Guide to Helping Your Child Obtain U.S. Citizenship

Becoming a citizen of the United States is the final step in the immigration journey for individuals who wish to live permanently in the U.S. Citizenship offers numerous benefits, including voting rights, protection from deportation, and freedom to travel. What many people may not realize is that obtaining U.S. citizenship can also help your children gain citizenship. Our immigration attorneys in Miami explain how you can assist your child in becoming a citizen of the United States.

Sponsoring Children for Citizenship

Even if your child was not born in the United States, there is a pathway to help them become a U.S. citizen. If you, as a U.S. citizen, are the parent of a child born in your country of origin, you can establish citizenship for your child after their birth. However, your child must meet certain requirements before you can assist them in obtaining citizenship. Some of these requirements include:

• The child must have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization.

• The child must be a lawful permanent resident under 18 years of age.

• The child is currently residing in or has resided in the United States under the physical custody of the parent, who is a U.S. citizen.
  

Your child must meet all the above-mentioned requirements to qualify for naturalization. If they do, you can apply for a Certificate of Citizenship by completing Form N-600.

What If I Am Not a U.S. Citizen?

If you are not a U.S. citizen, going through the naturalization process can still help your child(ren) become U.S. citizens. To become a citizen through naturalization, you must be at least 18 years old; you must have been a lawful permanent resident for the past three to five years and continue to reside physically in the United States, among other requirements.

If you'd like to learn more about the naturalization process, please reach out to our team today.