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If you are an Australian citizen and want to apply for American citizenship, there are a few things you need to know and some steps you need to take. First, you must determine whether you have a derivative claim to U.S. citizenship, for example, if you were born outside the U.S. to American parents. If so, you will need to gather the appropriate documentation, such as evidence of your parent(s)' U.S. citizenship and proof of their physical presence in the U.S. prior to your birth. Once you have completed the necessary application forms and gathered all the required supporting documents, you can make an appointment to submit your application. The process and requirements for applying for American citizenship can vary depending on individual circumstances, so it is important to carefully review the guidelines provided by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Australia.
Characteristics and Values Table for Applying for American Citizenship from Australia
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application Forms | Application for Naturalization, Form N-400 |
| Supporting Documentation | U.S. citizen parent(s)’ evidence of U.S. citizenship (U.S. passport or naturalization certificate), Marriage Certificate, Parents’ registered marriage certificate (if applicable), Evidence of termination of parents' previous marriage(s) (if applicable), U.S. citizen parent’s documentary evidence of physical presence in the United States before the child’s birth (e.g. academic transcripts, employment records, U.S. military service records, wage and tax statements), Applicant’s evidence of identity (foreign passport, driver license), U.S. sized passport photograph, Self-addressed envelope for return of passports |
| Age Requirements | Applicants over 18 with at least one U.S. citizen parent may have a derivative claim to U.S. citizenship. Applicants under 18 should refer to the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) information. |
| Processing Time | Varies depending on circumstances |
| Cost | May be a cost depending on circumstances |
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What You'll Learn
Derivative claim to citizenship if born outside the US to US citizen parent(s)
If you were born outside the United States to one or both United States citizen parents, you may have a derivative claim to U.S. citizenship.
If you are over the age of 18, you can apply for a Certificate of Citizenship. You will need to prove your relationship to your U.S. citizen parent/s and show proof of their U.S. citizenship. This can be done by submitting Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, along with supporting documents that evidence your status.
If your parents had previously registered you as a United States citizen after your birth, one of the following documents would have been issued to you, and can be used as evidence of your U.S. citizenship:
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form FS-240)
- Certification of Birth Abroad (Form FS-545 or DS-1350)
- Before 1981, inclusion of your name on your U.S. citizen parent’s passport
If you are under the age of 18, your parents should refer to the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) information. The U.S. Department of State issues CRBAs before a child turns 18 and are proof of the child's U.S. citizenship. If your parents did not apply for a CRBA, you can apply for a U.S. passport, but this will require:
- Your foreign birth record showing your parents' names
- Evidence of a parent’s U.S. citizenship
- A statement from your U.S. citizen parent/s which lists where and when they lived in the U.S.
It is important to note that the laws regarding citizenship for those born outside the U.S. to U.S. citizen parents have changed several times over the years, and there are different requirements for children born before November 14, 1986, and children born out of wedlock. Generally, to establish a claim to U.S. citizenship, the citizen parent must have been physically present in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for five years, at least two of which were after the age of 14.
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Evidence of US citizenship for US citizen parent(s)
If you were born outside the United States and acquired U.S. citizenship through your U.S. citizen parent(s), you will need to submit the following documents as evidence:
- Your foreign birth certificate listing your parent(s).
- Your parent(s)’ evidence of U.S. citizenship, such as a U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), or naturalization certificate.
- Your parents' marriage certificate (if your parents were married).
- A statement from your parent(s) that details when and where they lived in the United States and abroad before your birth.
If your parents were not married at the time of your birth, you will need to provide evidence of legitimation. Legitimation means a father – whose child was born when he was not married – establishes a full legal relationship to his child. This gives the father the same rights and obligations as if his child had been born while married to the child’s mother.
If your parent(s) became a U.S. citizen after you turned 18, they can petition for you as an adult child of a U.S. citizen using Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Adult children fall into either the F1 or F3 family preference categories, depending on their marriage status. The immigration process for these categories can be lengthy, typically several years. Immigration results in permanent resident status (green card). After immigrating and fulfilling naturalization requirements, you can apply to become a citizen through the regular naturalization process.
To prove your status as a U.S. citizen, you will need to apply for a certificate using Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship. You must submit supporting documents that evidence your status.
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Evidence of identity for the applicant
When applying for American citizenship from Australia, you must provide evidence of your identity as the applicant. This can be done in several ways, including:
- Providing a foreign passport: If you are an Australian citizen applying for American citizenship, you can submit your Australian passport as proof of identity.
- Supplying a driver's license: A valid driver's license issued by the Australian government can serve as proof of identity for applicants.
- Presenting other forms of government-issued identification: Depending on your specific circumstances, other forms of government-issued ID may be accepted. These could include national identity cards, birth certificates, or similar documents.
- Submitting biometric data: In some cases, providing biometric data, such as fingerprints or iris scans, may be required or accepted as additional or alternative proof of identity.
- Including a passport photograph: As part of your application, you will need to include a U.S.-sized passport photograph. This is a specific size different from Australian passport photographs, so ensure you provide the correct dimensions.
It is important to note that the requirements for evidence of identity may vary depending on your specific situation and the U.S. embassy or consulate's guidelines. Always refer to the official instructions provided by the U.S. government or consult with an immigration specialist to ensure you are submitting the correct documentation.
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Application submission and processing
Once eligibility is established, applicants can proceed to complete the appropriate application form. Immigrants between the ages of 18 and 59 should use Form 1300t, while those over 60 should submit Form 1290. Applicants must gather the required supporting documents, including acceptable forms of identification and original police certificates to prove their clean criminal record. The specific documents needed are outlined in the application form.
Applicants must submit their completed application forms and supporting documents to the Consulate General serving their area. It is important to note that the application should be printed one-sided and typed or printed legibly in black ink. Applicants must also bring the original formats of all required documents. The processing time for citizenship applications may vary depending on individual circumstances.
In some cases, applicants may be invited to sit for a citizenship test or attend an interview as part of the evaluation process. This step assesses the applicant's knowledge of the English language, Australian values, and other relevant criteria. After successfully completing these steps, the final stage of the process is attending a citizenship ceremony, where new citizens take the Australian citizenship pledge to officially finalize their immigration status. Local government councils organize these ceremonies, and invited participants typically receive a letter of invitation four weeks in advance.
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Citizenship test or interview
Once you have submitted your application for American citizenship, you may be invited to sit a citizenship test or attend an interview. The citizenship test is a written exam that assesses your knowledge of American history, government, and civics. It also tests your ability to read, write, and speak English. The interview is a chance for a USCIS officer to ask you questions about your application and to assess your English language skills.
Citizenship Test
The citizenship test is a written exam that consists of 100 questions. You must answer at least 60 questions correctly to pass. The test covers a range of topics, including:
- American history
- The structure and function of the US government
- Civil rights and freedoms
- The US constitution
- The responsibilities and privileges of US citizenship
You will have two opportunities to take the test within a 90-day period. If you fail the test twice, your application for citizenship may be denied.
Interview
During the interview, a USCIS officer will ask you questions about your application and why you want to become a US citizen. They will also assess your ability to read, write, and speak English. The interview usually takes place within a few months of submitting your application, and you will be notified of the date and time in advance.
Preparation
To prepare for the citizenship test or interview, you can:
- Study the official USCIS study guide, which covers all the topics that may be included in the test
- Practice your English language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening
- Familiarize yourself with the N-400, Application for Naturalization, and be prepared to answer questions about the information you provided
- Review your application materials and supporting documents
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Frequently asked questions
Applicants over 18 years old born outside the US to one or both US citizen parent(s) may have a derivative claim to US citizenship.
You will need a US citizen parent(s)’ evidence of US citizenship (US passport or naturalization certificate), a marriage certificate, documentary evidence of the physical presence of the US citizen parent in the US prior to the child's birth, and a photo ID, among other documents.
Once you have completed all the appropriate application forms and gathered all the required supporting documentation, make an appointment to submit the application.
The time it takes to process your application depends on your circumstances.
Yes, depending on your circumstances when you apply for citizenship, there may be a cost involved.
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