Doing the whole dual citizen thing......

[Cassie 8]

So I am on the verge of pulling the trigger and starting the gathering of the paperwork and stuff for naturalization.

Our plan was always for both of us to eventually get dual citizenship (or at least me) so that we could be in either country without worrying about paperwork. I'm all for that, J is all for that, and I was all gung-ho until the other night when I read the oath I would have to repeat. I mean, really read it.

And I don't think I can do it. I don't think that I can go there and stand up and say:

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen..."

Now I know that Canada doesn't care, I won't lose my Canadian citizenship by doing this, but I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around saying those particular words and meaning it and swearing to it and all that good stuff.

Am I the only one who feels this way? Have any of you guys thought about it?

Your thoughts are welcomed!

[JillA 2]

Just cross your fingers when saying it, and wear a piece of Canadian clothing like Flames did, he wore Canadian socks!

[minnew 4]

You are not the only one to feel this way. I am not even close to that process yet, but have thought about it alot! I guess I have not made up my mind yet about citizenship, I think it will depend on where I am at 5 years from now.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I hear you - I don't know if I can promise to be a good American - I have to say stuff about bearing arms and you wouldn't catch me dead(or alive) touching a firearm.

We will not think less of you either way. i think there are good points to including the US in your citizenship list You aren't becoming less Canadian by doing it - in your heart you know who you are!

It does kind of feel like lying because we all know we don't intend to renounce our Cdn citiszenship.

On the flip side - I recently heard that if I became a US citizen and wanted to get a security clearence (I work in IT) that I would have to renounce my Cdn citizenship officially - ain't happening

[Misty1979 0]

I hear you - I don't know if I can promise to be a good American - I have to say stuff about bearing arms and you wouldn't catch me dead(or alive) touching a firearm.

We will not think less of you either way. i think there are good points to including the US in your citizenship list You aren't becoming less Canadian by doing it - in your heart you know who you are!

It does kind of feel like lying because we all know we don't intend to renounce our Cdn citiszenship.

On the flip side - I recently heard that if I became a US citizen and wanted to get a security clearence (I work in IT) that I would have to renounce my Cdn citizenship officially - ain't happening

Don't worry, it's lies!!! I've been working on my security clearance for the Coast Guard, and at first, they told me the same thing. When I arrived at my first station though, they told me it isn't true. I've submitted the security clearance package already, and didn't once have to sign anything saying I would renounce my citizenship...all I had to sign was a permission form for them to check my background in Canada, which was fine with me

I also hold my Citizenship close to my heart, and can understand why it can be an uncomfortable situation saying those words in the Oath ceremony, but just keep in the back of your mind the whole time that you don't mean it, since you know yourself Canada is your true home

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Thanks for the info!

I hear you - I don't know if I can promise to be a good American - I have to say stuff about bearing arms and you wouldn't catch me dead(or alive) touching a firearm.

We will not think less of you either way. i think there are good points to including the US in your citizenship list You aren't becoming less Canadian by doing it - in your heart you know who you are!

It does kind of feel like lying because we all know we don't intend to renounce our Cdn citiszenship.

On the flip side - I recently heard that if I became a US citizen and wanted to get a security clearence (I work in IT) that I would have to renounce my Cdn citizenship officially - ain't happening

Don't worry, it's lies!!! I've been working on my security clearance for the Coast Guard, and at first, they told me the same thing. When I arrived at my first station though, they told me it isn't true. I've submitted the security clearance package already, and didn't once have to sign anything saying I would renounce my citizenship...all I had to sign was a permission form for them to check my background in Canada, which was fine with me

I also hold my Citizenship close to my heart, and can understand why it can be an uncomfortable situation saying those words in the Oath ceremony, but just keep in the back of your mind the whole time that you don't mean it, since you know yourself Canada is your true home

[Flames9_RN 358]

I'm dual now, but in my min d I' 100% cdn, and whenn people ask, I state I'm cdn, simple as that!!! regarding getting a usa security clearance, I'm not sure, I know a bit, but not something I talk about on a forum on, and will leave it at that. I did find it funny that 1 person thought that if I cancelled my cdn passport, it meant that I was no longer a Cdn citizen, lol let them think that way,lol, I have no problems with Amwricans, etc etc, but I grew up in canada, and consider myself Cdn. cheerio

[Reba 2]

I won't get citizenship either, because I just can't choke out the oath. Even with my fingers crossed and wearing my Canada flag stovepipe hat I couldn't do it!

I honestly don't see any reason to. Nor does my husband.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Wow, I'm really excited that I get to be American in a few years. I love Canada, don't get me wrong, but the US has always had a strange draw for me. I started following American politics when I was 12, and American history shortly after, its always fascinated me. I have my own copy of the Federalist papers, and I've read "Democracy in America" twice In my 3rd year American Government class I ended up correcting the prof several times... He wasn't even an American. No country is perfect, and the US is certainly not void of its flaws, but there are many flaws within Canadian government and the Canadian democracy I certainly don't agree with either. Looking back, its very strange I ended up meeting and falling in love with an American... That certainly wasn't part of my plan. If I had never met Bill I would have lived in Canada my whole life, but things happen for a reason...

