A person may automatically acquire citizenship at birth by being born in the United States or to U.S. citizen parents, but naturalization requires meeting eligibility requirements and filing an application.

Citizenship is the legal status of being recognized as a member of a country with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it, such as voting, carrying a U.S. passport, and receiving protection abroad. Naturalization, on the other hand, is the legal process by which a non-citizen becomes a U.S. citizen after meeting certain eligibility requirements, including residency, good moral character, and passing English and civics tests.