Q: What are the physical presence requirements for a U.S. citizen parent to transmit citizenship?

A: The physical presence requirements vary depending on whether both parents are U.S. citizens or if only one parent is a U.S. citizen. Typically, the U.S. citizen parent must have lived in the U.S. for several years before the child’s birth. Some of these years must be after the parent turned 14. Specific details depend on the laws in effect at the time of the child’s birth.