Do you’ve got dad and mom who’re U.S. residents or everlasting residents, and also you’re over the age of 21? In that case, it’s possible you’ll be eligible for citizenship by way of your dad and mom. This text will give you detailed details about the method and the necessities you’ll want to meet.
U.S. immigration regulation permits kids born to U.S. citizen dad and mom to turn into U.S. residents routinely at delivery, no matter the place they’re born. Nevertheless, if you happen to had been born exterior the US to folks who’re everlasting residents, you will have to use for citizenship after you flip 21.
Earlier than we dive into the specifics of the appliance course of, let’s take a better have a look at the eligibility standards you have to meet to qualify for citizenship by way of dad and mom after 21.
citizenship by way of dad and mom after 21
To be eligible, you have to meet particular necessities. Listed here are 8 necessary factors to recollect:
- Be 21 years or older
- Have a U.S. citizen guardian
- Be a everlasting resident
- Have resided within the U.S. for five years
- Be bodily current within the U.S. for 30 months
- Be capable of learn, write, and communicate English
- Have good ethical character
- Move the civics and historical past check
By assembly these necessities, you may apply for citizenship by way of your dad and mom after reaching the age of 21.
Be 21 years or older
One of many elementary necessities for acquiring citizenship by way of dad and mom after 21 is reaching the age of 21. This age requirement is strictly enforced by U.S. immigration authorities.
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Be 21 on the date of submitting:
If you submit your utility for citizenship, you should be at the least 21 years previous on the date of submitting. Which means you have to have reached your twenty first birthday or turned 21 on or earlier than the day you file your utility.
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No exceptions for minors:
There aren’t any exceptions to this age requirement. Even in case you are a minor and have U.S. citizen dad and mom, you can’t apply for citizenship till you flip 21.
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Emancipation doesn’t matter:
Emancipation, which is a authorized course of that enables minors to turn into legally unbiased, doesn’t have an effect on the age requirement for citizenship. Even in case you are emancipated, you have to nonetheless be 21 years previous to use for citizenship.
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Residency and bodily presence necessities:
When you should be 21 years previous to use, the residency and bodily presence necessities for citizenship begin accruing from the age of 14. Which means you have to have been a everlasting resident for at the least 5 years and bodily current within the U.S. for at the least 30 months, with steady residency and bodily presence because the age of 14.
Fulfilling the age requirement is essential as a result of it demonstrates that you’ve reached the authorized age of maturity and are able to assuming the rights and duties of U.S. citizenship.
Have a U.S. citizen guardian
A elementary requirement for acquiring citizenship by way of dad and mom after 21 is having at the least one guardian who’s a U.S. citizen. Which means your guardian should have been born in the US, acquired citizenship by way of naturalization, or derived citizenship by way of a U.S. citizen guardian.
There are two predominant situations the place you may apply for citizenship by way of a U.S. citizen guardian after the age of 21:
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Dad and mom had been U.S. residents on the time of your delivery:
If each of your dad and mom had been U.S. residents on the time of your delivery, you might be thought of a “little one of a U.S. citizen” and are eligible to use for citizenship after turning 21, even if you happen to had been born exterior the US. -
Dad and mom naturalized earlier than your 18th birthday:
If at the least one in all your dad and mom naturalized as a U.S. citizen earlier than you turned 18 years previous, it’s possible you’ll be eligible for citizenship by way of them. On this case, you have to have been residing in the US in lawful everlasting resident standing on the time of your guardian’s naturalization.
It is necessary to notice that in case your U.S. citizen guardian(s) misplaced their citizenship earlier than you turned 18, you is probably not eligible for citizenship by way of them. Moreover, if you happen to had been adopted by U.S. residents after the age of 16, you aren’t eligible for citizenship by way of adoptive dad and mom.
To show that you’ve a U.S. citizen guardian, you will have to submit proof equivalent to your dad and mom’ delivery certificates, naturalization certificates, or your adoption decree (if relevant).
Having a U.S. citizen guardian is a vital requirement as a result of it establishes your connection to the US and demonstrates your eligibility for citizenship.
