Establishing Your U.S. Citizenship

Are you taking the step to assert your U.S. citizenship? Let's ensure you have the official documentation to back it up.

For individuals born within the United States, the typical proof of citizenship is your state-issued birth certificate—not to be mistaken with a birth record given by a hospital, which is not recognized as official proof.

Those who have achieved citizenship through the naturalization process should possess a naturalization certificate showing their U.S. citizenship status.

Now, if you were born outside the U.S. borders but your citizenship is derived from your U.S. citizen parents, you won't have a U.S. birth certificate or naturalization certificate. In such situations, the path forward includes the acquisition of a U.S. passport or a certificate of citizenship.

Were your first breaths taken abroad as the child of U.S. citizen parents? You're entitled to apply for a U.S. passport with extra steps to verify your citizenship. You'll require:

• Parental evidence of U.S. citizenship,
• Documentation of your parents' adherence to U.S. residency prerequisites, and
• Confirmation of meeting necessary residency obligations or exemptions therefrom.

Requisite substantiation may consist of parental birth or citizenship records, employment or tax files, or explanatory affidavits.

Passports are procurable from passport offices stateside or U.S. consulates internationally. Nonetheless, many find that U.S. consulates are often more conducive to success in these matters.

Another avenue for affirming your U.S. citizenship lies in applying for a citizenship certificate through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Regardless of your U.S. citizenship status, you can apply for this certificate, but note that only USCIS offices within the U.S. issue such documents.

Securing citizenship through this channel can be more arduous due to longer processing times. But if you acquired U.S. citizenship automatically via a parent's naturalization, applying for this certificate may be quite straightforward, as you’d generally have ready access to the necessary proof.

Supporting evidence for your application should encompass the birth and naturalization certificates of your parents and your birth, marriage, or divorce documents to verify your identity and any name changes.

A Consular Registration of Birth Abroad is a conclusive piece of evidence for those born overseas to U.S. citizens who registered the birth with a U.S. consulate within five years. But if your birth wasn't reported within that timeframe, or the original and copies are misplaced, you'll need to proceed with getting a passport or a citizenship certificate.

For support navigating your application for a passport or certificate of citizenship, and for assistance in all related matters, contact Sapochnick Law Firm at 619.819.9204. Our team is here to guide you through each step of confirming your cherished U.S. citizenship.