[dgens]

Help! I am a little confused.
We brought our little girl home on an IR3 - at the Houston Immigration Office in the airport they told us we would have to file an N-600 to get her Certificate of Citizenship - even though she is considered a resident. The N-600 is another $215.00 and I know friends that came through Dallas that did not have to do this - they also came home on an IR3.
ANY INFO WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED!

[CEB]

I write this based on my experience to date with DS who came home on an IR-3 visa as well: Her COC will magically appear in the mail about one month after you arrived home with her. No more forms or money necessary. However, note that the COC you receive will have your daughters name on it as it is in her Guatemalan passport - your last name and her birth first name etc. If you are changing her name, once you complete that process if you want a new COC in her then legal name, you do have to fill out a form (this is just an if - not necessary). I am just starting the legal name change process so I have not yet focused on the form to know whether or not there is a fee for the second COC, but there may well be.

[dilgra]

We were told the same thing in Houston even though our daughter came home on a IR3 visa. I think they don't quite understand the difference to tell you the truth because despite what we were told, the COC came in the mail 30 days after we came home . We didn't have to file anything else. I knew they were wrong when they told us but didn't want to argue with them that day. I think they just like telling you your child isn't a citizen . Best of luck to you

[DPline]

Yes, you will receive a COC in the mail automatically.

If you do a legal name change, you will have to file form N565 to get a new COC in her new name. Personally, I feel that especially in this post-9/11 society and continuously increasing US security measures, I want my children's legal names on file with USCIS as citizens and want that certificate to prove it without a shadow of a doubt.

They may never need it (though I have been told that for things like joining the military, government jobs that require security clearance, things like that - and of course adopting internationally - it may be necessary) I want it 'just in case.' A passport can show citizenship, but it expires and is issued by the State Department, not USCIS/Homeland Security. The new birth certificate that is issued by your state will still say the child was born in Guatemala, and does not prove citizenship. Personally I feel better having the corrected COC even if they never need it

[myguatbabes]

Yes it is automatic and comes in a few months after you arrive home with your child. I second what DPline says though and have filed N565's on all my children who are home already.

Hope this helps!!