What is the legal process to becoming a citizen if you were not born a citizen of the United States?

What is the legal process to becoming a citizen if you were not born a citizen of the United States?

Citizenship through Naturalization Naturalization refers to the process in which a person not born in the United States voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen. For foreign-born persons, naturalization is the most common way to become a U.S. citizen.

Can you be a U.S. citizen if you weren’t born in the US?

It doesn’t matter whether you were born on U.S. or foreign soil. And if you have children, they’ll also acquire U.S. citizenship through you at birth. Additionally, foreign-born adoptees to U.S. citizens also may claim U.S. citizenship.

What do we call the legal process that foreigners go through to become citizens?

Naturalization is the process through which an immigrant to the United States can become a U.S. citizen. Only certain immigrants are eligible: those who either have been green card holders (permanent residents) for 3–5 years or meet various military service requirements.

What is the legal process to become a U.S. citizen?

In order to be naturalized, an applicant must first meet certain criteria to apply for citizenship. Then, the applicant must complete an application, attend an interview, and pass an English and a civics test. Upon successful completion of these steps, the applicant takes an oath of allegiance, and becomes a citizen.

How do you become a citizen of the United States?

Become a Citizen. There are two ways to become a United States (U.S.) citizen – by birth or through naturalization.

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.

Can a biological parent become an US citizen?

If your biological or adoptive parent (s) became U.S. citizens before you reached the age of 18, you may already be a U.S. citizen and not need to apply for naturalization. For more information, visit USCIS’s Citizenship Through Parents page. The USCIS Citizenship Resource Center is designed to help you through the naturalization process.

How is citizenship acquired by a child born abroad?

Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship at Birth by a Child Born Abroad “In Wedlock” means a person is considered to be born in wedlock for the purposes of citizenship acquisition when the parents are: Legally married to each other at the time of the person’s conception or birth or within 300 days of the end of the marriage by death or divorce.