PRIA Logo™
119-s-5191119th Congress

Citizenship for International Adoptees Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Lee, Mike [R-UT]

Introduced

Summary

Automatic citizenship for many people born abroad who were internationally adopted by U.S. citizens. This bill would create a new pathway so qualifying adopted persons born outside the United States can acquire U.S. citizenship 120 days after the law takes effect and then apply to the Department of Homeland Security for a certificate of citizenship.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Automatic U.S. citizenship for adoptees

This bill would make certain people born abroad who were adopted by U.S. citizens automatic U.S. citizens 120 days after enactment. To qualify, you would have to have been adopted by a U.S. citizen and admitted to the United States for adoption before age 18, meet the child-related requirements in INA section 101(b)(1)(E), (F), or (G), and have a final U.S. adoption with the citizen parent and be in that parent’s legal and physical custody before age 18. You must not already have U.S. citizenship and you must have been physically present in the United States on the date of enactment. The Secretary of Homeland Security would issue a certificate of citizenship on application showing these facts. People who lack good moral character, are inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds, or have certain convictions — including certain gang activity, domestic violence, sexual abuse or exploitation (including sexually explicit conduct involving minors), or burglary — would be ineligible. For specified inadmissibility exceptions, the government would have to prove by clear and convincing evidence that you did not reasonably believe you were a U.S. citizen.

Lower fee for citizenship certificate

If enacted, the Secretary of Homeland Security would have to charge no more than half the current Form N-600 fee for certificate of citizenship applications filed under this section. The fee cap would take effect 120 days after enactment. This would reduce the out-of-pocket cost for eligible adoptees who apply for the certificate.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lee, Mike [R-UT]

UT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 7/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation