Different Paths to U.S. Citizenship- Elementary School

Here is a guide to the four main ways people get their U.S. citizenship.

Path 1: Born in the U.S.A. (Birthright Citizenship)

This is the most common way to become a citizen, and it is also the easiest!

• How it works: If a baby is born physically inside the United States (like in a hospital in California, New York, or any other state) they are automatically a U.S. citizen from the very second they are born. It doesn't matter where their parents are from!

Path 2: Born to U.S. Parents (Acquisition)

Sometimes, babies are born in different countries, but they still get to be U.S. citizens right away.

• How it works: If a baby is born in another country (like Italy or Japan), but at least one of their parents is already a U.S. citizen, that citizenship can be passed down to the baby.

Path 3: The Citizenship Test (Naturalization)

For people who were born in another country and moved to the U.S. later in life, this is the path they have to take to become a U.S. Citizen. It takes a lot of hard work!

To take this path, a person must:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Have a Green Card (permission to live in the U.S. permanently) for at least 3 to 5 years.

• Be a good neighbor and follow all the laws.

• Pass a test: They have to take a test to show they can speak English and that they know American history (like who the first president was and what the 50 stars on the flag stand for).

• Take an Oath: At the very end, they stand up, raise their right hand, and take a special promise (called an Oath of Allegiance) to be loyal to the United States.

Path 4: Joining a Citizen Parent (Derivation)

This is a special path just for kids!

• How it works: If a parent goes through Path 3 (Naturalization) and becomes a citizen, their kids who are under 18 years old and living with them can automatically become U.S. citizens, too! The kids don't even have to take the history test.