U.S. Citizenship Transmission and Assisted Reproductive Technology

Recognizing the realities of modern families and advances in assisted reproductive technology (“ART”), the State Department and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) both updated their interpretation and application of the requirements for acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth.

Previously, to acquire U.S. citizenship at birth, children born abroad had to have a genetic or gestational relationship to a U.S. citizen parent. Now, a non-genetic, non-gestational U.S. citizen parent can transmit U.S. citizenship to the child if:

• U.S. citizen parent is married to the child’s genetic or gestational parent at the time of the child’s birth, and
• the relevant jurisdiction recognizes both parents as the child’s legal parents.

This change will allow increased numbers of married couples to transmit U.S. citizenship to their children born abroad. Children who meet these requirements, and whose application for a Certificate of Citizenship has been previously denied, may file a motion to reopen or reconsider the denial decision on a Notice of Appeal or Motion (Form I-290B).

Contact an attorney at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C. if you have any questions about this topic or your case.