I am a united states citizen by birth. If I adopt a foreign national, does that automatically give the adoptee citizenship in the United States ??

In adopting a foreign national, you would have to go through a process with U.S.C.I.S. and usually US consulate overseas if the child is located in another country. Orphans from most countries would have to be adopted in accordance with the Hague convention. Otherwise they must be adopted by the age of 16, and you would have to be able to establish both legal and physical custody for two years prior to submitting a petition to U.S.C.I.S.Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.