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NOTE: There is no requirement U.S. Nationals register with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or carry any documentation. CHILD CITIZENSHIP ACT OF 2000: Beginning February 27, 2001, the ‘Child Citizenship Act of 2000’ allows children who are born abroad including children adopted from a foreign country to acquire citizenship automatically. All of the following conditions must be met: 1. At least one parent of the child is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization; and, 2. The child is under the age of 18 years; and, 3. The child is a lawful and permanent resident residing in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent; and, 4. The adoption is final, if the child is adopted. Once all of the above conditions have been met on or after February 27, 2001, citizenship is granted without further action required on the part of the family or government. When citizenship has been granted, it does not go away even if any of the above conditions no longer continues to be met (e.g., child turns 18 after 02/27/01). NATURALIZATION: People who are not U.S. citizens by birth may acquire citizenship by naturalization. Aliens do not become citizens simply by marrying a U.S. citizen, but spouses can apply for naturalization and, if eligible, become citizens through the court. In some instances, alien children become U.S. citizens when a parent is naturalized. These children might have their own separate naturalization records or papers. If so, their citizenship can be verified the same as an adult; if not, the situation is referred through the USCIS status verifier. NOTE: These children may qualify through the ‘Child Citizen Act of 2000’. Citizenship acquired by naturalization can be verified in the county where naturalization occurred. Each county Clerk of Court has an index of all individuals naturalized in the county. If the person’s record cannot be located or the county of naturalization is not known, verification can be obtained from USCIS who maintains an index of all naturalized individuals. DERIVATIVE CITIZENSHIP: Children can derive citizenship from their parent(s). For example, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen might acquire foreign citizenship depending on the laws of that country, but the child might also claim U.S. citizenship. Refer the individual to USCIS to complete the necessary paperwork and provide status verification. NOTE: These children may qualify through the ‘Child Citizen Act of 2000’. PERSON BORN ABROAD: There are many legal considerations in determining the citizenship of a person born abroad. In the absence of verification, these situations are referred for determination through the USCIS status verifier. NOTE: These individuals may qualify through the ‘Child Citizen Act of 2000’. FOREIGN ADOPTION BY U.S. CITIZEN: