713-9          FOREIGN BORN CHILDREN ADOPTED BY U.S. CITIZENS

Under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, a foreign born child under age 18 who has been legally adopted by at least one U.S. citizen parent automatically becomes a U.S. citizen when the legal adoption is finalized. Most of the time, a parent will be able to verify the U.S. citizenship of their child by producing a U.S. birth certificate.

Once a U.S. citizen, the five-year waiting period no longer applies. However, until the legal adoption is finalized, a foreign born child who arrives after 8/22/96 is subject to the 5 year waiting period.

Effective January 1, 2004, a new entrant (IR-3) program was implemented, which focuses on newly entering orphans with full and final adoptions abroad. Under this new program, these children will automatically receive a Certificate of Citizenship within 45 days of entry into the U.S.