Be a everlasting resident
To be eligible for citizenship by way of dad and mom after 21, you have to have everlasting resident standing in the US. Which means you’ve got been granted a “inexperienced card,” which is an official doc that means that you can dwell and work completely within the U.S.
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Acquire a inexperienced card:
If you don’t have already got a inexperienced card, you will have to use for one by way of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS). There are a number of methods to acquire a inexperienced card, together with by way of household sponsorship, employment, or different classes.
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Preserve everlasting resident standing:
After getting obtained a inexperienced card, you have to keep your everlasting resident standing by following all the necessities, equivalent to paying taxes, submitting annual inexperienced card renewal purposes, and avoiding any actions that will jeopardize your standing.
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Reside within the U.S. for five years:
To be eligible for citizenship, you have to have resided in the US as a everlasting resident for at the least 5 years. This 5-year interval is calculated from the date you had been granted everlasting resident standing.
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Steady residency:
The 5-year residency requirement should be steady, that means that you simply can’t depart the US for prolonged durations. Absences from the U.S. for greater than 6 months at a time might interrupt your steady residency and have an effect on your eligibility for citizenship.
Being a everlasting resident demonstrates your dedication to the US and your intention to make it your everlasting house, which is a key requirement for changing into a U.S. citizen.
Have resided within the U.S. for five years
One of many important necessities for citizenship by way of dad and mom after 21 is residing in the US as a everlasting resident for a steady interval of at the least 5 years. This 5-year residency requirement is strictly enforced by U.S. immigration authorities and is calculated from the date you had been granted everlasting resident standing.
To meet the 5-year residency requirement, you have to:
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Preserve a bodily presence within the U.S.:
You should be bodily current in the US for at the least half of the 5-year interval. Which means you can’t be absent from the U.S. for greater than 6 months at a time or a complete of greater than 180 days throughout the 5-year interval. -
Preserve steady residency:
Your residency should be steady, that means that you simply can’t interrupt your everlasting resident standing by leaving the U.S. for an prolonged interval. In case you depart the U.S. for greater than 6 months at a time, your steady residency shall be damaged, and it’s possible you’ll want to start out the 5-year residency interval once more. -
Exceptions to the 5-year residency requirement:
There are just a few exceptions to the 5-year residency requirement. For instance, in case you are married to a U.S. citizen, it’s possible you’ll be eligible to use for citizenship after solely 3 years of everlasting residency. Moreover, if you happen to served within the U.S. navy, it’s possible you’ll be eligible for naturalization after just one yr of everlasting residency.
Fulfilling the 5-year residency requirement demonstrates your dedication to the US and your intention to make it your everlasting house. It additionally ensures that you’ve had enough time to find out about American historical past, authorities, and values.
By assembly the 5-year residency requirement, you are taking a major step in direction of changing into a U.S. citizen and having fun with the complete rights and privileges that include citizenship.
Be bodily current within the U.S. for 30 months
Along with the 5-year residency requirement, you have to even be bodily current in the US for at the least 30 months out of the 5-year interval. Which means you should be bodily residing within the U.S. for a complete of two.5 years throughout the 5-year residency interval.
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Calculate bodily presence:
To calculate your bodily presence, you’ll want to rely the times you had been bodily current in the US throughout the 5-year residency interval. You should utilize a calendar or a bodily presence calculator that can assist you preserve monitor of the times.
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Quick absences allowed:
You might be allowed to have brief absences from the US throughout the 5-year interval. Nevertheless, every absence can’t exceed 6 months, and the overall of all absences can’t exceed 180 days.
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Exceptions to the bodily presence requirement:
There are just a few exceptions to the bodily presence requirement. For instance, in case you are married to a U.S. citizen or serving within the U.S. navy, it’s possible you’ll be eligible for a waiver of the bodily presence requirement.
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Doc your bodily presence:
You will need to preserve data of your bodily presence in the US. This will embody issues like pay stubs, financial institution statements, utility payments, and journey paperwork.
Fulfilling the bodily presence requirement demonstrates your dedication to dwelling in the US and your intention to make it your everlasting house.
