### Question
What is the definition of child?


### Answer
The definition of **child** is as follows in *8 U.S.C. § 1101*:

> an unmarried person under twenty-one years of age and includes a child legitimated under the law of the child's residence or domicile, or under the law of the father's residence or domicile, whether in the United States or elsewhere, and, except as otherwise provided in sections 1431 and 1432 [7](#1101_7_target) of this title, a child adopted in the United States, if such legitimation or adoption takes place before the child reaches the age of 16 years (except to the extent that the child is described in subparagraph (E)(ii) or (F)(ii) of subsection (b)(1) of this section), and the child is in the legal custody of the legitimating or adopting parent or parents at the time of such legitimation or adoption

#### Citation:
  - *8 U.S.C. § 1101*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 12-IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY > SUBCHAPTER I-GENERAL PROVISIONS**

