The Path to Become an American
Cobblestone American History Magazine for Kids|May/June 2023
In 2021, about 3.6 million babies were born in the United States. Just that act alone-being born in this country-gave those babies automatic U.S. citizenship, even if their parents were not U.S. citizens.
Sherrill Kushner
The Path to Become an American

Yet people not born in the United States can still obtain citizenship. It is, however, a more complicated process.

It's Automatic

A child born outside the United States still is considered a citizen if at the time of birth:

Both parents are U.S. citizens and at least one parent lived in the United States before the child's birth. For example, if a child was born in Argentina, but both parents were U.S. citizens when he was born and his mother lived in the United States before his birth, then the child is a U.S. citizen.

Only one parent is a U.S. citizen and that parent lived in this country for at least five years before the child's birth, two of which were after age 14. So, if a child's father was the only parent with U.S. citizenship and he had lived in the United States the required amount of time before the child's birth, the child would be a U.S. citizen.

The Green Light

Someone born outside the United States (or outside a U.S. territory such as Guam or Puerto Rico) whose parents are not U.S. citizens must become a legal permanent resident before applying for citizenship. This is often called having a "green card." The most common ways to get legal permanent residency are:

A close relative (parent, adult child, spouse, or sibling) who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident applies for, or sponsors, the person.

An American employer applies for the person because the person has the skills and education for a job that the employer wants to fill but for which he or she cannot find any Americans able and available.

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