united states citizenship

United States citizenship is membership of the United States political system.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

Citizens are:

Able to vote in political elections upon reaching the age of 18.
Able to serve on a jury.
Able to run for political office (only native-born citizens may run for President and Vice President of the United States).
Able to obtain an American passport.
Able to prevent risk of getting deported from the United States.

What Makes Someone a US Citizen?

Native-Born Citizens

Most United States citizens are native-born. Generally, one is born a United States citizen if they are born in the United States or born to United States Citizens.

Birth Within the United States

If you were born in the United States (including, in most cases, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands), you are an American citizen at birth (unless you were born to a foreign diplomat). Your birth certificate is proof of your citizenship.

Through birth abroad to TWO United States citizens

In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of the following are true:

Both your parents were U.S. citizens when you were born
At least one of your parents lived in the United States at some point in their life.

Your record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate or embassy, is proof of your citizenship. You may also apply for a passport to have your citizenship recognized.

Through birth abroad to ONE United States citizen

In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of the following are true:

One of your parents was a U.S. citizen when you were born;
Your citizen parent lived at least 5 years in the United States before you were born; and
At least 2 of these 5 years in the United States were after your citizen parent's 14th birthday (see note below).

Your record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate or embassy, is proof of your citizenship. You may also apply for a passport to have your citizenship recognized. Note: If you were born before November 14, 1986, you are a citizen if your U.S. citizen parent lived in the United States for at least 10 years and 5 of those years in the United States were after your citizen parent's 14th birthday.

Naturalized Citizens

Naturalization is the process by which one becomes a citizen of a country. If you are not a native-born US citizen you may be eligible to become one through naturalization.

Eligibility for Naturalization

To become a naturalized United States citizen, you must be at least 18 years of age, a legal permanent resident of the United States, and have resided in the United States for five years before you apply. You must be a "person of good moral character", and must pass a test on United States history and government. Most applicants must also have a working knowledge of the English language.