Becoming a U.S. Citizen Through Acquisition
Children can automatically become citizens of the United States, even if they were born outside of the country. However, at least one of the following factors needs to be met for a child to "acquire" citizenship.
Acquisition Through a Parent
This factor requires that one parent is a U.S. citizen at the time of birth and the child was born on or after November 14, 1986. Additionally, the parent who is a U.S. citizen must have been physically present in the United States or its territories, stayed a minimum of five years before the birth of the child, and two out of these five years must be before or after the parent's 14th birthday.
Acquisition Through Both Parents
A child can become a U.S. citizen if both parents were citizens, one or both parents lived in the United States or its territories before the child's birth, and both parents were married when the child was born.
One Parent Was a U.S. Citizen
This condition is for children that were born between 1952 and 1986, specifically before November 14, 1986, but after October 10, 1952. One or both parents must have been physically present in the United States or its territories for at least ten years, five of which must be before or after their 14th birthday. Also, both parents must have been married at the time that the child was born.