Under U.S. laws, children may obtain U.S. citizenship other than through birth in the United States.1 In general, persons born outside of the United States, including adopted children, may obtain U.S. citizenship after birth, before the age of 18, through a U.S. citizen parent. Some children immigrating based on adoption automatically acquire U.S. citizenship upon their admission to the United States as lawful permanent residents. Others do not, and their adoptive parents need to take additional steps before an adopted child turns 18 years of age for the child to obtain U.S. citizenship through the adoptive parent(s). Adoptees who do not obtain citizenship through their adoptive parents before turning 18 may be eligible to apply for naturalization after the age of 18. USCIS issued new policies clarifying guidance on citizenship and naturalization policy for adopted foreign born children.