11/15/2024
Trying to obtaining United States citizenship through a parent?
Obtaining U.S. citizenship through a parent who is a U.S. citizen is possible through a process known as acquisition of citizenship. This applies to children born outside of the United States to U.S. citizen parents. The specific eligibility criteria can vary depending on factors like the date of birth and whether the U.S. citizen parent was married at the time of the child’s birth. Here’s an overview of how it works:
1. Child Born Abroad to Two U.S. Citizen Parents
If both parents are U.S. citizens, the child generally acquires U.S. citizenship at birth, as long as at least one parent lived in the United States or its territories prior to the child’s birth. No formal application is required in this case, though parents should report the birth to the U.S. embassy or consulate to obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), which serves as proof of citizenship.
2. Child Born Abroad to One U.S. Citizen Parent and One Non-Citizen Parent
If only one parent is a U.S. citizen, the child can still acquire citizenship at birth if the U.S. citizen parent meets certain physical presence requirements. As of current law, the U.S. citizen parent must have lived in the U.S. or its territories for at least 5 years prior to the child’s birth, with at least 2 of those years being after the parent turned 14. If these requirements are met, the child is considered a U.S. citizen by birth.
3. Naturalization After Birth
If a child is born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent but does not automatically acquire citizenship at birth, the child may be eligible for U.S. citizenship through a process of naturalization. The child must be under 18, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), and residing in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.
In all cases, it’s important to document the citizenship status through a CRBA or U.S. passport, as this proof is necessary for various legal and governmental purposes.
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