Legal Question in Constitutional Law in Washington

US Constitution: Article II Section 1 - Proving Citizenship

I am a natural born citizen, born in Asia to parents who were/are US citizens. My father was born and raised in the US and my mother was naturalized. I fulfill the requirements to run for president but I do not know how to prove this part.

My question is:

How does one who is born outside of the US and its territories prove that both his/her parents were citizens and fulfill the requirements as stated in Article II Section 1 Clause 5 of the constitution?


Asked on 10/07/04, 10:08 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Amir John Showrai The Pacific Law Firm, PLLC

Re: US Constitution: Article II Section 1 - Proving Citizenship

Article II Section 1 Clause 5 uses the term "natural born Citizen" to mean someone born in the United States or its territories. The next phrase is, "or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution." This means, if you were born outside the United States before the Constitution was ratified, you were still eligible to run for President. If you were born outside the United States after the Constitution was ratified, in Asia for example, even if you were born to two US Citizen parents, you are ineligible to run for President of the United States.

This is why the "Terminator" Amendment is gaining ground in some circles, to allow people such as Gov. Schwarzenegger to eventually run for President. Perhaps you and the terminator can be running mates? I hope this explanation helps.

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Answered on 10/07/04, 8:23 pm


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