U.S. Citizenship by Action of Law
U.S. Citizenship by Action of Law
Automatically become a U.S. citizen if:
- You have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen, whether by birth or naturalization; and
- You regularly reside in the United States in legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent; and
- You have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (NOTE: If you entered the United States as an adopted child, you must have been admitted as an IR-3 (child adopted outside the United States). If you entered as an IR-4 (child coming to the United States to be adopted), a final adoption must take place for this section of law to apply to you; and
- You have not yet reached your 18th birthday; and
- You are a biological child, you were legitimate, or you were legitimated while in legal custody of your legitimating parent(s) prior to reaching your 16th birthday; or
- You are a biological child born out of wedlock and you have not been legitimate and your mother naturalizes as a U.S. Citizen