Healthcare

Citizenship & immigration status questions

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Important update on who can get Marketplace coverage

Due to a recent court order, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and consumers with certain other immigration statuses living in some states are no longer eligible for Marketplace coverage. 

Get details before you apply for coverage.

Are you a United States (U.S.) citizen or U.S. national?

  • U.S. citizen is someone who was born in the US or U.S. territories, or who was born outside the U.S. and:
    • Became naturalized as a U.S. citizen.
    • Derived citizenship through the naturalization of his or her parent(s).
    • Derived citizenship through adoption by U.S. citizen parents, provided certain conditions are met.
    • Acquired citizenship at birth because he or she was born to U.S. citizen parent(s).
    • Became a U.S. citizen by operation of law (a law that allows certain individual's citizenship).
  • U.S. national is someone who’s either a U.S. citizen or owes permanent allegiance to the U.S. In nearly all cases, non-citizen U.S. nationals are people born in American Samoa or abroad with one or more American Samoan parent under certain conditions.
  • Lawfully present non-citizen is someone who has:
    • “Qualified non-citizen” immigration status 
    • Non-citizens who have been granted employment authorization
    • Humanitarian statuses or circumstances (including Temporary Protected Status, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, parolees, and certain applicants for asylum, relief under the Convention Against Torture, or victim of trafficking visas)
    • Valid non-immigrant visas
    • Legal status conferred by other laws (temporary resident status, LIFE Act, Family Unity beneficiaries)

Individuals who are lawfully present non-citizens should answer "no" when asked whether they're a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, then attest "yes" when asked whether they have eligible immigration status.

If you lack eligible immigration status for Marketplace coverage, you may still qualify for Medicaid coverage for emergency medical conditions like labor and delivery if you're having a baby. In some states, pregnant individuals may also be eligible for Medicaid coverage. 

Are you a naturalized or derived citizen?

  • Naturalized citizen:
    • A foreign citizen or national who obtained U.S. citizenship by fulfilling certain requirements established by law. A naturalized citizen wasn’t born in the U.S. and didn’t get U.S. citizenship automatically through his or her relationship to a U.S. citizen.
  • Derived citizen:
    • A person who derives U.S. citizenship through his or her relationship to a U.S. citizen (by operation of law).
    • May be given to children through the naturalization of the children’s parents, through passage of certain laws, or through adoption of foreign-born children by U.S. citizen parents. A person who acquires U.S. citizenship may have a “Certificate of Citizenship” (Form N-560 or N-561).

Document types for naturalized or derived citizens

If you’re a naturalized or derived citizen, select one of these 2 documents in the application to show your status:

If you have a Naturalization Certificate (PDF, 183 KB), you’ll need both of these numbers from your document:

  • Alien number
  • Naturalization Certificate number

If you have a Certificate of Citizenship (PDF, 137 KB), you’ll need both of these numbers from your document:

  • Alien number
  • Certificate of Citizenship number

If you need help finding information on your document, check on the back of the document. Some older documents may not list both numbers.

We can’t electronically verify your status using your U.S. passport, state-issued driver’s license or ID card, or birth certificate. However, if you're a naturalized or derived citizen, and you don’t have a "Naturalization Certificate" or "Certificate of Citizenship," you can still submit an application and get a temporary eligibility determination. Then, you’ll be asked to provide a copy of your other citizenship documentation. You can do this by uploading your document to your Marketplace account or mailing a copy to the Marketplace.

To verify your naturalized citizen status, enter the alien number, which can be found at the top, right-hand corner of the “Certificate of Naturalization” (Form N-550). Also enter the “Certificate of Naturalization” number. The Naturalization Certificate number can be found at the top, right-hand corner of the “Certificate of Naturalization” (Form N-550). Try to find and enter both numbers to make the process go smoother and quicker.

To verify your derived citizenship status, enter the alien number, which can be found at the top, right-hand corner of the “Certificate of Citizenship” (Form N-560 or N-561). Also enter the “Certificate of Citizenship” (Form N-560 or N-561) number. This number can be found at the top, right-hand corner of the “Certificate of Citizenship” (Form N-560 or N-561). Try to find and enter both numbers to make the process go smoother and faster.

Note: The page talks about alien numbers. These numbers are sometimes called “alien registration numbers” or “USCIS numbers.” Alien numbers start with an “A” and end with 7-9 digits.

If you need help completing this section, call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).

More questions about citizenship & immigration status

You may be asked more questions about your citizenship and immigration status, including:

  • If your name on your application is the same name as on your document: If your name on your immigration document is different than what’s shown, select “No,” and enter your name as it’s listed on your document. We’ll use this to check information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Your information won't be used for immigration enforcement purposes. Learn more about immigration document types.
  • If you’ve continuously lived in the U.S. since 1996: If you came to live in the U.S. before August 22, 1996, and have taken trips outside the U.S. for less than 30 days per trip, or less than 90 days total, select “Yes.”
  • If you, your current or deceased spouse, or your parent (if you're an unmarried dependent child) is an honorably discharged veteran or active-duty member of the military: Select the people who are honorably discharged veterans of active-duty members of the military. 
  • The date you were granted your immigration status: Enter the month and year you were granted your most current immigration status.

If you’re not applying for health coverage for yourself, we don’t need information about your citizenship or immigration status.