Acquisition by Birth Abroad to Non-Citizen U.S. National Parent(s)
(CT:CITZ-130; 06-09-2025)
(Office of Origin: CA/PPT/S/A)
8 FAM 308.9-1 Introduction
(CT:CITZ-130; 06-09-2025)
a. The acquisition of non-citizen U.S. nationality by birth abroad is governed by treaty or congressional legislation. The law in effect when a person was born governs that person's acquisition of non-citizen U.S. nationality, unless the legislation specifically provides otherwise such as retroactive application. See 8 FAM 308.2 regarding acquisition of non-citizen U.S. nationality by persons born in American Samoa and Swains Island and 8 FAM 308.3 regarding the non-citizen U.S. national option provided for persons born in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in section 302 of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America.
b. The considerations in 8 FAM 301.4 relating to relationship to the parent(s) and 8 FAM 304.4 concerning posthumous children also apply to persons claiming non-citizen U.S. nationality through their parents.
c. Persons who acquired non-citizen U.S. nationality at birth were never subject to special requirements for retaining their non-citizen U.S. nationality.
d. A child born to one U.S. citizen parent and one non-citizen U.S. national parent acquires U.S. citizenship if the U.S. citizen parent meets the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 301(d) (8 U.S.C. 1401(d)) (or prior statutes) and, in cases of children born out of wedlock, INA 309 (8 U.S.C. 1409) (or prior statutes). The person may not opt for non-citizen U.S. national status. A person cannot be both a U.S. citizen and a non-citizen U.S. national. Non-citizen U.S. nationality under INA 308 is only acquired when there is no U.S. citizen parent.
e. The Department implements INA 341(b) (8 U.S.C. 1452(b)) by annotating the person’s U.S. passport to indicate that they are a non-citizen U.S. national and not a citizen, using endorsement code 09. (See 8 FAM 505.2.) Under 8 U.S.C. 1452(b) and 8 U.S.C. 1448(a), first-time, non-citizen U.S. national applicants must take an oath of allegiance. Passport authorizing officers (see 8 FAM 103.2-1) must administer the oath. Consequently, the applicant must appear at the passport agency/center or post to take the oath. A sample of the oath of allegiance is provided in 8 FAM 308.9-7 below.
f. A non-citizen U.S. national may apply for naturalization as a U.S. citizen pursuant to INA 325 (8 U.S.C. 1436) and 8 CFR 325.
8 FAM 308.9-2 CHART
(CT:CITZ-130; 06-09-2025)
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Date of Birth |
Place of Birth |
Status of Parents |
Notes |
Laws, Regulations Applicable |
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On or after January 13, 1941, and prior to December 24, 1952 |
In an outlying possession of the United States (definition changed in NA and INA. See 8 FAM 302.8-4). |
One non-citizen U.S. national parent |
Non-citizen U.S. nationality acquired |
Section 204(a) of the Nationality Act |
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On or after January 13, 1941, and prior to December 24, 1952 |
Outside the U.S. and outlying possessions |
Both non-citizen U.S. nationals |
Both parents resided in the U.S. or possession prior to the child’s birth – non-citizen U.S. nationality acquired |
Section 204(b) of the Nationality Act |
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Prior to January 13, 1941, and prior to December 24, 1952 |
Outside the U.S. or its outlying possessions |
Non-citizen U.S. national mother |
Birth Out of Wedlock: Second Paragraph, Section 205 of the Nationality Act was retroactive. Children born out of wedlock to a non-citizen U.S. national mother who had non-citizen U.S. nationality at the time of the child’s birth and who had resided in the U.S. or an outlying possession prior to the birth of the child acquired non-citizen U.S. national status. |
Section 205 of the Nationality Act |
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Prior to January 13, 1941, and prior to December 24, 1952 |
Outside the U.S. or its outlying possessions |
Non-citizen U.S. national father |
The first paragraph of Section 205 NA regarding establishment of paternity by legitimation or adjudication by a competent court has not been applied retroactively. A child born abroad prior to January 13, 1941, out of wedlock to a non-U.S. citizen mother and a father who had non-citizen U.S. nationality at the time of the child’s birth, and met the legitimation and transmittal requirements, did not acquire non-citizen U.S. nationality under Section 204 of the Nationality Act as made applicable by Section 205 of the Nationality Act |
Section 205 of the Nationality Act |
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On or after January 13, 1941, and prior to December 24, 1952 |
Outside the U.S. or its outlying possessions |
Non-citizen U.S. national father |
Birth Out of Wedlock: First Paragraph: The provisions of Section 201 of the Nationality Act, subsections (c), (d), (e) and (g) and Section 204 (a) and (b) of the Nationality Act, apply as of the date of birth, to a child born out of wedlock, provided the paternity is established during minority, by legitimation, or adjudication of a competent court. |
Section 205 of the Nationality Act |
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On or after December 24, 1952 (INA) |
Outside the U.S. or its outlying possessions |
Both parents are non-citizen U.S. nationals |
Both parents have had a residence in the United States, or one of its outlying possessions prior to the birth of such person – non-citizen U.S. nationality acquired. |
INA 308(2) |
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Any date of birth |
Outside the U.S. or its outlying possessions |
One parent either a non-citizen U.S. national on applicant's birth date or a person to whom non-citizen U.S. national status was conferred on or after August 27, 1986); one non-U.S. citizen parent |
Non-citizen U.S. national parent was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than seven years in any continuous period of ten years. Five years of those ten years must have been after the age of 14. U.S. non-citizen national parent must not have been outside the U.S. or its possessions for a continuous period more than one year during the ten-year period. The proviso of INA 301(g) (8 U.S.C. 1401(g)), which relates to periods of honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States or periods of employment with the U.S. Government or an international organization, shall apply to the national parent under this paragraph in the same manner as it applies to the citizen parent under that section. Upon approval of application for a passport or Consular Report of Birth of Abroad bearing the endorsement for non-citizen U.S. nationality, such nationality status is deemed to have been conferred retroactively to the applicant's date of birth. |
Act of August 27, 1986, Public Law 99-396, Section 15 (Public Laws Amending the INA USCIS web page)
Koonwaiyou v. Blinken, 69 F.4th 1004 (9th Cir. 2023). |
8 FAM 308.9-3 BEFORE JANUARY 13, 1941
(CT:CITZ-59; 07-08-2021)
a. Prior to the NA, there was no comprehensive law under which a person born in a foreign country to a non-citizen U.S. national could acquire the parent's nationality status at birth, the law of jus sanguinis being applicable to United States citizens only.
