Q&A

Do both parents have to be American citizens?

Do both parents have to be American citizens?

The law in effect at the time of birth determines whether someone born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent (or parents) is a U.S. citizen at birth. In general, these laws require that at least one parent was a U.S. citizen, and the U.S. citizen parent had lived in the United States for a period of time.

When did your parent become an US citizen?

Your U.S. citizen parent lived at least five years in the United States before you were born; and. At least two of the five years in the United States were after your U.S. citizen parent’s 14th birthday.

When did you become a US citizen if you were born abroad?

From 1940 until 1978, a child born abroad who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth but had only one U.S. citizen parent had to fulfill a “retention requirement” of residing, or being physically present, in the United States or its outlying possessions for a certain number of years before reaching a specified age.

How to become an US citizen after age 18?

over the age of 18: Your U.S. citizen parent must be listed on your birth certificate. You should review the information concerning transmission requirements (PDF 162KB) to see if your parent (s) had the prerequisite physical presence in the United States required by U.S. citizenship law in effect at that time.

Can a child born outside of the United States become an US citizen?

Congress has enacted laws that determine how citizenship is conveyed by a U.S. citizen parent (or parents) to children born outside of the United States. The law in effect at the time of birth determines whether someone born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent (or parents) is a U.S. citizen at birth.

Your U.S. citizen parent lived at least five years in the United States before you were born; and. At least two of the five years in the United States were after your U.S. citizen parent’s 14th birthday.

When do you become a citizen of the United States?

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How old do you have to be to bring your parents to America?

To petition for your parents (mother or father) to live in the United States as Green Card holders, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. Green Card holders (permanent residents) may not petition to bring parents to live permanently in the United States.

Congress has enacted laws that determine how citizenship is conveyed by a U.S. citizen parent (or parents) to children born outside of the United States. The law in effect at the time of birth determines whether someone born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent (or parents) is a U.S. citizen at birth.