Be capable of learn, write, and communicate English
To turn into a U.S. citizen by way of dad and mom after 21, you have to be capable to learn, write, and communicate English. This requirement demonstrates your potential to speak successfully within the English language and your understanding of American historical past, authorities, and values.
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English proficiency check:
You have to to move an English proficiency check to display your potential to learn, write, and communicate English. The check is run by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS) and consists of two components: a studying and writing check and a talking and listening check.
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Exemptions from the English proficiency requirement:
There are just a few exemptions to the English proficiency requirement. For instance, in case you are over 50 years previous and have been a lawful everlasting resident for at the least 20 years, it’s possible you’ll be exempt from the English check.
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Put together for the English proficiency check:
There are lots of sources accessible that can assist you put together for the English proficiency check. You may take English courses, use on-line studying instruments, or research with a tutor.
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Follow talking and listening:
To enhance your talking and listening expertise, attempt to follow talking English with native audio system or watching English-language films and TV exhibits.
Fulfilling the English proficiency requirement exhibits that you’ve the language expertise essential to take part absolutely in American society and to train your rights and duties as a U.S. citizen.
Have good ethical character
One of many important necessities for citizenship by way of dad and mom after 21 is demonstrating good ethical character. Which means you have to have status and haven’t engaged in any actions that will mirror poorly in your character or make you a risk to the US.
To evaluate your ethical character, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS) will think about a wide range of components, together with:
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Felony historical past:
Any legal convictions, arrests, or pending legal expenses might negatively affect your ethical character evaluation. Even when you weren’t convicted of against the law, an arrest or cost can increase issues about your character.
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Immigration violations:
Violating U.S. immigration legal guidelines, equivalent to overstaying a visa or working with out authorization, may have an effect on your ethical character evaluation.
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Monetary duty:
USCIS will think about your monetary historical past, together with any bankruptcies, money owed, or tax liens. A historical past of monetary irresponsibility might increase issues about your potential to assist your self and your loved ones as a U.S. citizen.
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Employment historical past:
USCIS will have a look at your employment historical past to evaluate your work ethic and stability. Frequent job modifications or a historical past of unemployment might increase issues about your reliability.
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Navy service:
A historical past of honorable navy service within the U.S. armed forces is taken into account a optimistic consider assessing ethical character.
You will need to notice {that a} single incident or occasion is not going to essentially disqualify you from demonstrating good ethical character. USCIS will think about the totality of your circumstances and decide based mostly on all of the accessible proof.
Demonstrating good ethical character is essential as a result of it exhibits that you’re a law-abiding, accountable, and reliable particular person who will uphold the values and ideas of the US as a citizen.
Move the civics and historical past check
To turn into a U.S. citizen by way of dad and mom after 21, you have to move a civics and historical past check. This check is designed to evaluate your data of U.S. historical past, authorities, and values. Passing the check demonstrates that you’ve a fundamental understanding of the rights and duties of U.S. citizenship.
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Take a look at format:
The civics and historical past check consists of 100 questions. You need to appropriately reply at the least 60 of those inquiries to move the check. The questions cowl a variety of subjects, together with American historical past, authorities, and civics.
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Research supplies:
USCIS offers a listing of research supplies that you need to use to arrange for the check. These supplies can be found on-line and at native public libraries.
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Follow exams:
There are lots of follow exams accessible on-line and in books that may show you how to put together for the civics and historical past check.
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Take a look at administration:
The civics and historical past check is run by USCIS officers at naturalization ceremonies. You’ll be given a written check, and you will have to reply the questions orally in entrance of a USCIS officer.
Passing the civics and historical past check is a major step in direction of changing into a U.S. citizen. It demonstrates your data of American historical past, authorities, and values, and it exhibits that you’re dedicated to changing into a accountable and knowledgeable citizen.
FAQ
In case you’re a guardian with a toddler over the age of 21 who was born exterior the US to a U.S. citizen guardian, you might have questions on their eligibility for citizenship. Listed here are some regularly requested questions and solutions that can assist you perceive the method:
Query 1: Is my little one eligible for citizenship by way of me?
