Introduction
Becoming a citizen of the United States brings many benefits: the right to vote in federal elections, access to certain government jobs, the ability to sponsor family members, and the security of a U.S. passport.
Yet the path to citizenship can be confusing—especially if English is not your first language or you’re older and new to the process.
This article explains, in plain language, the different ways someone can become a U.S. citizen, the eligibility requirements, the steps you need to take, and tips to help older adults or non-native speakers.
Understanding U.S. Citizenship
Before exploring the paths, it helps to understand what citizenship means—and how it differs from a “green card.”
A green card (lawful permanent residence) lets you live and work permanently in the U.S., but you remain a foreign national.
Citizenship gives you full rights: you can vote in federal elections, hold a U.S. passport, sponsor more family members, and you cannot be deported under normal circumstances.
The Four Main Paths to Citizenship
There are four broad categories—or “paths”—by which someone becomes a U.S. citizen. Many resources list three or five variations, but broadly speaking you can think of them as:
- Citizenship by birth (in the U.S.)
- Citizenship by birth abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s)
- Citizenship by “derivation” (child of a parent who naturalizes)
- Citizenship by naturalization (most common for adult immigrants)
We’ll go through each of these in turn, in plain language, with eligibility criteria, special cases (important for older adults or those whose first language isn’t English), and what you should do next.
1. Citizenship by Birth (in the U.S.)
If you were born on U.S. soil (including the U.S. territories), you are automatically a U.S. citizen under the 14th Amendment.
- Born in the United States or U.S. territory (for example, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Very few exceptions apply (for example, children of foreign diplomats)
If you were born abroad or your parents’ status was unique, check Paths 2 or 3 below for other possibilities.
2. Citizenship by Birth Abroad to U.S. Citizen Parent(s) (Acquisition)
You may have automatically acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if you were born outside the U.S. but one or both of your parents were U.S. citizens at that time.
Key eligibility
- At least one parent was a U.S. citizen when you were born
- The citizen parent lived in the U.S. for a required period before your birth
- Additional requirements depend on your date of birth and the law in effect at that time
Tips for older adults and non-native English speakers
The rules for “acquisition” can be complicated, especially for births decades ago. If you think you may qualify, it can help to get a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) as proof.
If you didn’t meet all requirements at birth, you might still qualify for citizenship through naturalization (Path 4).
What to do: Check your birth date, your parents’ citizenship status, and their time in the U.S. If eligible, file Form N-600 or seek legal guidance.
