Q: What is acquired U.S. citizenship?

A: Children born abroad automatically acquire U.S. citizenship if one or both of their parents are U.S. citizens. To qualify, the U.S. citizen parent(s) must meet certain legal requirements, such as residing in the U.S. before the child’s birth. Children with acquired citizenship don’t need to apply for naturalization. However, they must provide documentation, like a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), to confirm their U.S. citizenship status. You can obtain a CRBA at a U.S. embassy or consulate, which serves as official proof of citizenship.