Citizenship Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, people are born U.S. citizens if they are born in the United States or if they are children of U.S. citizens:

(1) By being born in the United States - If you were born in the United States (including, in most cases, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands), you are an American citizen at birth (unless you were born to a foreign diplomat). Your Birth Certificate is proof of your citizenship.

(2) Through birth abroad to TWO United States citizens - In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of the following are true:

• Both your parents were U.S. citizens when you were born.
• At least one of your parents lived in the United States at some point in their life.
• Your record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate or embassy, is proof of your citizenship. You may also apply for a passport to have your citizenship recognized. If you need additional proof of your citizenship, you may file a Form N-600, "Application for Certificate of Citizenship" to get a Certificate of Citizenship. All application forms are included in the U.S. Citizenship Application Guide.

(3) Through birth abroad to ONE United States citizen - In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of the following are true:

• One of your parents was a U.S. citizen when you were born.
• Your citizen parent lived at least 5 years in the United States before you were born; and at least 2 of these 5 years in the United States were after your citizen parent's 14th birthday*.
• Your record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate or embassy, is proof of your citizenship. You may also apply for a passport to have your citizenship recognized. If you need additional proof of your citizenship, you may file an "Application for Certificate of Citizenship" (Form N-600) with USCIS to get a Certificate of Citizenship.

*If you were born before November 14, 1986, you are a citizen, if your U.S. citizen parent lived in the United States for at least 10 years, and 5 of those years, in the United States were after your citizen parent's 14th birthday.

Calling: If your application is pending for longer than the processing time projected on your receipt, and you have not recently received any type of notice or update from the USCIS, you can call the National Customer Service Center for information. Have the following information available before you call: your A-number, any receipt number issued to you after the USCIS received your application and the last notice you received about your case. The National Customer Service Center Customer Service Representatives use information provided by each local office to answer questions about case status and processing times.

Writing or visiting the USCIS Office: While calling can be more convenient, you may instead choose to request an update by writing or going to your local USCIS office.

          If you write, please provide the following in your letter:

• Your current name and address, but if different, your name as it appears on your application.
• Your A-number, which is an 8 or 9 digit number following the letter "A", assigned to you or to your application.
• Your date of birth.
• The date and place where your application was filed.
• Any receipt number from any receipt notice issued by the USCIS for your application.
• A copy of the most recent notice sent to you by the USCIS on your case, if you have received one.
• The date and office where you were fingerprinted and where you were interviewed, if this has been done.

Sign your request, or, if you are preparing the request for the applicant, have him or her sign the request. Please mark your envelope: "ATTN: Status Inquiry".

2. If you have NOT been scheduled for a naturalization interview:

Calling: You may obtain case status by calling the USCIS and following the automated instructions. Have your receipt number ready.

Writing or visiting the USCIS Office: While calling can be more convenient, you may instead choose to request an update by writing the Service or Benefits Center where your case is pending. Please note that the Texas Service Center prefers that customers fax their inquiries.

          If you write, please provide the following in your letter:

• Your current name and address, and, if different, your name as it appears on your application.
• Any A-number, which is an 8 or 9 digit number following the letter "A", assigned to you or to your application. Your date of birth.
• The date and place where your application was filed.
• Any receipt number from any receipt notice issued by the USCIS for your application.
• A copy of the most recent notice sent to you by the USCIS on your case, if you have received one.
• The date and office where you were fingerprinted and where you were interviewed, if this has been done.
• If you filed electronically, include a copy of your Confirmation Receipt notice.
  

Sign your request, or, if you are preparing the request for the applicant, have him or her sign the request. Please mark your envelope: ATTN: Status Inquiry.

Federal law requires that men who are between 18 and 26 years old register with Selective Service. This includes all male non-citizens within these age limits who permanently reside in the United States. All men with "Green Cards" (lawful permanent residents) must register. Men living in the United States without Immigration documentation (undocumented aliens) must also register. However, men cannot register after reaching age 26.