Kentucky follows the national laws when it comes to matters of naturalization. Not every child may be eligible to become a naturalized citizen, which is why it’s important to understand these laws and what they mean for you.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, there are two primary ways in which a person can obtain citizenship through their parents. The first is at birth, and the second is after birth but before you turn 18 years old. Under legal definitions, a child in this category is an unmarried person who is either the legitimated, genetic, or adopted child of a U.S. citizen.
In order to be considered a U.S. citizen upon birth, you must have at least one parent who’s a U.S. citizen who has also spent a certain amount of time living in the country. You must be a lawful permanent resident and be in the physical and legal custody of the parent who is a U.S. citizen as well. However, you do not need to have been born within the U.S.
There are also cases where children residing outside of the country can still obtain citizenship, too. However, it should be noted that the laws regarding immigration and naturalization can change. Whatever law is in effect at the time of your child’s birth is what applies to your specific case, even if that law changes afterward.
Dealing with matters of naturalization can be complex. Because of these complexities, you may want to contact an experienced attorney so you don’t risk making a move that could damage your chance of gaining citizenship.
