Legal Question in Constitutional Law in Arizona

The Constitution states" Only a natural born citizen can hold the office of President, and no one not having reached the age of thirty five and not been a citizen 14 years can not hold the office of president. "

What does this mean? Only a "natural born citizen" or someone born in another country and "...been a resident 14 years of the United States..." are legally eligible to hold the office of President? Or if some one is born in the U.S.A. then lives in another country until thirty five then returns to the U.S.A. they must first "...be a resident of the U.S.A 14 years..." to eligible to hold the office of President of the U.S.A.


Asked on 2/14/15, 11:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

You've misquoted the relevant language, which is in Article II, Section 1. Here is what it actually says:

"No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States."

The 14-year requirement is for residency, not citizenship. Since children of American citizens are American citizens even if they are born overseas, they can become president after reaching age 35 and after living in the U.S. for 14 years. Similarly, a citizen who was born in the U.S. and then lived overseas (like President Obama) may return and become president after 14 years as a U.S. resident.

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Answered on 2/14/15, 2:12 pm


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