What Is the Child Citizenship Act
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA) automatically grants U.S. citizenship to foreign-born children of U.S. citizens when specific conditions are met, eliminating the need for parents to file a separate naturalization petition. This applies to children under age 18 who acquire a green card and have at least one U.S. citizen parent, regardless of where they were born.
Eligibility Requirements
Your child qualifies for automatic citizenship under the CCA if all four conditions are met:
- At least one parent is a U.S. citizen (by birth or naturalization)
- The child is under 18 years old
- The child has a valid green card and is a lawful permanent resident
- The child is physically present in the U.S. (even temporarily) when the conditions are satisfied
The citizenship takes effect automatically on the date the last condition is met. You do not need to file Form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Naturalization) or appear before USCIS unless you need a Certificate of Citizenship as proof.
How It Connects to the Green Card Process
If you are adjusting status through a U.S. citizen parent, your child benefits from the priority date immediately. Children of U.S. citizens have an immediate relative (IR) visa classification, meaning no visa quota applies and processing typically moves faster than other categories. Once your child receives the green card through adjustment of status or consular processing, citizenship is automatic if they are under 18.
For children adopted internationally, the CCA applies if the adoption occurred before age 16 and one parent is a U.S. citizen. Adopted children do not need a special IR-4 visa or to complete additional steps after receiving the green card to become citizens.
Practical Timeline
Citizenship occurs on the earliest of these dates:
- The date USCIS approves the green card application (if adjusting status in the U.S.)
- The date the child enters the U.S. with a valid immigrant visa (if processing consular processing abroad)
- The date you complete any required medical examination for the visa (in some consular processing cases)
You can request a Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS after the CCA applies. Processing time for the N-600 currently averages 10 to 12 months.
Common Questions
- Does my child need to be present in the U.S. when the green card is approved? No. If the child is abroad during the approval, citizenship takes effect when they cross the U.S. border with the valid immigrant visa. The timing is the same either way.
- What if my child is already 18? The CCA does not apply. Your child would need to file Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) separately, typically after holding a green card for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
- Do I need to do anything for my child to become a citizen? No action is required. Citizenship is automatic. However, getting a Certificate of Citizenship provides official proof and eliminates future verification issues.
Related Concepts
- Derived Citizenship covers automatic citizenship for children born abroad to U.S. citizens
- Adoption explains how the CCA applies to internationally adopted children