American citizenship by descent

American citizenship by descent, also known as citizenship through parentage or acquisition at birth, refers to the acquisition of U.S. citizenship by individuals born outside the United States to U.S. citizen parents.

How to get citizenship by descent in the USA

The general principle of American citizenship by descent is that a child born to at least one U.S. citizen parent automatically acquires U.S. citizenship at birth, regardless of the place of birth. However, specific requirements and conditions must be met for the child to acquire citizenship.

Here are a few scenarios that determine whether a child born abroad to U.S. citizen parents acquires American citizenship at birth:

At least one parent is a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth

• If both parents are U.S. citizens, the child is generally considered a U.S. citizen at birth.
• If only one parent is a U.S. citizen, the child may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if the citizen parent meets certain residency requirements before the child’s birth.

A child born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother:

• If the child is born abroad and out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother, the child may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if the mother meets specific requirements regarding residency.

Documentation and Application

To document and apply for American citizenship by descent, there are several steps you may need to follow. Here is a general overview of the process:

1. Gather necessary documentation. Collect all relevant documents related to your parent’s U.S. citizenship, your birth, and your parent’s connection to the United States. This may include your parent’s U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), naturalization certificate, or other relevant documents.
2. Determine eligibility. Review the specific requirements for acquiring U.S. citizenship by descent based on your situation, such as whether you were born in or out of wedlock and the dates of your birth and your parent’s citizenship status.
3. Complete the appropriate application. The application form will depend on whether you are applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or a U.S. passport. For a CRBA, you will typically complete Form DS-2029 (Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States). If you are applying for a U.S. passport, you will need to complete Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport).
4. Schedule an appointment.
5. Attend the appointment and provide documentation. On the scheduled date, visit the U.S. embassy or consulate for your appointment. Bring all the necessary documentation, including completed application forms, proof of parent’s U.S. citizenship, your birth certificate, and any other supporting documents as required. The consular officer will review your application and documentation.
6. Pay the applicable fees.
7. Await processing. After submitting your application, it will undergo review and processing.
8. Receive the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or U.S. passport. Once your application is approved, you will either receive a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or a U.S. passport, depending on your application. These documents serve as official proof of your American citizenship.

Dual Nationality

The United States recognizes and allows its citizens to have dual nationality. This means that as a U.S. citizen, you are generally allowed to acquire and maintain citizenship of another country without losing your U.S. citizenship.