Would I be a citizen automatically if my mom is one too?
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Would I be a citizen automatically if my mom is one too?
iMy mother was born in Africa and so was I. We came to the U.S. when I was about 6 months old. Now my mother is a legal citizen, am I automatically one too because I am a dependent? I am taking my driver’s education course and I need to have my citizenship papers in order to get my permit. So is that true?
Asked on June 4, 2012 under Immigration Law, Minnesota
Answers:
Meghan Abigail / Abigail Law Firm, PLLC
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It depends on a couple of things: have you been a legal permanent resident? Does she have legal and physical custody of you? Are you under age 18? If yes to all of those, then yes you have derived citizenship through her.
To get proof of this, you can apply for your passport or apply for a certificate of citizenship (N-600). Some passport offices don't understand the law, however, so it might be difficult in some places.
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