Citizenship facts for kids

Citizenship is a legal connection between a person and a country. It's like being an official member of a country. Usually, this country is where you were born, live, and support. In return, the country offers you protection and certain rights.

Most people are citizens of the country where they were born. However, sometimes a person might apply to become a citizen of a different country. This process is called naturalization. Some countries let people have dual (two) citizenship, meaning they are citizens of two countries at once. Other countries do not allow this.

What is a Citizen?

A citizen is a member of an independent group of people who have special rights. Governments are supposed to protect these rights. Sometimes, governments might remove people's citizenship. Rules about this are different in every country.

• Born in the country: People born in a country can become citizens by Jus soli. This Latin phrase means "right of soil." It means you get citizenship just by being born there. If your parents are citizens, you might be a natural born citizen.
• Family connection: Some countries also recognize Jus sanguinis. This Latin phrase means "right of blood." It means you can inherit citizenship from your parents. In some cases, you can even get it from a grandparent or other family members. This helps people who live outside their home country stay connected.
• Becoming a new citizen: People from other countries can become citizens through naturalization. This makes them full citizens of their new country. Many countries require new citizens to give up their old citizenship. But some countries have permanent citizenship, meaning you cannot easily quit it.
• Dual citizens: People who are citizens of more than one country are called dual citizens. Both governments must approve this. Dual citizens can legally enter and live in either country.
• Stateless persons: A person who has no citizenship is called a stateless person. This can happen for many reasons. For example, during wars, if people are refugees, or if their birth was never officially recorded. It can also happen if someone is born in a place not recognized as a country. Some countries are very helpful in giving stateless people citizenship. Others are not. This is a known problem, but there is no easy solution for everyone.
• Losing citizenship: Citizenship is usually permanent. However, some countries can take away citizenship for different reasons. Also, some citizens choose to give up their citizenship themselves.

Citizenship in Canada

People born in Canada automatically become citizens of the country. This happens by Jus soli, even if their parents are not Canadian citizens.

In 2018, the New York Times reported on "birth tourism" in Canada. This is when mothers travel to Canada just to give birth there. About 20% of babies born in Richmond Hospital in Richmond, British Columbia, were born to mothers involved in this. These babies automatically get Canadian citizenship.

Citizenship in the European Union

Citizenship in the United States

Images for kids

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  In ancient Greece, people feared being enslaved. This fear helped shape their idea of citizenship. This sculpture shows a Greek woman with a slave child.

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  This is a portrait of Dred Scott. He was a key figure in a famous court case in the United States. This painting was made for the Missouri Historical Society in 1888.

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  A citizenship ceremony happening on a beach in Cooktown, Queensland, in 2012.

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  This diagram shows how citizens, politicians, and laws are connected.

See also

In Spanish: Ciudadano para niños