U.S. Constitution · Article II, Section 1, Clause 5
Natural Born Citizen Clause; Presidential Qualifications Clause
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Also known as: Natural Born Citizen Clause · Presidential Qualifications Clause
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The text
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
National Archives transcription (public domain; original spelling and capitalization). archives.gov
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In the founders’ words
- “It is indispensable, too, that the president should be a natural born citizen of the United States; or a citizen at the adoption of the constitution, and for fourteen years before his election. This permission of a naturalized citizen to become president is an exception from the great fundamental policy of all governments, to exclude foreign influence from their executive councils and duties.” Joseph Story, Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, sections 1472-73 (1833-01-01)
- “Considering the nature of the duties, the extent of the information, and the solid wisdom and experience required in the executive department, no one can reasonably doubt the propriety of some qualification of age.” Joseph Story, Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, sections 1472-73 (1833-01-01)
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Cite this page
Values for America Constitution Explorer, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution (text: National Archives transcription, public domain), Article II, Section 1, Clause 5, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution/article-2/section-1/clause-5
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