National Immigration Law Center

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 33 views

Becoming a United States Citizen: Exploring the Three Main Paths

As a country built by immigrants, the United States has a long history of welcoming people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. For those who wish to call the United States their home, becoming a citizen is a significant milestone. In this article, we will delve into the three main ways people can become United States citizens, providing a comprehensive understanding of the process.

Understanding the Basics of United States Citizenship

Before we dive into the three main paths to citizenship, it's essential to understand the concept of citizenship itself. Citizenship is a fundamental right that grants individuals the privileges and responsibilities of being a member of a country. In the United States, citizenship is a complex process that involves meeting specific requirements and undergoing a rigorous application process.

Path 1: Being Born in the United States

One of the most straightforward ways to become a United States citizen is by being born in the country. Birthright citizenship is a constitutional right that grants citizenship to anyone born within the United States or its territories, regardless of their parents' immigration status. This means that if you were born in the United States, you are automatically a citizen, and you don't need to go through the naturalization process.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, children born to foreign diplomats or government officials may not be considered U.S. citizens, even if they were born in the United States. Additionally, children born to parents who are not U.S. citizens may not be automatically considered U.S. citizens, depending on the circumstances of their birth.

Path 2: Deriving Citizenship

Another way to become a United States citizen is by deriving citizenship from a parent or grandparent who is a U.S. citizen. Derivative citizenship is a process that allows children or grandchildren of U.S. citizens to claim citizenship, even if they were not born in the United States. This can be a complex process, and it's essential to understand the specific requirements and eligibility criteria.

To derive citizenship, you must meet the following requirements:

One of your parents or grandparents must be a U.S. citizen.
You must be under the age of 18 (or under 21 if you are a grandchild).
You must not have been previously naturalized as a citizen of another country.
You must not have been convicted of a crime that would make you ineligible for citizenship.

Path 3: Becoming Naturalized

The final path to becoming a United States citizen is through the naturalization process. Naturalization is the process by which a non-citizen becomes a U.S. citizen, typically after living in the country for a certain period. To become naturalized, you must meet the following requirements:

You must be at least 18 years old.
You must have been a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
You must have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the past 5 years (or 18 months out of the past 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
You must have a good understanding of English and U.S. history and government.
You must be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

The naturalization process typically involves the following steps:

Filing the application: You must submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Biometrics: You must undergo biometric screening, which involves providing fingerprints and other biometric data.
Interview: You must attend an interview with a USCIS officer, during which you will be asked questions about your application and eligibility.
Test: You must take a test on English and U.S. history and government.
Oath of Allegiance: If your application is approved, you will be scheduled to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Conclusion

Becoming a United States citizen is a significant milestone that requires meeting specific requirements and undergoing a rigorous application process. In this article, we have explored the three main paths to citizenship: being born in the United States, deriving citizenship from a parent or grandparent, and becoming naturalized. Whether you are a birthright citizen, a derivative citizen, or a naturalized citizen, being a U.S. citizen comes with a range of privileges and responsibilities that are essential to the fabric of American society.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between a Green Card and citizenship? A: A Green Card is a document that grants you lawful permanent resident status, while citizenship is a constitutional right that grants you full rights and privileges as a U.S. citizen.
Q: Can I become a U.S. citizen if I have a criminal record? A: It depends on the nature and severity of the crime. In some cases, a criminal record may make you ineligible for citizenship.
Q: How long does the naturalization process take? A: The naturalization process can take several months to several years, depending on the complexity of your application and the workload of USCIS.

Additional Resources

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The official website of USCIS provides information on the naturalization process, eligibility requirements, and application forms.
National Immigration Law Center: A non-profit organization that provides information and resources on immigration law and policy.
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS): A government agency that provides information on immigration and naturalization procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions: Becoming a United States Citizen

As we discussed in our previous article, becoming a United States citizen is a significant milestone that requires meeting specific requirements and undergoing a rigorous application process. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a U.S. citizen.

Q: What is the difference between a Green Card and citizenship?

A: A Green Card is a document that grants you lawful permanent resident status, while citizenship is a constitutional right that grants you full rights and privileges as a U.S. citizen. As a Green Card holder, you have many of the same rights as U.S. citizens, but you are not entitled to vote, hold public office, or serve on a jury.

Q: Can I become a U.S. citizen if I have a criminal record?

