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I was born in England to US Citizen parents. Father was in US Air Force, stationed in England. Mother traveled there to be with him when I was born. I was there for 5 months and then entered the US as a US citizen. Since I was born out of country, I am required to obtain Certification of Citizenship from Immigration Service! The application costs $600. I have been a citizen of this country for almost 60 years, paid my taxes, worked hard, played by the rules - and now I have to get citizenship papers! The cost for a CHL will total almost $1000.

I an understand having to get some sort of papers since I was born out of country - but to charge me $600??? This is so wrong.

I was born in the Panama Canal Zone while it was an "unorganized US territory"; one of my parents is a US citizen, the other isn't.

Do you have a US Passport? I just sent that showing that I'm a US Citizen and it was good enough... it you don't, getting a passport is cheaper than obtaining the certification of citizenship. But perhaps worth a call to DPS to double-check.

No, I do not have a passport, as I have never left the country.

John,

It may be worth a call to DPS to ask what documents are acceptable for proof of citizenship before spending $600 on a certificate or $100+ on a passport (not sure how much it costs nowadays).

I think for those of us who were born out of the country, we have to show that we are either a citizen or legal resident. In my case, since I was born in a dead country I am used to have my citizenship questioned often... one time I even had to show my dad's birth certificate because the official I was dealing with had no idea what the Canal Zone was.

you should have gotten a certification of birth abroad from the consulates office and a consular birth certificate, those 2 documents are all thats needed not naturalization paper work

I was kind of in the same boat. Luckily, my passport is still good.

I have a birth certificate from the State Department, but that wasn't on the list of approved documents on the checklist.

I clicked on the link for proof of citizenship papers figuring they might be good to have. Then I looked at what it would cost. $600 for a piece of paper stating I'm a citizen. That's just stupid.

Born to American parents, one an Army officer, in an American Army hospital, on an American military base. Taxpayer for 20+ years. Former Army enlisted man. And I have to pay $600 for a piece of paper verifying what they already know. Silly.

the list of approved documents just says birth certificate, doesn't specify where it has to be from, I think someone at DPS is making arbitrary and capricious decisions. now who do we need to e mail into oblivion to get this bull fixed?

My son was born in FRG on an army bas in an army hospital too, I have atleast 2 documents to prove he is a us citizen. did you get the birth certificate or the certification of us citizen birth abroad?

Charles???? a little help here would be good

JP171 wrote:the list of approved documents just says birth certificate, doesn't specify where it has to be from, I think someone at DPS is making arbitrary and capricious decisions. now who do we need to e mail into oblivion to get this bull fixed?

Fix what? A birth certificate from somewhere overseas doesn't prove US Citizenship.

The way I see it, he has three easy choices.
1. Include a copy of his Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) to prove he's a US citizen.
2. Include a copy of his U.S. Passort book or U.S, Passport card to prove he's a US citizen.
3. Complain that DPS won't take his word for it.

Another choice it to send what documentation he does have, showing he's a U.S. citizen, and hope DPS accepts that, but there's no guarantees if you decide you don't want to follow the guidelines.

I was 5 months old when we came into the country. They told my parents (the Air Force) that no papers were needed for me. I guess maybe I should go into Mexico and cross back by the light of the moon. Then I get a pardon, citizenship, medical care, drivers license, etc etc. Silly me for paying taxes for 60 years. My bad.

rkjohn wrote:I was 5 months old when we came into the country. They told my parents (the Air Force) that no papers were needed for me. I guess maybe I should go into Mexico and cross back by the light of the moon. Then I get a pardon, citizenship, medical care, drivers license, etc etc. Silly me for paying taxes for 60 years. My bad.

Good luck with that. If it makes you feel better to play the victim instead of being proactive, maybe a CHL is not for you.

proactive? Pay My Country $600 for papers? Yeah I'll pay it. Good luck to you when you need them. It's coming for all of us.

rkjohn wrote:proactive? Pay My Country $600 for papers? Yeah I'll pay it. Good luck to you when you need them. It's coming for all of us.

A United States Passport Card is $30 for ten years and there's a $25 application fee if you never had a passport before. If you want to pay $600 for the other papers, you can do that. It's your choice. But I don't understand the hate for DPS having reasonable checks to prevent ineligible people from getting a CHL.

I would love to get a passport instead - they dont give you a choice - passport is not on the checklist. I have no problem at all with proof of citizenship. I have Certificate from the State Department - also not on the checklist.

My wife had the exact same problem, born in spain to U.S. Citizens, Air Force . She had a passport as a preschool child that has been expired more than 40 years. We sent a copy of that and they accepted it! I would get a passport and submit it. It's cheaper and easier than getting the $600 certificate. Delayed her 1 week.

thanks jayinsat.....this is why I came here, hoping to find someone who had been through the same thing and found an acceptable resolution instead of the condescension I have received from ......whoever he is that has no clue

thanks