b. Section 204(b) NA, which went into effect on January 13, 1941, was only prospective in application and did not give non-citizen U.S. nationality to persons previously born abroad to non-citizen U.S. nationals.
c. Acquisition of U.S. nationality by birth abroad before January 13, 1941, however, was possible:
(1) Certain children born abroad to Puerto Rican U.S. nationals could acquire non-citizen U.S. nationality at birth (see 8 FAM 308.7); and
(2) Because the second paragraph of section 205 of the NA was retroactive, children born out of wedlock before its effective date to non-citizen U.S. national women who previously had resided in the United States or one of its outlying possessions could claim non-citizen U.S. nationality (see 8 FAM 301.6).
8 FAM 308.9-4 JANUARY 13, 1941 THROUGH DECEMBER 23, 1952
(CT:CITZ-130; 06-09-2025)
a. Section 204 (b) NA stated that, unless otherwise provided in section 201 NA, the following shall be nationals, but not citizens, of the United States:
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“A person born outside the United States and its outlying possessions of parents both of whom are nationals, but not citizens, of the United States, and have resided in the United States or one of its outlying possessions prior to the birth of such person.” |
b. Section 205 of the NA specified the ways in which children born abroad out of wedlock to parents both of whom were non-citizen U.S. nationals could acquire the parent's nationality status.
c. Section 101(e) of the NA provides that “the term “outlying possessions” means all territory, other than as specified in subsection (d), over which the United States exercises rights of sovereignty, except the Canal Zone.” Section 101(d) of the NA provides the term “United States” when used in a geographical sense means the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States.
8 FAM 308.9-5 CURRENT LAW
(CT:CITZ-130; 06-09-2025)
a. The provisions of INA 308(2) (8 U.S.C. 1408(2)), which replaced those of section 204(b) of the Nationality Act on December 24, 1952, were virtually identical. A person born abroad to parents who were both non-citizen U.S. nationals could acquire such nationality status, provided both parents had a residence in the United States or its outlying possessions prior to the person's birth.
b. INA 308(2) applies only to persons born on or after December 24, 1952. INA 101(2) (8 U.S.C. 1101) provides “outlying possessions of the United States means American Samoa and Swains Island.”
c. INA 308(4) (8 U.S.C. 1408(4)), which was added to the INA by section 15(a) of Public Law 99-396 of August 27, 1986 (100 Statutes at Large 842), the Omnibus Territories Act, provides, for the first time, for acquisition of U.S. nationality (not citizenship) by birth abroad to one non-citizen U.S. national parent.
d. Section 15 of Public Law 99-396, the Omnibus Territories Act of 1986, which added INA 308(4) contained similar provisions.
e. In the case of a person born abroad to one non-citizen U.S. national parent, upon issuance of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and/or U.S. passport to such person bearing an endorsement for non-citizen U.S. nationality, such nationality status is deemed to have been conferred retroactively to their date of birth. The effect of enactment of INA 308(4) was that those born abroad to only one non-citizen U.S. national parent may be documented as non-citizen U.S. nationals, provided that their non-citizen U.S. national parent meets the additional physical presence requirements.
g. INA 309 (8 U.S.C. 1409) specifies the circumstances under which INA 308(2) (8 U.S.C. 1408(2)) applies to a child born out of wedlock to a non-citizen U.S. national.
