U.S. Citizenship Through Parents

1. How do I become a U.S. citizen through my parents?


You can become a US citizen through your parents if one of them is a US citizen and you were born outside the US. Your parent can file a Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf. You will need to provide certain documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other documents required by the USCIS. Additionally, you must meet certain requirements such as being under 18 years old, a legal permanent resident, and unmarried. After your application is approved, you will be issued a Certificate of Citizenship and become a US citizen.

2. What are the requirements for obtaining U.S. citizenship through my parents?


The requirements for obtaining U.S. citizenship through your parents vary depending on when you were born and the immigration status of your parents. Generally, if you were born outside the United States and one or both of your parents are U.S. citizens, you must first establish that you are a child of a U.S. citizen, and then meet certain other requirements in order to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

In order to establish that you are a child of a U.S. citizen, you must show proof of the following:

1. Your parent(s) was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth;
2. Your parent(s) was physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling five years, at least two of which were after the age of fourteen;
3. Evidence that your parent(s) had lawful permanent residence status before you reached eighteen years of age; and
4. A valid claim of derivative citizenship based on the naturalization of your parent(s).

Once these criteria have been met, you must then meet the general requirements for naturalization as a U.S. citizen, which include:

1. Demonstrating good moral character;
2. Passing an English and civics test;
3. Taking an Oath of Allegiance to the United States; and
4. Being physically present in the United States for at least thirty months out of the five years preceding your application for naturalization.

3. What is the process for obtaining U.S. citizenship through my parents?


In order to obtain U.S. citizenship through your parents, you must first meet certain requirements:

1. You must be under the age of 18.

2. You must be a permanent resident of the United States.

3. One of your parents must be a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth.

4. Your parent must have been physically present in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for at least five years, two of which were after the age of 14.

5. You must be able to demonstrate that you are currently residing in the United States in a lawful manner.

6. You must meet all other requirements for naturalization, including having good moral character and a basic understanding of English and U.S. history and government (civics).

Once you have met these requirements, your parent can file Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, on your behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After USCIS approves your application, you will receive a Certificate of Citizenship, which serves as legal proof of your U.S. citizenship

4. How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen through my parents?


It typically takes about two to three years to become a U.S. citizen through your parents. It can take longer if there are delays or complications.

5. What documents do I need to become a U.S. citizen through my parents?


To become a U.S. citizen through your parents, you will need a birth certificate, your parents’ marriage certificate, your parents’ naturalization certificate (if applicable), and your parents’ passport or other proof of identity documents. Additionally, you may need to submit other documents such as adoption papers, guardianship papers, or court orders.

6. What are the benefits of becoming a U.S. citizen through my parents?


The benefits of becoming a U.S. citizen through one’s parents include the right to live and work in the United States permanently, eligibility for federal benefits such as Social Security and Medicare, the right to vote in certain elections, and the ability to travel freely within the United States and its territories. Additionally, U.S. citizens can petition for close family members to immigrate to the United States and they are eligible for diversity visas which provide an opportunity to live and work in the United States.

7. What are the differences between U.S. citizenship obtained through birth and U.S. citizenship obtained through parents?


U.S. citizenship obtained through birth, which is often referred to as “birthright citizenship,” is a right held by individuals born in the United States or certain territories to a U.S. citizen parent. U.S. citizenship obtained through parents, on the other hand, is given to individuals who are born outside of the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet certain requirements established by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It is often referred to as “derivative citizenship.” Generally speaking, those with derivative citizenship must go through a registration process as prescribed by the INA, while those with birthright citizenship are automatically U.S. citizens without any registration process required.

8. What is the age requirement for obtaining U.S. citizenship through my parents?


In order to obtain U.S. citizenship through your parents, you must be under the age of 18 and be a permanent resident of the United States.

9. How do I apply for U.S. citizenship through my parents?


In order to apply for U.S. citizenship through your parents, you must first establish that you are their child and that they are U.S. citizens. You must then submit Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship. This application must include supporting documents such as your birth certificate, proof of your parents’ U.S. citizenship and proof of their relationship to you. Along with the application, you should submit a filing fee of $1,170. Once the application is approved, you will be eligible for naturalization and can take the Oath of Citizenship to become a U.S. citizen.

