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  Become a Citizen

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      Verify Employment EligibilityBecome a Citizen
There are two ways to become a United States (U.S.) citizen – by birth or through naturalization.
      
      Become a Citizen at Birth
      To become a citizen at birth, you must:

Be born in the U.S or in certain territories or outlying possessions of the United States, that are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
	Have a parent or parents who were citizens at the time of your birth
	If you were born outside the U.S., you must meet these requirements outlined by the U.S. Department of StateIf your biological or adoptive parent(s) became U.S. citizens before you reached the age of 18, you may already be a U.S. citizen and not need to apply for naturalization. For more information, visit USCIS’s Citizenship Through Parents page.
              Become a Citizen by Naturalization
      Naturalization is the process by which U.S. Citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The USCIS Citizenship Resource Center is designed to help you through the naturalization process. Below are most common resources requested:

Apply for naturalization
	Citizenship and Naturalization Based Forms
	Naturalization process
	Read A Guide To NaturalizationMost common paths to U.S. Citizenship:

I am the Child of a U.S. Citizen
	I am Married to a U.S. Citizen
	I am Serving in the U.S. Military
	I am a Lawful Permanent Resident of 5 Years
  
    
    KeywordsHow Do I - For the Public
              How Do I?
              U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

    Last Updated: 08/18/2022
  
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