The Child Citizenship Act of 2000

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (H.R. 2883) was signed by President Clinton on Oct. 30, 2000. It went into effect Feb. 27, 2001.

The bill grants automatic citizenship to all foreign-born children who are under 18 years of age; admitted to the United States as lawful permanent residents; and in the legal and physical custody of at least one parent who is a US citizen. Parents no longer are required to submit an application to have their children naturalized.

In January of 2004, USCIS launched the Certificate of Citizenship Project which automatically issues certificates to children entering the US on an IR-3 Visa.  To learn more about this program and how to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship, click here. 

Links:

• U.S. Department of State

• Frequently Asked Questions (pdf file)

• Press Release from Rep. Delahunt (pdf file)

• Text of public law 106-395 (pdf file)

• The complete text of HR 2883 (pdf file)

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