10. Can I obtain U.S. citizenship through my parents if one or both of them are not citizens?


No, U.S. citizenship is not automatically obtained through parents, regardless of their citizenship status. You can obtain citizenship through your parents if they are U.S. citizens, if you were born abroad and meet certain requirements, or through the process of naturalization.

11. Can I obtain U.S. citizenship through my parents if I was born outside of the United States?


Yes, in some cases you can obtain U.S. citizenship through your parents if you were born outside of the United States. This is known as “acquisition of citizenship” and it is based on a law passed in 2000. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), if you were born outside of the United States after November 14, 1986, you may be able to acquire U.S. citizenship automatically if you meet certain criteria, including having at least one U.S. citizen parent who meets certain residence requirements. Additionally, if your parents obtained U.S. citizenship before you were 18, you may be able to gain U.S. citizenship through them. You should contact USCIS for more information or speak to an immigration attorney about your specific situation.

12. Are there fees associated with obtaining U.S. citizenship through my parents?


Yes, there are fees associated with obtaining U.S. citizenship through your parents. The total fee for applying for U.S. citizenship (Form N-600) is usually $1,170 for those over the age of 18. Additional fees may apply if you need to submit additional documents or undergo a biometric appointment.

13. Are there any restrictions on obtaining U.S. citizenship through my parents?


Yes, there are certain restrictions on obtaining U.S. citizenship through your parents. Generally speaking, you must meet certain criteria to become a U.S. citizen through your parents, and these include:

• Being born outside of the United States

• Having at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or national

• Establishing a biological or legal relationship between you and your U.S. citizen parent

• Meeting certain residence and physical presence requirements

• Demonstrating good moral character and passing a background check

14. What is the naturalization process for obtaining U.S. citizenship through my parents?


To obtain U.S. citizenship through your parents, you must first establish a legal relationship with them. You must be under 18 years of age, unmarried, and a lawful permanent resident of the United States. You must be the biological or adopted child of at least one U.S. citizen parent.

Once the legal relationship is established, the child can apply for naturalization through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The application process will include providing evidence of the legal relationship to the parent(s), submitting a complete application form, attending an interview and supplying other documentation such as proof of identity, proof of residence, and a medical exam. After all the documents are reviewed and accepted, a naturalization certificate will be issued which confers U.S. citizenship upon the child.

15 Can I be denied U.S. citizenship through my parents?


Yes, you may be denied U.S. citizenship through your parents if either one of them are not a U.S. citizen or if one or both of them did not fulfill the necessary requirements for citizenship. Additionally, you may also be denied U.S. citizenship if one of your parents is not a legal permanent resident and you have been living outside of the United States for more than a year.

16 Can I obtain dual citizenship if I become a U.S citizen through my parents?


Yes, depending on the laws of the other country. Some countries, such as Canada, allow individuals to hold dual citizenship. You should check with the other country’s consulate to find out their requirements and restrictions.

17 Do I still need to take a test to become a U.S citizen through my parents?


Yes, you will need to take a test to become a U.S. citizen through your parents. The test is called the Naturalization Test and it covers topics such as English language and U.S. history and civics. There are 100 questions on the test and you must get at least 6 of them correct in order to pass.

18 Are there any exceptions to the requirements for obtaining U.S citizenship through my parents?


Yes, there are some exceptions to the requirements for obtaining U.S citizenship through your parents. If your parents are both U.S citizens and at least one of them has lived in the United States for at least five years, then you may be eligible for citizenship even if your parent did not reside in the United States for the entire five-year period. Additionally, if you were born before December 24, 1952, different rules may apply.

19 What if one of my parents is deceased, can I still obtain U.S citizenship through them?


Yes, if your parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of their death, you may still be eligible for U.S. citizenship through them. You would need to provide evidence of their citizenship and their death records. You may also need to meet certain other requirements in order to be eligible for U.S. citizenship. An immigration attorney can help you understand your eligibility for U.S. citizenship and the best path to take in order to obtain it.

20 Does having a criminal record disqualify me from becoming a U.S citizen through my parents?


Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from obtaining U.S. citizenship through your parents, but it may make the process more difficult. The U.S. government has certain criteria for determining one’s eligibility for naturalization, and a criminal record may be taken into account when evaluating an individual’s eligibility. It is important to understand the specific criteria and the impact of a criminal record in determining eligibility before applying for citizenship.