united-states citizenship
Can I become a US citizen if my mother is a US citizen?
<p>I'm looking to get my US citizenship, and I am wondering if it is possible to obtain a U.S. citizenship because my mother is a citizen and was so when I was born. I am looking at <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-parents" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="This Page">This Page</a> but I am confused about a couple of things.</p>
<p>I believe the following applies to me:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In a general, a Child Born Outside the U.S. is a Citizen at Birth when
the Child’s Parents Are Married to each other at the Time of Birth</p>
<p><strong>IF...</strong></p>
<p>One parent is a U.S. citizen at the time of birth and the birthdate is
on or after November 14, 1986</p>
<p><strong>AND...</strong></p>
<p>The U.S. citizen parent had been physically present in the U.S. or its
territories for a period of at least five years at some time in his or
her life prior to the birth, of which at least two years were after
his or her 14th birthday.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Does November 14, 1986 refer to the birthdate of the parent or the birthdate of child (me)?</p>
<p>Assuming this applies to me, does &quot;citizen at birth&quot; mean I am already technically a citizen, or would my parent's have had to fill out some paperwork when I was born? The Page also mentions the age of 18. If my parents didn't file the paperwork for me to become a citizen at birth or before 18, does that mean it's impossible for me to get a citizenship through this method since I am over 18?</p>
<p>I was born in Canada and have a Canadian citizenship. I'm not sure if that makes any difference.</p>

<p>"the birthdate is on or after November 14, 1986" refers to your birthdate (the birthdate of the parent is irrelevant). "Citizen at birth" means that, if the conditions describe hold, the person has been a citizen ever since they were born, and there is no requirement for parents to register their citizen children as citizens. Mention of age 18 is relevant in case a person's parents are not married to each other at the time of birth. A person who is a citizen at birth does not (technically) have to apply for a <a href="http://www.uscis.gov/n-600" rel="nofollow">Certificate of Citizenship</a> but if you want to document your citizenship, you have to file that form (but <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume12-PartH-Chapter3.html#S-D" rel="nofollow">simply applying for a US Passport</a> is much simpler and more useful). Since you are at least 18, you can file it on your own, otherwise the ​U.S.​ citizen ​parent or ​legal guardian must submit the application (which is another way that 18 becomes relevant).</p>