Perhaps its easier for me to say this considering I've never actually LIVED in the US. I let you know if I feel the same way next year, after living and adapting to the American way!

[trailmix 77]

I'm dual now, but in my min d I' 100% cdn, and whenn people ask, I state I'm cdn, simple as that!!! regarding getting a usa security clearance, I'm not sure, I know a bit, but not something I talk about on a forum on, and will leave it at that. I did find it funny that 1 person thought that if I cancelled my cdn passport, it meant that I was no longer a Cdn citizen, lol let them think that way,lol, I have no problems with Amwricans, etc etc, but I grew up in canada, and consider myself Cdn. cheerio

Carla's Husband has security clearance - originally she was asked to renounce her Canadian citizenship - however they changed the policy.

[JillA 2]

Honestly, the only reason I would and probably will when the time comes is because we plan on having kids.... and I want to have the same citizenship as my kids and never risk the chance of being deported / having the family split up.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I feel the same way - and I submitted my application for citizenship last week. The cheque cleared today. I thought long and hard as well - and it is the same thing - the oath. I will say the words but in my heart of hearts I will always be Canadian first. If the US didn't make it so darned hard being a PR in the US then it wouldn't be an issue, but like our choice to live in the US, this choice too is for pragmatic reasons. That being said, I fully intend to be a good US citizen but I would be a good citizen in whatever community I live regardless of citizenship - it is just something in which I believe.

So, I too will cross my fingers and toes. I'm thinking of wearing the flag pin that has both the US and Canadian flag together on it as well as that is the true state of affairs. It is not either/or - it is both.

[ashenflowers 5]

Oh wow... I'm no where near the citizenship stage of things, and didn't know that this was the oath that you had to take. I'd probably cry. It would feel like such a betrayal to Canada...

I think I'd want to start yelling Vive le Canada! afterwards... LOL

Edited May 9, 2009 by ashenflowers

[trailmix 77]

Wow, I'm really excited that I get to be American in a few years. I love Canada, don't get me wrong, but the US has always had a strange draw for me. I started following American politics when I was 12, and American history shortly after, its always fascinated me. I have my own copy of the Federalist papers, and I've read "Democracy in America" twice In my 3rd year American Government class I ended up correcting the prof several times... He wasn't even an American. No country is perfect, and the US is certainly not void of its flaws, but there are many flaws within Canadian government and the Canadian democracy I certainly don't agree with either. Looking back, its very strange I ended up meeting and falling in love with an American... That certainly wasn't part of my plan. If I had never met Bill I would have lived in Canada my whole life, but things happen for a reason...

Perhaps its easier for me to say this considering I've never actually LIVED in the US. I let you know if I feel the same way next year, after living and adapting to the American way!

So you will be an American? That is how you will identify yourself?

Interesting - I never would and I am a dual citizen from birth. I don't know that I had a strong sense of 'Canadianess' until I started researching my ancestors (to document my U.S. citizenship).

They loved Canada and I saw it the way they saw it and I read about how hard they worked to live there - it was tough going back in the day

The other difference I find is the 'state of mind' in the U.S. What does not having a universal healthcare system say about a country as a whole, for instance.

It's just different.

Edited May 9, 2009 by trailmix

[JillA 2]

Wow, I'm really excited that I get to be American in a few years. I love Canada, don't get me wrong, but the US has always had a strange draw for me. I started following American politics when I was 12, and American history shortly after, its always fascinated me. I have my own copy of the Federalist papers, and I've read "Democracy in America" twice In my 3rd year American Government class I ended up correcting the prof several times... He wasn't even an American. No country is perfect, and the US is certainly not void of its flaws, but there are many flaws within Canadian government and the Canadian democracy I certainly don't agree with either. Looking back, its very strange I ended up meeting and falling in love with an American... That certainly wasn't part of my plan. If I had never met Bill I would have lived in Canada my whole life, but things happen for a reason...

Perhaps its easier for me to say this considering I've never actually LIVED in the US. I let you know if I feel the same way next year, after living and adapting to the American way!

So you will be an American? That is how you will identify yourself?

Interesting - I never would and I am a dual citizen from birth. I don't know that I had a strong sense of 'Canadianess' until I started researching my ancestors (to document my U.S. citizenship).

They loved Canada and I saw it the way they saw it and I read about how hard they worked to live there - it was tough going back in the day

The other difference I find is the 'state of mind' in the U.S. What does not having a universal healthcare system say about a country as a whole, for instance.

It's just different.

I agree, even when I come to that point and become a US Citizen I will never, ever declare myself or consider myself as American - well except at border crossings LOL!! I will always be Canadian!