Both Naturalization and Citizenship can give the same result in the long term, but they are not the same types of processes. A Citizenship Certificate can be given to a child born in a foreign country if their parents have U.S. Citizenship. For the Naturalization process(for those older than the age of 18), one must have a green card for five years or three years if they are married to a U.S. citizen, then they can apply for naturalization. Naturalization for the residents gives them the right to vote and they cannot legally be deported from the country.