Becoming a U.S. citizen is a rewarding experience that offers many benefits, such as the right to vote, serve on a jury, and hold certain government jobs. If you’re not a U.S. citizen but would like to become one, you may be wondering what the process entails.

In general, there are four ways to become a U.S. citizen: through birth, by derivation, by acquisition, or by naturalization. Keep reading to learn more about each of these methods.

Citizenship Through Birth

You may already be a U.S. citizen and not even know it if you were born in the United States or certain U.S. territories. If you’re not sure whether this applies to you, consider the following questions:

  • Were you born in the United States or one of its territories?

Citizenship through birth also applies if you were born on a U.S. military base abroad or to a parent who was employed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies at the time of your birth.

  • Were either of your parents a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth?

In some cases, even if you were not born in the United States, you may still be considered a U.S. citizen if one of your parents was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth.

  • Are you a child born outside of wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother?

If you were born outside of wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother, you might still be considered a U.S. citizen if certain other requirements are met.

If you’re not sure whether you qualify for citizenship through birth, it’s best to consult with an experienced immigration attorney who can review your individual situation and advise you on your next steps.

Citizenship Through Derivation

You may also be able to derive U.S. citizenship from one of your parents if they became a naturalized U.S. citizen after you were born. In order to qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be under the age of 18 when your parent became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
  • You must be a permanent resident of the United States at the time your parent became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
  • You must have resided in the United States continuously since your parent’s naturalization ceremony.

If you meet all of these requirements, you may be able to derive citizenship from your parent and become a naturalized U.S. citizen yourself without having to go through the naturalization process. However, it’s important to note that if you’re over the age of 18 when your parent becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen, you will not be able to derive citizenship and will instead need to go through the naturalization process yourself if you wish to become a U.S. citizen.

Citizenship Through Acquisition

You may also be able to acquire U.S. citizenship if you were born outside of the United States to one or more U.S. citizens. In order to qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must have been born outside of the United States to one or more parent who was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth.
  • You must have resided in the United States continuously since birth.
  • You must meet all other requirements for naturalization, including passing a civics and English test and demonstrating good moral character.

If you were born outside of the United States to one or more U.S. citizens, you may already be a U.S. citizen and may only need to go through the process of obtaining a U.S. passport in order to enjoy all the benefits that come with citizenship.

Citizenship Through Naturalization

If you were not born in the United States and do not qualify for citizenship through any of the other methods described above, you may still be able to become a U.S. citizen through the process of naturalization. In order to qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be at least 18 years old at the time of filing your application for naturalization.
  • You must be a permanent resident of the United States for a period of time
  • You must have resided in the state or USCIS district where you’re applying for a minimum length
  • You must be able to demonstrate good moral character.
  • You must be able to pass a civics and English test.

If you meet all of these requirements, you may be eligible to become a U.S. citizen through the process of naturalization. Naturalization is a lengthy and complex process, so it’s important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney who can guide you through the process and ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements. Call us today at (720) 802-2705 to learn more about your legal options and ways we can help.