Under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, if you were born in the United States you are a U.S. Citizen.

If you are not born a United States Citizen, you may still be eligible for citizenship through naturalization. In order to obtain citizenship through Naturalization, the following requirements must generally be met:

  1. Residence in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident for 5 years.
  2. Physical presence in the U.S. for at least one half (30 months)  of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application.
  3. Be able to read, write, and speak English. 
  4. Pass a short test demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government (civics).
  5. Be a person of "good moral character."

Acquisition of Citizenship 

You may also be eligible for citizenship through your U.S. citizen parents. There are two general ways to obtain citizenship through U.S. citizen parents, one at birth and one after birth but before the age of 18. 

Acquisition of citizenship at birth:

The requirements for citizenship at birth for children born outside of the United States depend upon the marital status of your parents, whether your mother, father, or both parents were United Stated citizens, and for how long and at what age the United States citizen parent lived in the United States before you were born.

Derivative citizenship through the naturalization or U.S. birth of one parent:

Derivative citizenship is citizenship given to children through the naturalization of parents or, sometimes, to foreign-born children adopted by United States citizen parents, if certain conditions are met before you are 18. The requirements for automatic U.S. Citizenship after birth - But Before the Age of 18 depend upon when you were born or adopted by your U.S. citizen parent.

The application and interview process for U.S. citizenship can be complicated and time consuming.  Our immigration law firm can help you navigate the complex requirements and procedural rules of applying for U.S. citizenship.

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