8 FAM 308.9-6 PROOF OF CLAIM TO NON-CITIZEN U.S. NATIONALITY BY BIRTH ABROAD
(CT:CITZ-130; 06-09-2025)
a. Evidence to prove a claim to non-citizen U.S. nationality under section 204(b) of the Nationality Act or INA 308(2) (8 U.S.C. 1408(2)) by birth abroad to two non-citizen U.S. nationals consists of:
(1) A certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate;
(2) Proof of both parents' non-citizen U.S. nationality such as a U.S. passport indicating that the parents are non-citizen U.S. nationals, or other documentation establishing non-citizen U.S. nationality;
(3) The parents' marriage certificate or other proof of marriage showing the parents were married prior to the birth of the child; and
(4) Proof that both parents previously had resided in the United States or one of its outlying possessions.
b. Evidence to prove a claim to non-citizen U.S. nationality by birth abroad to one non-citizen U.S. national parent under INA 308(4) (8 U.S.C. 1408(4)) consists of:
(1) A certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate;
(2) Proof of one parent's acquisition of non-citizen U.S. nationality (ordinarily a U.S. passport indicating that the parent is a non-citizen U.S. national) or documentation establishing parent's claim to non-citizen U.S. nationality (such as a birth certificate filed in American Samoa);
(3) The parents' marriage certificate (if applicable--legitimation is not required); and
(4) Evidence that, prior to the applicant's birth, the non-citizen U.S. national parent was physically present in the United States or an outlying possession (American Samoa, Swains Island) for a total of seven years drawn from any continuous ten-year period (allowing for absences of not more than one year during that ten-year period), and five of those ten years must have been after the applicant's parent was age 14:
(a) See 8 FAM 303.4-3(B) regarding evidence of physical presence; and
(b) In assessing such evidence, you are reminded that the quality of the evidence is more important than the quantity, and no rigid mechanical formula (e.g., one item of evidence for each year claimed) should be applied. The legislative history of this law offers guidance. The Congressional Record of August 1, 1986 states:
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“Many of the individuals who would qualify for U.S. nationality under this provision are older, and desirable records may not exist to substantiate the residency of their parents. In these cases, officials of the Department of State should rely on whatever information can be provided and use liberal discretion as they do to qualify every individual who can reasonably be presumed to be eligible. (132 Congressional Record, part. 13 (1986) page 18619).” |
c. Persons who lack sufficient evidence should be so advised so that they can attempt to present additional documentation.
d. If a child was born abroad out of wedlock to a non-citizen U.S. national mother, the applicant must submit the child's birth certificate and proof that the mother had non-citizen U.S. nationality status at the time of birth and met the applicable residence requirement of section 205 of the NA (for children born prior to December 24, 1952) or the physical presence requirement of INA 309(c) (8 U.S.C. 1409(c))(for children born on or after December 24, 1952).
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NOTE: Although the Supreme Court did not address acquisition through a non-citizen U.S. national mother in Sessions v. Morales-Santana (see 8 FAM 102.3-6), the reasoning behind the decision also applies to acquisition through a non-citizen U.S. national mother: "For the reasons stated, however, we must adopt the remedial course Congress likely would have chosen 'had it been apprised of the constitutional infirmity.'" Please contact AskPPTAdjudication@state.gov in such cases. |
e. If a child born out of wedlock to two non-citizen U.S. nationals did not acquire U.S. nationality at birth because the mother did not have the required one year continuous U.S. physical presence to transmit, the child would need to present evidence of birth to the two non-citizen U.S. nationals, evidence of the parents' prior residence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions, and evidence of fulfillment of the conditions of INA 309(a) (8 U.S.C. 1409(a)), as amended (see 8 FAM 301.7).
f. A child born out of wedlock to a non-U.S. citizen mother and a non-citizen U.S. national father would need to present:
(1) Evidence of the father's non-citizen U.S. nationality;
(2) Evidence of the father’s identity (see 8 FAM 401);
(3) Certified copy of the child’s birth certificate;
(4) Evidence that the father met the applicable residence requirement of section 205 of the NA (for children born prior to December 24, 1952) or the physical presence requirement of INA 308(4) (8 U.S.C. 1408(4))(for children born on or after December 24, 1952); and
(5) Evidence that the father met the legitimation requirements of section 205 of the NA (for children born prior to December 24, 1952).
8 FAM 308.9-7 (U) OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES UNDER INA 337
(CT:CITZ-130; 06-09-2025)
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES
UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT
This statement is for use under section 337(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by a person who acquired non-citizen U.S. nationality by birth outside of the United States and its outlying possessions to non-citizen U.S. national parent(s).
______________________________________________________________
Name of Applicant (Please Print Name in Full)
_____________________________________________________________
Date of Birth
_____________________________________________________________
Place of Birth
I solemnly swear that I have performed no voluntary act which would cause me to be within any of the provisions of section 313 of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to persons opposed to Government of Law or who favor totalitarian forms of Government. I hereby apply to take the oath of allegiance to the United States as prescribed by Section 337(a) of the same act.
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform non-combatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
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Signature of Applicant
Subscribed and Sworn to Before Me by the Above-Named Applicant
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Signature of Passport Issuing Officer
________________________________________________________
Typed Name of Passport Issuing Officer
________________________________________________________
Date
(SEAL)