Becoming a United States citizen is an honor and a responsibility. If you are looking to become a U.S. citizen and you believe you qualify, you can depend on a U.S. citizenship & naturalization lawyer from our firm to guide you through each step of the process ahead. We are here to put our U.S. immigration legal services to work for you. Contact Lightman Law Firm today so we can get started.
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You may obtain United States citizenship either through birth or through naturalization. In fact, some people unknowingly are already United States citizens based on their birth to a United States citizen parent or parents, depending on various circumstances.
Citizenship through birth in the United States
Under the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, all persons born within the territory of the United States are citizens.
This rule, based on the Latin phrase “jus soli”, grants United States citizenship in almost all cases to individuals born within the borders of the United States. Some exceptions include the children of embassy personnel and representatives to the United Nations, depending on the details of the case. The borders of the United States include all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands.
In addition, there are other circumstances where one’s birth may have occurred within the borders of the United States.
Birth outside the United States to United States citizen parents
Although not provided under the Constitution, current United States law provides for an individual to obtain citizenship through his/her parents’ status as United States citizens at the time of the individual’s birth in some circumstances.
This method of obtaining United States citizenship is based on an individual’s bloodline and is known by the Latin phrase “jus sanguinis”. Generally speaking, an individual born outside the United States may be a United States citizen at birth if either or both of his or her parents were United States citizens at birth.
However, there are many variables to take into account in determining whether or not an individual has been granted United States citizenship through his or her parents at birth. Some of the variables to take into account are the individual’s date of birth, whether one or both parents were United States citizens at the individual’s birth and the prior United States residency status of the United States parent/s before the individual’s birth.
Naturalization
Unlike the citizenship processes discussed above, naturalization is the process of obtaining citizenship after birth. Some of the requirements for an applicant to obtain United States citizenship through naturalization are as follows:
- must be legally competent and have reached the age of 18 years;
- must have the minimum ability to speak English and have minimal knowledge of United States history;
- must have “good moral character”‘;
- must have been admitted for permanent residence in the United States;
- has satisfied a five-year residence requirement and of those five years has been a resident in the state or district where the application is filed for at least three months;
- makes an oath of allegiance to the United States; and
- demonstrates an attachment to the United States Constitution and favorable disposition to the good order and happiness of the United States.
Derivation of United States citizenship through the naturalization of a parent
Under certain circumstances, an individual may automatically obtain United States citizenship when one or both parents become naturalized United States citizens.
This method of obtaining United States citizenship is automatic and is often referred to as “automatic naturalization” since the benefiting child does not have to participate in any sort of naturalization ceremony.
However, the rules vary for the derivation of United States citizenship through the naturalization of one’s parents. When evaluating whether or not “automatic naturalization” occurred, one must take into consideration various circumstances, such as the time period of when the parents were naturalized and the child’s age and marital status at the time of the parents’ naturalization.
All circumstances and aspects of the situation need to be carefully evaluated.
Obtaining proof of United States citizenship
In order to establish a legitimate claim to United States citizenship, you must apply for and receive a document confirming your status as a United States citizen. There are several types of documents that will be recognized as proof of United States citizenship.
They are as follows:
- United States passport;
- certificate of citizenship; or
- certificate of consular registration at birth.
Contact a U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization Lawyer
Anyone looking to become a United States citizen simply should not proceed without a competent and experienced U.S. citizenship & naturalization lawyer in their corner. Contact Lightman Law Firm today to schedule your initial consultation with our legal team.
