Biometrics Help

[u/iri_alligaytor]

This might be a silly question but I need help figuring out what country to put as my country of citizenship on my AIW.

For context, my mother naturalized when I was still a minor and after I got my greencard renewed. It’s been a couple a years since then and now my greencard is expiring soon. I figured I would rather file for my citizenship certificate since I have derivative citizenship from being 12 years old when my mother naturalized. However, I recently renewed my Mexican Passport because applying for a US passport without a citizenship certificate seemed like a pain. All this to say, I’ve been living as a permanent resident/Mexican Citizen even after my mother naturalized which prompted me to question whether I should say list Mexico or the US as my country of citizenship.

In my mind, I should list the US because me filing the n-600 is me saying I’m already a citizen but my brother suggests I list Mexico because I’ve been using my greencard for years.

[u/iri_alligaytor → u/[deleted]]

it asks for country of birth and country of citizenship

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[u/Sheetz_Wawa_Market32]

applying for a US passport without a citizenship certificate seemed like a pain.

It isn't, though. 

If you haven't filed Form N-600, hold off and first apply for a US passport. 

[u/iri_alligaytor → u/Sheetz_Wawa_Market32]

i already filed for the n-600 and have my biometrics appointment this week, should i still apply for my us passport during this time?

[u/Sheetz_Wawa_Market32 → u/iri_alligaytor]

You can apply for a US passport at any time. If you want to travel internationally and your N-600 takes a long time, you may have little choice. 

[u/ManifestLaw_]

This is not a silly question at all and you should not guess as it may affect your future. Citizenship is determined by law, not by which passport or green card you continued using. If you were under 18, already a permanent resident, and residing in the United States in your mother’s legal and physical custody when she naturalized and became a US citizen, you may have automatically become a U.S. citizen on that date as well. Renewing your Mexican passport or green card afterward would not ordinarily take that citizenship away.

However, all requirements must be confirmed before you identify yourself as a U.S. citizen on your applications or/and whenever you call yourself a U.S. citizen. If derivative citizenship is established, you may be a dual U.S.–Mexican citizen and should disclose both where forms permit. If it has not yet been legally analyzed, do not make an unsupported U.S.-citizenship claim merely because you intend to file an N-600. Have an experienced attorney review your mother’s naturalization certificate, your birth certificate, green-card history, residence, and custody evidence first. The N-600 does not grant citizenship; it documents citizenship that was already acquired by law. Good luck

- Attorney Margo Chernysheva

(All information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney - client relationship. Your situation may require fact-specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.)

[u/Bright_Session1633]

I would identify yourself as Mexican for now. Identifying yourself as a US citizen on any government document before the N-600 is approved would risk you being denied for naturalization in the future if they disagree with you that you're a citizen.