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The law on acquisition of American Citizenship varies if one or both biological parents are also Americans, and if the child is born in or out of wedlock. Here’s how it works:
For a child born out of wedlock, please click here.
What Do We Mean by Physical Presence?
Physical Presence is the actual time when the parent was physically present in the United States, not simply as a resident.
This means that any travel outside the United States, including vacation, should be excluded. Physical presence in the United States can be any time before the child’s birth. This can include the time before s/he becomes naturalized as a U.S. citizen. If required, please be prepared to submit old passports if available, as evidence. If unavailable, other evidence may be required to establish physical presence.
Any documented periods of time spent overseas with the United States Military/Government etc. may be computed as physical presence in the United States for transmission of citizenship purposes. Time spent as a dependent child of a United States Military/Government employee hired directly by the Department of Defense may also be computed as physical presence. Military records may be requested.
Please call your nearest Consulate or Embassy:
Emergency Contact – All Locations Enroll in STEP International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance