parentage but may not clearly establish citizenship for federal purposes.
What are the Adult Adoptee Certificate of Citizenship Requirements?
The certificate of citizenship requirements for adult adoptees depend on your individual situation—such as when you were adopted, your age at adoption, your parents’ citizenship status, and whether you kept permanent resident status.
According to USCIS, you may be eligible if you:
- Were adopted by U.S. citizen parents
- Were under 18 when the adoption was finalized
- Were legally admitted as a permanent resident
- Lived in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parents
- Meet residence requirements
The application process isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some adoptees file Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship), while others may need different forms depending on their circumstances.
Because requirements vary, many adult adoptees work with professionals to ensure they file the right forms and meet all criteria.
How to Obtain a Certificate of Citizenship as an Adult Adoptee (N-600 Process)
If you’ve figured out you need to apply for your certificate of citizenship, here’s what the typical certificate of citizenship adult adoptee application process looks like:
- Step 1.Biometrics Appointment – USCIS collects your fingerprints and photos for background checks.
- Step 2.Gather Documents – Collect personal records, adoption decree, proof of parents’ citizenship, and other supporting evidence.
- Step 3.Submit Form N-600 – Complete and file the application with accurate details about your adoption and immigration history.
- Step 4.USCIS Review – Wait several months while USCIS reviews your case and possibly requests more evidence.
- Step 5.Certificate of Citizenship – If approved, you’ll attend a ceremony, take the oath, and receive your certificate.
How Adoption Agencies Like American Adoptions Can Help
You don’t have to navigate adoptee citizenship issues alone.
American Adoptions provides lifelong support to adoptees—even those adopted through other agencies—by connecting them with legal experts who specialize in citizenship and immigration challenges unique to adoption.
Our commitment to adoptees extends far beyond placement. We can help you understand your documentation, access specialized legal resources, and connect with professionals who provide personalized guidance for your citizenship situation.
Whether you need legal referrals or simply want to speak with someone who understands the adoptee experience, our team is here to support you at every stage of life.
Start Your Citizenship Journey Today with Help from Adoption Experts
Your adoption story is unique, and your path to securing proper citizenship documentation may be different from other adoptees’ experiences.
The important thing is taking that first step to understand your options and get the support you deserve.
Don’t let uncertainty about your citizenship status limit your opportunities or create anxiety about your future.
Learn more about international adoption and connect with professionals who understand the lifelong implications of adoption, including citizenship questions that can arise decades after placement.
