USCIS 128:68. How can people become United States citizens?

OpenAI. (2026). How can people become United States citizens?  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

People can become United States citizens in different ways. The law explains who can be a citizen and how someone can get citizenship.

One way is to be born in the United States. The 14th Amendment says that most people born in the U.S. are citizens. This is called birthright citizenship.

Another way is to naturalize. Naturalization is a process for people who were not born in the United States. They must apply, meet certain requirements, pass tests and inteviews, and take the Oath of Allegiance to become citizens.

A third way is called derivative citizenship. This happens when a child becomes a citizen through their parents. For example, if a parent becomes a U.S. citizen, the child may also become a citizen if they meet certain conditions set by law.

These three ways—birth in the United States, naturalization, and derivative citizenship—are the main ways people become U.S. citizens.