Family & childrenPOLICY UPDATE
Citizenship for Adopted Children
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how citizenship and naturalization provisions apply to adopted children.
Effective date and application
This guidance is effective immediately
Key changes
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how citizenship and naturalization provisions apply to adopted children.
- Clarifies how citizenship and naturalization provisions apply to adopted children (for the orphan, Hague, and family-based petition processes).
- Describes requirements for adopted children to meet the definition of a child for citizenship and naturalization purposes, including having an adoption that is considered full, final, and complete for immigration purposes.
- Explains eligibility for U.S. citizenship for adopted children who reside in the United States and how to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship.
- Explains eligibility for U.S. citizenship for adopted children who reside outside of the United States and how to apply for citizenship and issuance of a certificate.
- Clarifies that a child may still qualify for citizenship, depending on the circumstances, if the adoption is disrupted or dissolved.
Related Policy Manual sections
- 5 USCIS-PM F - Part F - Citizenship for Adopted ChildrenUSCIS
- 12 USCIS-PM A.2 - Chapter 2 - Born in the United States and Becoming a U.S. Naturalized CitizenUSCIS
- 12 USCIS-PM H.1 - Chapter 1 - Purpose and BackgroundUSCIS
- 12 USCIS-PM H.2 - Chapter 2 - Definition of Child and Residence for Citizenship and NaturalizationUSCIS
- 12 USCIS-PM H.4 - Chapter 4 - Automatic Acquisition of Citizenship after Birth (INA 320)USCIS
- 12 USCIS-PM H.5 - Chapter 5 - Child Residing Outside the United States (INA 322)USCIS
