CITIZENSHIP ACQUIRED AT BIRTH
People who are born abroad may acquire U.S. citizenship through one or both U.S. citizen parents. We can help you with the acquisition at birth application in the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you live.
Different laws apply if you were born in a marriage or out of wedlock and it also matters if the U.S. parent if your father or mother. Citizenship immigration laws are constantly changing. We recommend that you contact attorney Yunuen Mora from Cross Border Lawyer so we can assist you in this process.
DERIVED CITIZENSHIP
A child of a U.S. citizen derives citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act in the following circumstances:
- One or both parents are U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization (if child was born out of wedlock, other requirements apply)
- The child is under 18 years old
- The child is a legal permanent residence
- The child is in the United States under the custody of the U.S. citizen father
- Adopted children qualify for derived citizenship if they were adopted before their 16th birthday
NATURALIZATION
You qualify for U.S. citizenship if:
- You have been a legal permanent resident for 5 years or 3 years if you became a resident through marriage to a U.S. citizen (exceptions apply if you served in the military)
- Ability to read and speak English
- Civics test of U.S. history
- Have good moral character and not having been convicted of certain offenses
There are exceptions to the English component:
- You are over 50 years old and you have been a resident for 20 years; or
- You are over 55 years old and you have been a resident for 15 years; or
- You are over 65 years old and you have been a resident for 20 years
