Status of children born to US citizen outside us where spouse is not us citizen?

[us702]

Can someone please explain what will be the status of children born to US citizen outside USA where spouse is not a US citizen?
I am looking for status in terms of their US immigration/citizenship.
thanks,

 

[C R S]

Check out: http://travel.state.gov/acquisition.html

Does the citizen parent meet the requirements outlined in the above site for his/her child to acquire US citizenship at birth? If so, the alien parent can approach the local US consulate with the appropriate documentation to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and a US passport for the child at the same time. If not, the citizen parent can sponsor his/her child for permanent residence and when the child enters the US as a permanent resident, he/she will be eligible for US citizenship automatically.

 

[us702]

Thanks..

Looks like Citizen parent has to be physically present for 5 years in US for child to become US Citizen. Would someone know if these 5 years have to be after Citizen parent become US Citizen or PR time can also be counted towards it?
Thanks again.

 

[C R S]

It is my understanding that these can be any five years that the citizen parent has spent in the US. The consulate ought to be able to clarify this issue.