Can My Parents Get Me Legal

There’s no doubt being a citizen of the country you’re residing in has its perks. One path you can take to become a legal citizen is naturalization. However, the naturalization process is long, and you have to meet certain criteria to apply. But have you ever wondered — Can my parents get me legal citizenship? Can my parents get me to immigrate to the USA legally?

Can My Parents Get Me Legal Citizenship?

The answer to this question will differ from country to country. In some countries, you can get citizenship even if the last person in your family who was a citizen is your grandfather. However, that’s not the case in the US. Still, you will be able to become a citizen through your parents in these three cases:

1. Birthright Citizenship

You probably know about birthright citizenship already — it’s the most common form of citizenship. It means that you are a legal citizen of the place you were born in. If you were born in the USA, you are a citizen, whether your parents were illegal immigrants or citizens at the time of your birth.

2. Acquisition of Citizenship

If one or both of your parents were US citizens when you were born, you can become one as well. In that case, it doesn’t matter where you were born or if you’ve ever been to the US. Additionally, this rule applies to children who were born abroad and then adopted by US citizens, as well.

3. Derivation of Citizenship

The third way you can become a citizen through your parents is if one or both of your parents became citizens. They can do so via naturalization. Still, you have to be under 18 years old. Additionally, you have to have a green card and be in the care of your parents. If you meet these requirements, you’ll be able to become a citizen without passing the naturalization test yourself.

Can My Parents Get Me Legal Immigration?

You should be aware that you may not be able to become a US citizen even though your parents are. That can happen if you are over 18 when your parents are naturalized or if only one of your parents is naturalized. However, there is a way your parents can help you immigrate to the US legally.

If you are under 21 years old, and you’re not married, your parents can petition for you to become a permanent US resident. They will need to be able to prove that they can sponsor you while you are staying in America. If they can prove that, you’ll obtain a green card, meaning you’ll become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Conclusion

The answer to the question — Can my parents get me legal? is complex. It can be difficult to become a US citizen if you’re not born in the country. However, there are ways for you to immigrate legally. Mainly, you can get a green card or become a citizen by acquisition or derivation if you’re under 18 years old.