N-600 denied but have passport, am I a citizen?

[Sasha]

My situation is a bit confusing.
The background of the story is that my younger sister applied for college aid thru the FAFSA and was not granted all the funds allocated (free grants) as they showed she wasn't a citizen. She filed the N-600 and was told some documents were missing such as my parents' naturalization certificates, copies of the A cards, etc. She has not received an answer from USCIS yet.

This led me to apply for the N-600 as well last Aug, which was DENIED in June 2008. My parents became naturalized a couple of months apart. My father became naturalized BEFORE my 18th birthday in 1997 but my mother became naturalized AFTER my 18th birthday. Shortly after we all applied for passports and I've had mine for the past 10 years, which I renewed last year and have traveled abroad nubmerous times with no problems.

1) Since the USCIS denied my N-600 application for certificate of citizenship does that mean I am not a citizen although I have a valid US Passport? :confused: If I am a citizen, should I speak to a lawyer about re-opening my case since the time for appeal has lapsed as I was on vacation abroad when the Denial letter was received.

2) I am planning on getting married :D next year to a legal permanent resident who has his Alien card without an expiration date. If I am a US citizen would he need to apply for N-400 to become a US citizen or if we should file I-130, I-485 or any other forms?

One of the lawyers I've spoken to said that I didn't file the N-400 when I should've. I was under 18 in 1997 when one of my parents became naturalized before the law changed in 2001. Should I have filed N-400?



Thank you for any input anyone can provide.

[Ron Gotcher]

You should definitely consult with an experienced attorney. There may be a problem with your citizenship. In the meantime, know that the US Supreme Court has held that a valid, unexpired US passport is CONCLUSIVE proof of US citizenship. As long as you keep your passport valid, no one can challenge your claim to citizenship.

[Sasha]

After some researching on this forum I found that you had a similar response to Rapunzel25 back in Feb 2008. The situation was also where the person's parents were naturalized at different times prior and surpassing the 18th birthday. Since I still have my Alien card as well as a valid passport there could have been a loop hole with my circumstance.
I wonder if I apply for Federal Aid (FAFSA) to go back to school whether I'll be denied any grants as in my sister's case?