State citizen
State citizen (legal definition): A citizen of one of the states. Under the Fourteenth Amendment, all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction, are citizens of the United States "and of the State wherein they reside." Article IV, Section 2 entitles the citizens of each state to the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. State constitutions use the term for qualifications such as voting, jury service and public office. The Supreme Court has said that state and national citizenship are distinct, and that "the same person may be at the same time a citizen of the United States and a citizen of a State" (United States v. Cruikshank, 92 U.S. 542, 549 (1876)). Before the Fourteenth Amendment, some states treated immigrants who had declared an intent to naturalize as state citizens and voters. For federal diversity jurisdiction, a person is a citizen of a state only if he or she is a U.S. citizen domiciled there (Newman-Green, Inc. v. Alfonzo-Larrain, 490 U.S. 826, 828 (1989)).
What state citizen means
In practice, you will see state citizen definition in pleadings, motions, orders and court rules. The definition above explains the general meaning. Even so, the meaning can shift with context. Therefore, always read it alongside the rule or document where it appears.
Where state citizen definition comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Citizen, State citizen vs. U.S. citizen.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if state citizen definition appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read state citizen definition in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Spendthrift clause: a trust provision that stops a beneficiary from transferring their interest and stops the beneficiary's creditors from reaching it before it is paid out.
- Standard of review: the level of deference an appellate court gives to the lower court's decision on a particular issue.
- Standing: a party's legal right to bring a claim or ask a court for relief.
- Stare decisis: latin for "to stand by things decided." The doctrine that courts follow precedent.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.