Child Citizenship Act
The Child Citizenship Act (CCA), effective as of February 27, 2001, provides U.S. citizenship to certain foreign-born children, including adopted children, of U.S. citizens. Specifically, these children include:- Orphans with a full and final adoption abroad or adoption finalized in the U.S.,
- Biological or legitimated children,
- Certain children born out of wedlock to a mother who naturalizes, and
- Adopted children meeting the two-year custody requirement.
Generally, children under18 years of age with at least one U.S. citizen parent will benefit under this act. Qualifying children who immigrate to the U.S. with their citizen parent will automatically acquire U.S. citizenship upon entry. These children will receive Certificates of Citizenship within 45 days of their arrival instead of receiving a Permanent Resident Card and then having to file their Certificate of Citizenship. The CCA authorizes the automatic acquisition of citizenship and permanently protects the adopted children of U.S. citizens from deportation.