Naturalization is an intriguing legal process that allows people to become citizens of the United States even if they were not born on American soil. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) outlines the specific requirements that individuals must meet to obtain this status, either at birth or later. Some individuals can achieve automatic naturalization without being born in the United States if they meet a number of specific requirements.
These requirements for automatic naturalization include being born to U.S. citizens, being under the age of 18, and meeting additional criteria established by the USCIS. For those interested in learning more, the official USCIS website contains all of the details and additional information, including a complete list of requirements. One of the essential requirements for obtaining citizenship is that the child’s parents be US citizens.
Pathway to Citizenship for Adopted Children
Some children born abroad and adopted by American citizens are automatically granted US citizenship when they enter the country as lawful permanent residents. The visas for adopted minors work as follows:
Adopted minors who qualify for naturalization must enter the United States using one of the following visa types:
- IR2:Â Adopted by an immediate relative.
- IR3:Â Orphan adopted abroad.
- IR4:Â Orphan arriving in the U.S. for adoption.
According to immigration officials, these children are “automatically eligible” for US citizenship as soon as they enter the country.
“Children born or adopted in a foreign country who meet the requirements can obtain U.S. citizenship before turning 18 under the Child Citizenship Act (CCA),” according to the US Department of State website. According to the CCA, as cited by USCIS officials, a child born outside the United States “automatically becomes a U.S. citizen” if the following conditions are met.
Eligibility Criteria for Automatic United States Citizenship:
- The individual is a child of a U.S. citizen, either by birth or through naturalization.
- The child is under 18 years of age.
- They hold the status of a lawful permanent resident (LPR).
- The child resides in the United States under the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.
Options for Recognizing Citizenship
The authorities clarify that there is no set order in which these requirements must be met in order to obtain citizenship. The important point is that all requirements are met before the child reaches 18 years of age. Children born abroad must typically submit a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
When a child is born outside of the United States to US citizens, the parents are usually required to obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). This important document is issued by the United States Department of State and serves as proof of the child’s citizenship. It is critical to secure this document before the child turns 18.If the parents did not apply for a CRBA, there are two main options for determining the child’s citizenship:
Applying for a U.S. Passport
If the child’s birth was not registered with a United States embassy or consulate, the following documents will be required:
- Foreign birth certificate showing the parents’ names.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship for one parent.
- Parents’ marriage certificate, if applicable.
- A declaration from the U.S. citizen parents detailing where and when they lived in the U.S. and abroad before the child’s birth.
To pursue this option, submit Form N-600. According to the official portal of the United States government, this form verifies your citizenship status. It applies if you were born abroad and claimed citizenship at birth through your parents.
