{"id":357674,"date":"2021-06-30T15:34:06","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T20:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civic-engagement\/what-makes-a-good-citizen\/what-does-citizenship-mean.html"},"modified":"2021-06-30T15:34:06","modified_gmt":"2021-06-30T20:34:06","slug":"what-does-citizenship-mean","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civic-engagement\/what-makes-a-good-citizen\/what-does-citizenship-mean.html","title":{"rendered":"What Does Citizenship Mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Does Citizenship Mean?<\/h1>\n\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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Citizenship refers to a legal and social status that grants individuals specific rights\u2014like voting, holding a passport, and serving on a jury\u2014along with responsibilities such as obeying laws and participating in civic life. People can become citizens by birth, through their parents, or by completing a naturalization process that includes residency requirements and an oath of allegiance.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Types of Citizenship<\/h2>\n

Citizenship is most frequently mentioned when referring to one’s nation of origin or current residence, but the term can also apply to situations in which someone is a member of another type of community.<\/p>\n

Some people consider themselves to be “citizens” of cities, states, schools, and more. Often, being a citizen of any type of group or community comes with certain obligations and the expectation that one will undertake these in order to give back to the community.<\/p>\n

Rights and Duties of a Citizen<\/h2>\n

Being a citizen is accompanied by additional rights and responsibilities that are not granted to noncitizen residents of a nation. In the United States, these include:<\/p>\n