ACS Services

Step-children of U.S. Citizens

Children born outside the United States can only acquire U.S. citizenship at birth based on a blood relationship to a parent who is a U.S. citizen at that time.

U.S. immigration law, however, does accord U.S. citizens the right to seek immigration benefits (i.e. a green card, with the possibility of eventual naturalization) for a step-child who was still under the age of 18 on the day the U.S. citizen legally married the child’s parent.  The U.S. citizen begins this process by filing an I-130 Petition with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  For further information, click here for the DHS’ Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services website.