Many times people do not realize that they are United States citizens. Derivative Citizenship is the process whereby the Immigration and Naturalization Service will give you a Certificate of Citizenship, proving that you are a United States citizen.
Many times, it will help people significantly to be citizens of the United States.
In these situations, they must explore whether they are a United States citizen through derivative citizenship.
Additionally, it is usually considerably faster to obtain the Certificate of Citizenship rather than going through the Naturalization process.
Derivative U.S. Citizenship for Adults — can you claim citizenship through a parent?
Some adults may already be U.S. citizens by derivation (they automatically acquired citizenship through a parent) or may be eligible to document that status by filing Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship). Whether an adult can claim derivative citizenship depends on the specific law in effect at the time the relevant events occurred (birth, parents’ naturalization, legitimation/adoption rules, and residence/transmission requirements). The rules have changed over time, so the first step is identifying which statutory regime applies to the facts.
Three quick scenarios where adults might qualify
- Acquisition at birth through a U.S. citizen parent: if one or both parents were U.S. citizens at the child’s birth and met the residence/physical-presence requirements then in effect, the person may be a U.S. citizen at birth.
- Derivation through parental naturalization while the child was a minor: under prior statutes, an LPR child who was under the statutory age when a parent naturalized could automatically derive citizenship. Whether that helps an adult today depends on the timing.
- Adoption / legitimation: adopted or legitimated children may derive or acquire citizenship under certain rules; adoption abroad and legitimation have special requirements.
Common steps to confirm a derivative claim
- Identify the controlling law and relevant dates (birth, LPR admission, parent naturalization).
- Collect documentary proof: birth certificate, parents’ naturalization or citizenship records, LPR admission records, adoption/legitimation paperwork.
- File Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship) or apply for a U.S. passport with supporting evidence.
- Prepare secondary evidence (affidavits, school/tax records) when primary documents are missing.
How we help
We identify which statutory requirements apply, assemble and summarize proof, prepare and file N-600 packages (or passport submissions), and assist with FOIA or litigation if records are missing or USCIS denies the claim.