A person may not be considered a citizen of a country for several reasons, even if they might claim to be. Here’s how each option relates to citizenship:
-
The person tells others they are a citizen of the country: Simply claiming to be a citizen does not make someone a citizen. Citizenship is defined by legal status rather than self-identification.
-
Their parent is a citizen of the country: Depending on the laws of the country in question, having a parent who is a citizen may confer citizenship (this is often referred to as "jus sanguinis" or "right of blood"). However, there are cases where this may not automatically make the person a citizen.
-
They have applied for citizenship: Applying for citizenship does not grant citizenship. A person must go through a legal process, which may include meeting certain criteria and receiving approval.
-
The person was born in the country: Many countries grant citizenship to individuals born within their territory ("jus soli" or "right of soil"), but this is not universal. Some countries have different rules regarding citizenship based on the circumstances of the birth (for example, if the parents are not citizens themselves).
In summary, just claiming citizenship or being born in a country does not guarantee citizenship, as legal recognition is necessary for formal citizenship status.