Naturalization

Naturalization (/ˌnætʃərəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/) is a legal process where a non-citizen in a country may acquire citizenship or nationality of that country. It may be done by a statute, without any effort on the part of the individual, or it may involve an application and approval by legal authorities. The rules of naturalization vary from country to country and typically include a minimum legal residency requirement.

Etymology

The term "naturalization" originates from the Latin word "natura" meaning birth, and the suffix "-ization" which denotes the action or process of making. Thus, naturalization refers to the process of making someone a citizen or national of a country.

Related Terms

Citizenship: The status of a person recognized under the custom or law of a sovereign state or local jurisdiction.
Immigration: The international movement of people to a destination country of which they are not natives or where they do not possess citizenship in order to settle or reside there.
Nationality: The legal relationship between a person and a state.
Residency: The act of establishing or maintaining a residence in a given place.
Statute: A formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs the legal entities of a city, state, or country by way of consent.