Reply 1: Sure, in case you are a U.S. citizen guardian and your little one was born exterior the US, your little one is eligible to use for citizenship after turning 21 years previous. Nevertheless, there are specific necessities that your little one should meet, equivalent to residing within the U.S. as a everlasting resident for at the least 5 years and being bodily current within the U.S. for at the least 30 months throughout that point.
Query 2: What paperwork do my little one want to use for citizenship?
Reply 2: Your little one might want to submit numerous paperwork to use for citizenship, together with their delivery certificates, proof of U.S. citizenship for the guardian (equivalent to a U.S. passport or delivery certificates), proof of everlasting resident standing (equivalent to a inexperienced card), and proof of residency and bodily presence in the US.
Query 3: How lengthy does the citizenship course of take?
Reply 3: The citizenship course of can take a number of months and even years, relying on the workload of the USCIS workplace dealing with the appliance. As soon as your little one submits their utility, they may obtain a receipt discover with a case quantity. They’ll use this case quantity to trace the standing of their utility on-line.
Query 4: Can my little one apply for citizenship whereas dwelling exterior the US?
Reply 4: No, your little one should be residing in the US as a everlasting resident to use for citizenship. They can not apply for citizenship whereas dwelling overseas.
Query 5: What occurs after my little one applies for citizenship?
Reply 5: After your little one submits their citizenship utility, they are going to be scheduled for a biometrics appointment, the place they may have their fingerprints and {photograph} taken. They may even be scheduled for a citizenship interview, the place they are going to be requested questions on their utility and their understanding of U.S. historical past and authorities.
Query 6: What if my kid’s citizenship utility is denied?
Reply 6: In case your kid’s citizenship utility is denied, they may obtain a written rationalization from USCIS stating the explanations for the denial. They are able to attraction the choice or reapply for citizenship after addressing the problems that led to the denial.
In case you have extra questions on citizenship by way of dad and mom after 21, you may seek the advice of an immigration lawyer or go to the USCIS web site for extra data.
Along with understanding the eligibility necessities and utility course of, listed here are some suggestions to assist your little one efficiently apply for citizenship by way of you:
Ideas
Listed here are some sensible suggestions to assist your little one efficiently apply for citizenship by way of you:
Tip 1: Begin the method early.
The citizenship course of can take a number of months and even years, so it is necessary to start out the method as early as potential. It will give your little one loads of time to collect the mandatory paperwork, research for the civics and historical past check, and put together for the citizenship interview.
Tip 2: Assist your little one collect the mandatory paperwork.
Your little one might want to submit numerous paperwork to use for citizenship, together with their delivery certificates, proof of U.S. citizenship for the guardian (equivalent to a U.S. passport or delivery certificates), proof of everlasting resident standing (equivalent to a inexperienced card), and proof of residency and bodily presence in the US. Assist your little one collect these paperwork nicely upfront to keep away from any delays within the utility course of.
Tip 3: Encourage your little one to check for the civics and historical past check.
Your little one might want to move a civics and historical past check as a part of the citizenship utility course of. The check covers a variety of subjects, together with American historical past, authorities, and civics. Encourage your little one to start out learning for the check early and to make use of the research supplies supplied by USCIS.
Tip 4: Accompany your little one to the citizenship interview.
Your little one shall be required to attend a citizenship interview as a part of the appliance course of. You may accompany your little one to the interview to offer ethical assist and reply any questions that the USCIS officer might have about your kid’s household background or residency historical past.
By following the following tips, you may assist your little one enhance their probabilities of efficiently making use of for citizenship by way of you.
Bear in mind, acquiring citizenship is a major milestone in your kid’s life, and your assist and steering could make a giant distinction in serving to them obtain this purpose.
Conclusion
As a guardian, you play an important position in serving to your little one acquire citizenship by way of you after they flip 21. By understanding the eligibility necessities, gathering the mandatory paperwork, and offering assist and steering all through the method, you may assist your little one efficiently navigate the trail to U.S. citizenship.
Bear in mind, citizenship is a treasured present that opens up a world of alternatives on your little one. It permits them to totally take part in American society, pursue their desires, and contribute to the nation’s progress. As you embark on this journey collectively, have fun the distinctive bond you share and the shared future that awaits you as a U.S. citizen household.
