Born Outside the U.S.? Your Child Can Still Qualify

Yes, Children Born Abroad Can Qualify

If your child was born outside the United States but is a U.S. citizen, they qualify for a Trump Account. The IRS does not care where your child was born. The three eligibility requirements are:

1. The child is a U.S. citizen.
2. The child has a valid Social Security number (not an ITIN).
3. The child is under 18 at the end of the election year.

Notice what is not on the list: place of birth. A child born in London, Seoul, Mexico City, or anywhere else qualifies — as long as they are a U.S. citizen with an SSN.

How Children Born Abroad Become U.S. Citizens

There are several ways a child born outside the U.S. can be a U.S. citizen:

Citizenship at Birth (Most Common)

A child born abroad to U.S. citizen parents may acquire citizenship automatically at birth. The rules depend on the parents' citizenship and how long they lived in the U.S. before the child was born:

• Both parents are U.S. citizens: The child is a citizen at birth if at least one parent lived in the U.S. at any point before the birth.
• One parent is a U.S. citizen, one is not: The U.S. citizen parent must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 5 years before the child's birth, with at least 2 of those years after age 14.

If your child acquired citizenship at birth, you can document it with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Naturalization

Children born abroad who are not citizens at birth may later become citizens through naturalization — for example, if they are adopted by U.S. citizen parents (see the adopted children guide) or if a parent naturalizes while the child is under 18.

Getting an SSN for a Child Born Abroad

To open a Trump Account, your child needs a Social Security number. Here is how to get one for a child born outside the U.S.:

1. At the embassy or consulate: When you apply for the CRBA, you can request an SSN at the same time. This is the easiest route.
2. After returning to the U.S.: Visit a local Social Security Administration office with the child's CRBA or U.S. passport, plus evidence of age and identity.

Once you have the CRBA and SSN, you can file IRS Form 4547 with your U.S. tax return or through trumpaccounts.gov.

The $1,000 Pilot Deposit

The federal $1,000 pilot deposit is available to children born abroad on the same basis as everyone else. The only question is birth year:

• Born 2025–2028: Eligible for the $1,000 deposit.
• Born before 2025 or after 2028: Can still open the account, but no federal deposit.

Birth location does not affect the deposit. A baby born in 2025 in Tokyo gets the same $1,000 as a baby born in Texas.

Children Born in U.S. Territories

Children born in U.S. territories are generally U.S. citizens at birth. This includes:

• Puerto Rico
• Guam
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Northern Mariana Islands
• American Samoa (note: people born in American Samoa are U.S. nationals, not citizens, by statute — though this is an evolving legal area)

If your child was born in a U.S. territory and is a U.S. citizen with an SSN, they qualify for a Trump Account on the same terms as any other U.S. citizen child.

Military Families Stationed Overseas

If you are in the U.S. military and your child was born at an overseas base or hospital, your child is a U.S. citizen (assuming you meet the citizenship transmission requirements). Military families can:

• Obtain a CRBA through the base's legal assistance office or nearest embassy/consulate.
• Apply for an SSN through the embassy or when returning to the U.S.
• File IRS Form 4547 with their U.S. tax return, which military families file regardless of where they are stationed.

Foreign Tax Considerations

If you live abroad, be aware that your country of residence may have its own rules about foreign investment accounts. The Trump Account is a U.S.-based account, but your local tax authority may require you to report it.

For a deeper look at this topic, see our guide on What Happens if You Move Abroad?

Step-by-Step: Opening a Trump Account for a Child Born Abroad

1. Confirm citizenship. Obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
2. Get an SSN. Apply at the embassy (with the CRBA) or at a Social Security office in the U.S.
3. File IRS Form 4547. Include it with your U.S. tax return or use trumpaccounts.gov when available.
4. Start contributing. Up to $5,000/year from family, plus up to $2,500/year from an employer.

For detailed filing instructions, see How to Open a Trump Account. For general eligibility rules, visit Who Qualifies for a Trump Account? You can also check our eligibility FAQ for quick answers.