United States citizenship by descent allows people of United States ancestry to claim United States nationality based on family lineage. Each country has specific rules — here's how the process works for United States.
United States consulates processing citizenship applications
Evans
Xongan Embassy in The United States of America
View details →Falls ChurchEmbassy USA
View details →HartfordPatronato ACAI-ENAS USA (Italian Social Security Office)
View details →HoustonBanjercito Houston Texas
View details →HoustonConsulate General of the United Arab Emirates in Houston
View details →HoustonBritish Consulate General Houston
View details →MetairieEmbassy of Transnistria in the USA
View details →Who qualifies for United States citizenship?
Generally, qualification depends on:
- Having a United States parent, grandparent or great-grandparent (depending on country)
- Being able to document the unbroken family line
- No criminal record
- Sometimes: language proficiency or residence in United States
Required documents
- Genealogical records: birth, marriage, death certificates of ancestors (all apostilled)
- Naturalization records of any ancestor (or proof of no naturalization)
- FBI background check (apostilled)
- Your own passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (apostilled)
- Certified translations to United States language
How to apply
Citizenship recovery is typically done at the United States consulate covering your state of residence. It's a long, document-heavy process.
Many applicants hire specialized lawyers or genealogists to navigate the documentation, especially when records date back generations.
Costs and processing times
Application fees: $50-$500 direct fees. With document translations, apostilles, genealogist help, total cost: $500-$5,000.
Processing time: 6 months to 4 years, depending on country and case complexity.