Citizenship Claims

Transmission Requirements

For applicants born:

• Before January 13, 1941: U.S. citizen parent's physical presence in the U.S. anytime before the applicant's birth.
  
• Between January 13, 1941, and July 3, 1946: U.S. citizen parent's physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possession any time before the applicant's birth.
  
• Between July 4, 1946, and December 23, 1952: U.S. citizen parent's cumulative physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possession for ten years, five after the citizen parent's 16th birthday and before the applicant's birth.
  
• Between December 24, 1952, and November 14, 1986: U.S. citizen parent's cumulative physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for 10 years, five after the citizen parent's 14th birthday and before the applicant's birth.
  
• On or after November 14, 1986: U.S. citizen parent's cumulative physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for five years, two after the citizen parent's 14th birthday and before the applicant's birth.
  
• Out of wedlock to U.S. citizen mother: U.S. citizen mother's continuous physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possession for one year before the applicant's birth.
  
• Children born out of wed-lock to a U.S. citizen father must be legally legitimated.

The derivative claim to U.S. citizenship of an applicant depends on the existence of a legal and blood relationship between the applicant and the U.S. citizen parent(s). Therefore, adopted children do not acquire citizenship automatically upon adoption. However, they may be eligible for citizenship through naturalization pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence.

Please see the Department of State's International Adoption page or Child Citizenship Act of 2000 for further information.