Transmission of U.S. citizenship depends on:

1. At least one parent with United States citizenship at the time of the child’s birth;
2. Evidence of a blood relationship between the child and U.S. citizen parent(s); AND
3. Documentary evidence demonstrating the U.S. citizen parent(s)’ presence in the United States prior to the child’s birth, as specified in the Transmission Requirements Table below.

All physical presence in the United States prior to the applicant child’s birth should be reported on the CRBA application (see How to Complete the CRBA Application for detailed instructions).

Transmission Requirements Table

	A child born in Cabo Verde may be entitled to U.S. citizenship IF:
Child born IN wedlock to two U.S. citizens:	One of the parents had, prior to the birth of the child, been resident in the United States or one of its outlying possessions.  No specific period of time is required.
Child born IN wedlock to one U.S. citizen parent and one non–U.S. citizen parent on or after November 14, 1986	The U.S. citizen parent had been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for five years, at least two years of which were after s/he reached the age of fourteen.
Child born OUT OF wedlock to a U.S. citizen FATHER and non-U.S. citizen mother on or after November 14, 1986	The U.S. citizen father had been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for five years, at least two years of which were after he reached the age of fourteen.  In addition, a U.S. citizen father must acknowledge paternity and agree in writing to provide financial support for the child until s/he reaches the age of 18 years (on the DS-2029 or DS-5507).
Child born OUT OF wedlock to a U.S. citizen MOTHER between November 14, 1986 and June 11, 2017.	The U.S. citizen mother had been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least one year (365 days) at some time prior to the birth of the child.
Child born OUT OF wedlock to a U.S. citizen MOTHER after June 12, 2017.	The U.S. citizen mother had been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for five years, at least two years of which were after she reached the age of fourteen.

NOTE: All periods of residence or physical presence must have taken place prior to the birth of the child.

Examples of Documentation

Some examples of documentary evidence which may be considered to demonstrate that physical presence requirements have been met may include (but are not limited to):

• Wage and tax statements (W-2s)
• Academic transcripts
• Employment records
• Rental receipts
• Records of honorable U.S. military service, employment with U.S. Government or certain intergovernmental international organizations; or as a dependent, unmarried child and member of the household of a parent in such service or employment (except where indicated).
• U.S. passport stamps may be considered a part of the evidence submitted, but should not be the sole documentary evidence. Drivers’ licenses do not constitute evidence of physical presence.

Adopted children or children under age 18 born to U.S. citizens who are not eligible for U.S. citizenship as described above may be eligible under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. Further information is available from the Department of State’s website.