Acquiring or Deriving Citizenship Through Parents
Even if you were not born in the United States, you may be a U.S. citizen. This can happen by being born overseas to a U.S. citizen parent or parents, or by having held a green card when your parents became naturalized U.S. citizens. However, the legal details have changed over the years. Find out more here.
Get Informed Articles & Information
How Acquisition and Derivation of U.S. Citizenship Works
moreHow Acquisition and Derivation of U.S. Citizenship Works
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U.S. Citizenship by Birth or Through Parents
An overview of who may acquire or derive U.S. citizenship through their parents' citizenship status or naturalization. -
Acquisition or Derivation of Citizenship for Adopted Children
Adopted children can acquire or derive U.S. citizenship from parents in similar ways to biological children -- but additional rules apply. -
Can I get U.S. citizenship through a grandparent?
When U.S. citizenship can pass down through generations. -
When U.S. parents use assisted reproductive technology, is baby born abroad a U.S. citizen?
Longstanding U.S. immigration law creates complications and injustices when applied to modern technological possibilities. -
Can my daughter gain U.S. citizenship through my ex, her father?
Your daughter may have been a U.S. citizen at birth, but if not, the key will be to not have the new spouse adopt her. -
Frequently Asked Questions About When Children May Derive Citizenship From Parents Who Naturalize
Learn how the derivation of citizenship rules play out in common situations. -
Three Ways People Born Outside the U.S. Acquire U.S. Citizenship Through Parents
Although the laws have changed over the years, you're most likely to be able to acquire citizenship from your parents if you fall into one of a few fact patterns.
Checking Your Birth Date Against the Laws of Acquisition
moreChecking Your Birth Date Against the Laws of Acquisition
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Born abroad to U.S. citizens between 12/24/1952 and 11/13/1986? You yourself may be a U.S. citizen.
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Here's the law on who, born in recent decades, becomes a citizen automatically through a U.S. citizen parent.
Checking Your Birth Date Against the Laws of Derivation
moreChecking Your Birth Date Against the Laws of Derivation
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Deriving Citizenship Through Parents (Naturalized between 10/24/1952 and 10/04/1978)
If you have a green card, check into your family history, you may discover that you're already a U.S. citizen based on your parents naturalization. -
Deriving Citizenship Through Parents (Naturalized between 10/05/1978 and 02/26/2001)
For green card holders whose parents naturalized, derivation of U.S. citizenship is a possibility. -
Deriving Citizenship Through Parents If You Turn 18 on or After February 27, 2001
You may already be a U.S. citizen, through an automatic process called derivation."
Applying for U.S. Government Recognition of Your Status as a Citizen
moreApplying for U.S. Government Recognition of Your Status as a Citizen
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How the Foreign-Born Children of American Citizens Can Prove or Obtain U.S. Nationality
You should be able to obtain proof of your acquired or derived U.S. citizenship. -
What should I get first: a Certificate of Citizenship or U.S. passport?
Citizens by acquisition or derivation can apply for a passport without first having a certificate of citizenship, and vice versa. -
When adopted children of U.S. citizens receive automatic citizenship.
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How people who became citizens automatically through their parents can prepare the USCIS form requesting a Certificate of Citizenship.
