Naturalization and citizenship

Naturalization

Naturalization is the process by which a foreign national becomes a U.S. citizen. To be eligible for naturalization, an applicant typically must meet the following requirements:

  • Lawful Permanent Residency: The applicant must have been a lawful permanent resident

  • Physical Presence

  • Good Moral Character

  • English Language Proficiency

  • Civics Test

  • Oath of Allegiance

Through naturalization, immigrants can fully integrate into American society, gaining the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, such as voting in elections, serving on juries, and running for certain public offices.

Citizenship

Citizenship refers to the legal status of being a recognized member of the country, which includes specific rights, responsibilities, and privileges. Most people gain citizenship at birth or through naturalization, but in certain circumstances, persons born abroad may be citizens or gain citizenship through their parents without the need to meet naturalization requirements or without ever being a permanent resident:

  • Derived citizenship occurs when a child automatically becomes a U.S. citizen through their parent’s naturalization. A child under 18 who is a lawful permanent resident can derive U.S. citizenship if at least one parent becomes a U.S. citizen, and the child lives in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of that parent.

  • Acquired citizenship refers to the process by which a person obtains U.S. citizenship after birth, typically through Birth Abroad to U.S. Citizen Parent(s) if their citizen parent meets strict requirements.