How to Claim American Citizenship

U.S. citizenship can be claimed either through blood or naturalization.

There are multiple situations in which you can claim the right to U.S. citizenship, whether at birth through a U.S. citizen parent, as a child or adult through U.S. citizen parents, or as a permanent resident who has fulfilled all of the requirements to qualify legally for citizenship. All claims require the submission of multiple documents, fees and supporting evidence. If you are not sure whether you qualify for U.S. citizenship, speak to a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) representative or an immigration attorney.

Instructions

Through the U.S. Consulate

1. Download, print and complete DS-2029 Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad and DS-5507 Affidavit of Parentage, either from the website of a U.S. Consulate abroad or from the United States Department of State.

2. Compile the appropriate supporting documents. Along with the application form, gather the child's foreign birth certificate, passports of both parents, citizen certificate or birth certificate of the U.S. citizen parent, and marriage and any death certificates. If the child is born out of wedlock, proof must be presented to show paternity.

3. Make an online appointment with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in the nation you reside in. Make the appointment as close after the birth as possible to avoid possible complications. After the report of birth is accepted, the child receives an U.S. birth certificate which is proof of citizenship.

Through the USCIS

1. Download Form N-600 from the USCIS website. If you are under the age of 18, or applying for someone who is, download Form N-600K.

2. Compile the necessary documents. N-600 and N-600K each require a separate list of documents which can be found at the USCIS website in detail. Both applications require two identical passport photos, self-identification and identification of parental claim to U.S. citizenship. All documents must be translated into English by a certified public translator.

3. Send the application, documents and $460 application fee to the appropriate USCIS filing center. Consult the USCIS website to locate the filing center that has jurisdiction over your state of residence.

Through Naturalization

1. Qualify for an immigrant visa. To be eligible for U.S. citizenship, you must be a legal permanent resident in the United States---that is, you must have a green card. To legally obtain a green card, you must enter the United States on the appropriate visa. There are three basic avenues for obtaining a green card; through family, including spouses and fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens; through work; or as a refugee or asylee.

2. Fulfill the required residency period. Before applying for citizenship, a green card holder must fulfill five years---three years for those who entered as a spouse or fiancé(e) of an U.S. citizen---of continual residency. During the residency period, a Legal Permanent Resident, known as an LPR, cannot leave the United States for periods greater than one year without obtaining both a reentry permit, Form I-131 Application for Travel Document, and N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes.

3. Submit Form N-400 Application for Naturalization to the USCIS. The application form can be found on the website, and it must be accompanied by two identical color passport-size photos with your Alien Registration Number and full name written on the back in pencil, a photocopy of both sides of your green card and the application fee of $675 in the form of check or money order made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Application packets must be mailed to either the Dallas, TX or Phoenix, AZ filing centers depending on your location of residence.

4. Attend the citizenship application interview. When your application is approved, you will be contacted by the USCIS as to where and when to attend your interview. All applicants must submit to a digital fingerprint scanning known as biometrics as well as complete exams in both the English language and U.S. civics. You must pass both in order to obtain citizenship.

References

• USDS: Application for a Consular Report of Birth
• USCIS: N-600
• USCIS: N-600K
• USCIS: Citizenship Through Naturalization

Resources

• USCIS: N-600 Instructions
• USCIS: N-600K Instructions