There are many people out there who are already considered U.S. citizens by virtue of the citizenship of their parents regardless of whether they were born abroad.

It is always a highlight to deliver the good news to someone who wants to adjust their legal status here in the U.S. that they are already a U.S. citizen! It is good news because the applicant is automatically a U.S. citizen and does not need to go through the process of the civics exam or good moral character analysis like a typical naturalization applicant. For this reason, it is important to meet with a qualified immigration attorney who will analyze your family history and the citizenship status of your parents and grandparents.

So, who is already a U.S. citizen? The rules related to acquiring or deriving citizenship from your parents can be tricky and have changed numerous times throughout the past 100 years. Generally speaking, anyone who is born to a parent who is a U.S. citizen at the time of their birth or someone who is a lawful permanent resident and whose parent attains U.S. citizenship before the child’s 18th birthday is automatically a U.S. citizen either at birth or when the parent becomes a U.S. citizen. It is even possible that grandparents can pass on citizenship unknowingly to an applicant’s parents.

An immigration attorney can assist you with applying with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for proof that you are a citizen of the U.S. You do this by filling out and submitting evidence on Form N-600. This application will ensure that you receive a Certificate of Citizenship. On the N-600 you will need to submit detailed information about your parents as it relates to their citizenship, how they obtained permanent residence, and whether you lived in their physical custody at the time that they obtained citizenship.

With Form N-600 you need to submit the following: $1,170 filing fee (always subject to change by USCIS), passport photos, child’s birth certificate, evidence of the parent’s U.S. citizenship, and the U.S. citizen parent’s birth certificate. You may need to submit proof that the parent actually resided in the U.S., U.S. citizen parent’s marriage certificate or divorce decrees, proof of legitimation if a parent is applying and the child was born out of wedlock, proof of legal and/or physical custody of the child, and/or proof of legal adoption. Please call Kasturi Law, LLC at 6303928101 to discuss eligibility and the documentation needed to establish eligibility.