U.S. Citizenship Chart 1
Use this chart to help determine whether you acquired U.S. citizenship at birth.
PERIOD | PARENTS | U.S. CITIZEN PARENT | CHILD |
STEP ONE: Determine period in which child was born | STEP TWO: Determine citizenship of the parents at the time of child’s birth | STEP THREE: Determine if residence requirement was met prior to the birth of the child. If yes, the child was a U.S. citizen at birth. | STEP FOUR: Determine if child has lost U.S. citizenship. The child lost on the date it became impossible to meet the retention requirements |
Prior to 5/24/34 | Either parent a USC | US citizen had resided in the US | NONE |
On/after 5/24/34 and prior to 1/13/41 | Both USCs | US citizen had resided in the US | NONE |
One USC and one alien | US citizen had resided in the US | 5 years residence in the US or its OLP between ages 13 and 21. (Must start before age 16.) | |
On/after 1/13/41 and prior to 12/24/52 | One USC and one alien | USC had resided in the US or OLP for 10 years, at least 5 of which were after age 16. EXCEPTIONS for honorable service in US Armed Forces: 1. Between 12/7/41 & 12/31/46, 5 of the required 10 years must have been after age 12. 2. Between 1/1/47 & 12/24/52, 10 years physical presence, at least 5 of which were after age 14. | OR ** 2 years continuous physical presence in US between ages of 14 and 28. (Must start before age 26.) OR ** NONE, if at time of child’s birth, USC parent was employed by the US Government or a specified US organization . does not apply if parent used an exception. |
Both USCs | One had resided in the US or OLP | NONE | |
On/after 12/24/52 and prior to 11/14/86 | Both USCs | One had resided in the US or OLP | NONE |
One USC and one alien | USC physically present in US or OLP 10 years, at least 5 after age 14. | NONE | |
On/after 11/14/86 | Both USCs | One had resided in the US or OLP | NONE |
One USC and one alien | USC physically present in US or OLP 5 years, at least 2 after the age of 14. | NONE |