Dual Citizenship United States

U.S. citizenship is based primarily upon the principle of jus soli (right of the soil). This means that generally, those born in the U.S. acquire U.S. citizenship.

The U.S. permits dual citizenship.

CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH

The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that everyone who are born in the U.S. are citizens of the U.S. This includes children of parents who are subjects of a foreign power but not in any diplomatic or official capacity of that foreign power, children of parents that are permanent residents in the U.S., and children of parents that are in the U.S. for business. It is assumed that children born to illegal immigrant parents also acquire citizenship if born in the U.S.

If you would like to obtain your Certificate of Citizenship, you can do so with our partners at http://www.immigrationdirect.com/us-citizenship/Replacement-of-Naturalization-Certificate-Citizenship-Form-N-565.jsp?r=idb-referral.

CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

Those born to two U.S. citizen parents that are married are automatically granted citizenship if at least one parent lived in the U.S. prior to the child's birth.

Those born on or after November 14, 1986 to a U.S. citizen parent and a non-U.S. citizen parent are citizens if the parents are married at the time of birth, the citizen parent lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years before the birth of the child, and a minimum of 2 of these 5 years in the U.S. were after the citizen parent's 14^th birthday. For those born between December 24, 1952 and November 14, 1986, the citizen parent must have lived at least 10 years in the U.S. before the child's birth and a minimum of 5 of these 10 years must have been after the citizen parent's 14^th birthday.

For those born to a U.S. citizen mother who was not married at the time of the birth of the child, the child is a U.S. citizen if the mother was physically present in the U.S. or one of its possessions for a continuous period of one year prior to the child's birth.

For those born to a U.S. citizen father who was not married at the time of the birth of the child, the child is a U.S. citizen is a blood relationship between the child and the father is established by clear and convincing evidence, the father was physically present in the U.S. or one of its possessions prior to the child's For those born to a U.S. citizen father who was not married at the time of the birth of the child, the child is a U.S. citizen is a blood relationship between the child and the father is established by clear and convincing evidence, the father was physically present in the U.S. or one of its possessions prior to the child's birth for 5 years, at least 2 of which were after reaching age 14, the father has agreed to provide financial support for the child until he or she turns age 18, and one of the following: the child is legitimated under law, the father acknowledges paternity in writing under oath, or paternity is established by a competent court.

CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION

Those meeting the following requirements may apply for naturalization:

age 18 or over;
be a legal permanent resident and have had that status for 5 years (reduced to 3 years for those married to and living with a citizen spouse for the past 3 years and the spouse has been a citizen for at least 3 years prior to the applicant);
physically present for at least 30 months of 60 months prior to the application;
during the last 60 months, must not have been outside the U.S. for a continuous period of 6 months or more;
be of good moral character;
must pass a test on U.S. history and government;
must have a working knowledge of the English language.

Assistance with naturalization is available through our partners at http://www.immigrationdirect.com/us-citizenship/U-S-Citizenship-application-Form-N-400.jsp.

CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE

Those married to a U.S. citizen spouse may apply for naturalization after 3 years of marriage, so long as you have been a permanent or conditional resident during that time. It is required to stay married to your U.S. citizen spouse through your citizenship interview.

For those who plan to marry a U.S. citizen spouse (either abroad or in the U.S.) and are not yet permanent residents, they may qualify for a fiancé visa and subsequently apply for permanent residency.

Assistance with U.S. citizenship by marriage is available through our partners at www.immigrationdirect.com.

CITIZENSHIP BY ADOPTION

Those minors adopted by a U.S. citizen parent automatically acquire U.S. citizenship pursuant to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.