A: It depends on the nature and severity of the crime. In some cases, a criminal record may make you ineligible for citizenship. For example, if you have been convicted of a crime that involves moral turpitude, such as theft or perjury, you may be ineligible for citizenship. However, if you have been convicted of a minor crime, such as a traffic offense, you may still be eligible for citizenship.

Q: How long does the naturalization process take?

A: The naturalization process can take several months to several years, depending on the complexity of your application and the workload of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). On average, it takes around 6-12 months to process a naturalization application.

Q: What is the English language requirement for naturalization?

A: To become a U.S. citizen, you must demonstrate a good understanding of English. This means that you must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently. You will be required to take a test on English language proficiency as part of the naturalization process.

Q: What is the U.S. history and government requirement for naturalization?

A: To become a U.S. citizen, you must demonstrate a good understanding of U.S. history and government. This means that you must be able to answer questions about the history of the United States, its government, and its institutions. You will be required to take a test on U.S. history and government as part of the naturalization process.

Q: Can I become a U.S. citizen if I am married to a U.S. citizen?

A: Yes, you can become a U.S. citizen if you are married to a U.S. citizen. However, you must meet the eligibility requirements for naturalization, including being at least 18 years old, being a lawful permanent resident for at least 3 years, and demonstrating a good understanding of English and U.S. history and government.

Q: Can I become a U.S. citizen if I am a refugee or asylum seeker?

A: Yes, you can become a U.S. citizen if you are a refugee or asylum seeker. However, you must meet the eligibility requirements for naturalization, including being at least 18 years old, being a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years, and demonstrating a good understanding of English and U.S. history and government.

Q: What is the oath of allegiance to the United States?

A: The oath of allegiance to the United States is a promise to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and to obey the laws of the United States. You will be required to take the oath of allegiance as part of the naturalization process.

Q: Can I become a U.S. citizen if I have been previously deported or removed from the United States?

A: No, you cannot become a U.S. citizen if you have been previously deported or removed from the United States. You must meet the eligibility requirements for naturalization, including being at least 18 years old, being a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years, and demonstrating a good understanding of English and U.S. history and government.

Q: Can I become a U.S. citizen if I am a minor?

A: Yes, you can become a U.S. citizen if you are a minor. However, you must meet the eligibility requirements for naturalization, including being at least 18 years old, being a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years, and demonstrating a good understanding of English and U.S. history and government.

Q: Can I become a U.S. citizen if I am a non-citizen national?

A: Yes, you can become a U.S. citizen if you are a non-citizen national. However, you must meet the eligibility requirements for naturalization, including being at least 18 years old, being a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years, and demonstrating a good understanding of English and U.S. history and government.

Conclusion

Becoming a United States citizen is a significant milestone that requires meeting specific requirements and undergoing a rigorous application process. In this article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a U.S. citizen. Whether you are a birthright citizen, a derivative citizen, or a naturalized citizen, being a U.S. citizen comes with a range of privileges and responsibilities that are essential to the fabric of American society.

Additional Resources

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The official website of USCIS provides information on the naturalization process, eligibility requirements, and application forms.
National Immigration Law Center: A non-profit organization that provides information and resources on immigration law and policy.
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS): A government agency that provides information on immigration and naturalization procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions: Derivative Citizenship

Q: What is derivative citizenship? A: Derivative citizenship is a process that allows children or grandchildren of U.S. citizens to claim citizenship, even if they were not born in the United States.
Q: How do I qualify for derivative citizenship? A: To qualify for derivative citizenship, you must meet the following requirements: one of your parents or grandparents must be a U.S. citizen, you must be under the age of 18 (or under 21 if you are a grandchild), and you must not have been previously naturalized as a citizen of another country.
Q: What is the process for applying for derivative citizenship? A: The process for applying for derivative citizenship typically involves submitting Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Frequently Asked Questions: Birthright Citizenship

Q: What is birthright citizenship? A: Birthright citizenship is a constitutional right that grants citizenship to anyone born within the United States or its territories, regardless of their parents' immigration status.
Q: How do I qualify for birthright citizenship? A: To qualify for birthright citizenship, you must be born within the United States or its territories, and you must meet the eligibility requirements for citizenship.
Q: What is the process for applying for birthright citizenship? A: The process for applying for birthright citizenship typically involves submitting Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).