{"id":352758,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:46","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/citizenship\/u-s-citizenship-for-a-foreign-born-adopted-child.html"},"modified":"2023-07-26T08:27:49","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T13:27:49","slug":"u-s-citizenship-for-a-foreign-born-adopted-child","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/citizenship\/u-s-citizenship-for-a-foreign-born-adopted-child.html","title":{"rendered":"Foreign-Born Adoptees and the Child Citizenship Act"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Foreign-Born Adoptees and the Child Citizenship Act<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Most foreign\u2011born adopted children of U.S. citizens automatically gain citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act once they enter the United States. To qualify, the child must be under 18, have at least one U.S. citizen parent, and live in that parent\u2019s legal and physical custody. Families may still need to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship or complete additional steps if the child lives abroad or doesn\u2019t meet all requirements at entry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Since the passage of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA), adopted children do not need to formally apply for U.S. citizenship. They become citizens automatically. Adoptive parents of foreign-born children may get a citizenship certificate for their child. But they will need to go through the application process to do so.<\/p>\n

Understanding the documents needed can help you plan for success. It also helps to anticipate potential delays you may face. Administrative hurdles often arise during this process.<\/p>\n

This article focuses on the CCA and how it relates to foreign-born adoptees. It is important to note that there are separate processes for foreign-born children of U.S. citizens<\/a>. An immigration attorney<\/a> can explain how the CCA applies to your child\u2019s situation and help you understand which process fits your family.<\/p>\n

Continue reading for more information about citizenship, foreign adoptions, and other foreign-born adoptees’ issues.<\/p>\n

Is My Adopted Child Eligible Under the Child Citizenship Act?<\/h2>\n

For a foreign-born adopted child of U.S. parents to\u00a0get\u00a0automatic citizenship by the CCA<\/a>, the applicant child:<\/span><\/p>\n