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If eligible, one can “acquire” or “derive” U.S. citizenship through a qualifying U.S. citizen parent(s). Whether someone born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents is a U.S. citizen depends on the law in effect when the person was born.
These laws have changed over the years, but usually require a combination of at least one parent being a U.S. citizen when the child was born and having lived in the U.S. or its possessions for a period of time. Additionally, children born outside the United States may become citizens after birth based on their parent’s citizenship or naturalization.

Children Born Abroad in Wedlock

If a child born abroad has two US citizen parents, the child is automatically a US citizen provided that the parents are legally married and at least one has previously had a residence in the US prior to the child’s birth.

It gets more complicated if the child born abroad has only one US citizen parent. If the parents are married, the child born abroad gets citizenship at birth only if the US citizen parent was present in the United States for a certain amount of time before the child was born — generally five years total, with two years of residence after the age of 14.
Children Born Abroad Out of Wedlock

If a child is born abroad and the parents are not married, the question of citizenship becomes even more complex.

A child born abroad to a US citizen mother is a US citizen if the mother had been previously present in the United States or a US territory for a period of at least one uninterrupted year.

However, a child born abroad with a US citizen father can only be a US citizen if the following criteria are met:

* A blood relationship between the father and the child is established.
* The father has — in writing and under oath — acknowledged paternity and agreed to provide financial support for the child until he or she turns 18.
* Paternity is established by an adjudication court.
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Ask Philip Gamble whether you (or your children) have a claim to British nationality.

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Learn more about these routes to British Nationality:

WhatPassport.com is a specialist UK Nationality and British Citizenship site offering an online search and assessment. Claims to hold a British Passport can be complex and the site offers a quick, simple search to give you the answers. While many people qualify for the UK Ancestry Visa based on holding a Commonwealth passport with a UK born grandmother or grandfather, we have found that if you have a grandparent born in the UK, or if your mother is British or your father is British, then there are several scenarios where you can claim British Nationality and the right to hold a British Passport. This stems from Britain’s collection of British Colonies, British Protectorates and British Protected States in the middle of last century and the Nationality rules concerning what are now the countries of the Commonwealth.

WhatPassport.com is a subsidiary of Sable International.

Sable International offers a range of services relating to UK and Australian immigration. For over 20 years, we have been helping people with their UK and Australian visa applications. We assist with applications for Ancestry visas, spouse visas, work visas, Tier 1 visas, UK working holiday visas, UK dependant visas, Tier 4 visas, UK Visitor visas, sponsorship visas or UK permanent residency or indefinite leave to remain. We also specialise in UK visa extensions. If you’ve overstayed your visa, our Overstayer Status Trace service can assist to regularise your visa status.