{"id":352761,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/citizenship\/u-s-citizenship-through-parents-or-by-birth.html"},"modified":"2023-06-28T11:45:29","modified_gmt":"2023-06-28T16:45:29","slug":"u-s-citizenship-through-parents-or-by-birth","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/citizenship\/u-s-citizenship-through-parents-or-by-birth.html","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Citizenship Through Parents or by Birth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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U.S. Citizenship Through Parents or by Birth<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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U.S. citizenship can be obtained through birth in the United States, through U.S. citizen parents, or by deriving citizenship when a parent naturalizes. These rules depend on specific laws and timelines, which determine whether a person automatically became a citizen at birth or later in childhood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Understanding these pathways helps individuals confirm their status and gather the right proof of citizenship when needed.<\/p>\n

The Child Citizenship Act<\/a>\u00a0allows children of U.S. citizens to get citizenship automatically. The same rule applies to adoptive children of U.S. citizens. Adopted children also get the U.S. citizenship of their adoptive parents.<\/p>\n

Naturalization<\/a> is another path to acquiring U.S. citizenship. The U.S. government outlines this process in the U.S. Constitution and other implementing rules issued by U.S. agencies. Green card holders or lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can use the naturalization process.<\/p>\n

An essential part of the naturalization process involves satisfying the physical presence requirements in the country. This physical presence must be for a continuous period of three or five years, depending on the case.<\/p>\n

In general, a person can become a U.S. citizen by parent or by birth in one of three ways:<\/p>\n