Short answer
US national is the broader legal category. Every US citizen is a national, but some people are noncitizen US nationals, notably in the statutory rules concerning American Samoa and Swains Island. Noncitizen nationals owe allegiance to the US but do not automatically have the full political rights of citizenship, such as voting in federal elections. 1 2
Every US citizen is a US national, but some US nationals are not citizens.
On this page
At a glance
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| Question | US citizen | US national |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship | Subset of US nationals | Includes citizens and noncitizen nationals |
| Federal election vote | May vote if otherwise eligible | Noncitizen national cannot vote |
| Example | Person naturalized as US citizen | Qualifying noncitizen national from American Samoa |
The table summarizes the cited definitions and the article’s stated scope. 1 2
What each thing is
US citizen. A US national who also possesses US citizenship. 1 2
US national. A person owing permanent allegiance to the United States; the category includes citizens and a small group of noncitizen nationals. 1
Key differences
The everyday word nationality often means citizenship, but US law separates them in this narrow context. Statutes define who acquires citizenship and who may acquire noncitizen nationality. A noncitizen national can have a US passport with a status endorsement; passport possession alone does not erase the legal distinction. 1 2
How to tell them apart
If a form asks for citizenship, do not infer it solely from US nationality or a birthplace label. Check the person’s actual status and official documentation. The State Department provides guidance on noncitizen nationality; individual cases can depend on parentage and law in force at birth. 1 2
Where they overlap
Both citizens and noncitizen nationals owe allegiance to the United States and may hold US passports. A qualifying noncitizen national may later pursue naturalization. 1 2
Edge cases
Most US nationals are citizens, so a casual use of “American national” may sound synonymous. Birth in a territory does not produce one universal outcome: statutes and the particular territory matter. This is general information, not a determination of someone’s status. 1 2
Why the distinction exists
The distinction comes from nationality statutes that recognize permanent allegiance without extending citizenship in every situation. It matters for voting, documents and immigration questions. 1 2
Common misconceptions
A noncitizen national is not the same as a lawful permanent resident. Nor does national status automatically grant federal voting eligibility. 1 2
Examples
A person naturalized in a state is a US citizen and national. A person born in American Samoa who meets the relevant statutory rule may be a US national without citizenship. 1 2
Sources
Sources checked October 3, 2026.
- U.S. Department of State — Certificates of Non Citizen Nationality. INA national and noncitizen national definitions.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities. Voting and citizenship.