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Routes to Citizenship

Explore Routes to U.S. Citizenship

There are several ways that a person can become a US Citizen. Naturalization is just one of the many routes you could take. Below are a list of other ways to achieve citizenship in the United States.

The 14th Amendment Guarantees that a person born in the USA is a US citizen at birth. This applies to everyone except certain children of diplomats and some people born in certain US territories or possessions. President Trump is trying to challenge this, but at OneAmerica, we predict he will lose. Any change to the constitution requires a constitutional amendment.

Are you a citizen already and may not know it? Some people born abroad to one or both US citizen parents may already be a US citizen at the time of their birth. This will depend upon:

  • The year of your birth
  • Whether one or both parents were US citizens at the time of your birth
  • Whether your parents were married or not at the time of your birth (different rules for each)
  • Whether your parent lived in the US, its territories or possessions, or served in the US military abroad, or was physically present in the US during certain qualifying period
    • You should gather up all this information and bring it to an immigration attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative for analysis since there are many different laws in this area that depend upon all the dates above. It helps to make a family tree as well.
    • If it turns out you are a US citizen in this case, then you can file directly for a US passport and/or a Certificate of Citizenship (not naturalization).
  • There are special rules around children born abroad to US citizen parents where the child was conceived through Artificial Reproductive Technology

Are you the child of a US citizen who naturalized while you were/are under 18 and had a green card and was living with your US citizen parent when they naturalized? If yes, you could be a “derivative citizen.” You will not need to naturalize. You can apply for a US Passport and/or a Certificate of Citizenship with proof of your green card and parent’s naturalization certificate, and proof of your relationship.

Contact a local organization to see if they can offer assistance with this process. Visit our Find Services page to find organizations near you.

Are you currently in the US military or are you a veteran? You may be entitled to special accommodations for naturalization. Contact a local organization to see if they can offer assistance with this process. Visit our Find Services page to find organizations near you.

Naturalization is the process by which a green card holder (lawful permanent resident) voluntarily steps forward to apply for US citizenship. See our pages on the Path to Naturalization and the requirements for naturalization and the process to become a US citizen to learn more. Note that some US nationals may also need to naturalize.