Citizenship and Births Abroad

U.S. citizenship acquisition

Except for the children of diplomats accredited to the U.S. government, persons born in the United States are U.S. citizens at birth. 

A person born outside the United States usually acquires U.S. citizenship at birth if both parents were U.S. citizens at the time of the child’s birth.

A person born outside the United States may acquire U.S. citizenship if at least one parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth and the U.S. citizen parent had resided in the U.S. for a required period of time prior to the child's birth.

A person may obtain U.S. citizenship by immigrating to the United States and applying for naturalization after residing in the U.S. as a legal permanent resident for a minimum required period of time (usually five years). 

A person cannot acquire automatically U.S. citizenship through U.S. citizen grandparents or other U.S. citizen relatives.  However, there are some other options for minors under age 18.  Please consult with the Consular Section Monday thru Friday from 10 am to 2 pm.

In order to obtain a birth certificate you must shedule an appointment on-line through the internet. To schedule an appointment, please click HERE.