Automatic Acquisition of Citizenship for Adopted Child

[Jackie Win]

Hello,

My wife and I are USC through naturalization long time ago. Back in 2005, we adopted a boy when we were visiting our homeland. My adopted son then got an F1 visa to study abroad in the U.S. in 2008 when he was 15. Prior to this time, we hadn't filed adoption paper in the U.S., so we went ahead and did so as soon as he arrived here. The re-adoption was full and final before my adopted son turned 16. We then applied a permanent resident card for our son. However, he received his green card about 8 months after he had turned 18. That is the thing that gets me confused. So, my question is: did my adopted son automatically become a U.S. citizen?

Thank you in advance!!

 

[newacct]

The "resident since" date on his green card is after his 18th birthday? Then I don't think he became a U.S. citizen.

 

[Jackie Win]

The "resident since" date on his green card is after his 18th birthday? Then I don't think he became a U.S. citizen.

Yes, we received his green card after his 18th birthday. That was what I thought too. I just want to make sure. Thanks.

 

[Jackolantern]

All the conditions including the green card approval must have been met before turning 18. So he didn't derive citizenship through the adoption, and he'll have to apply for N-400 on his own merit if he wants US citizenship.