To have Russian citizenship for US born children with Russian mother or not?

[rustevelee 0]

Hi,

We are very happy that my wife is 2 months pregnant and we are debating whether the baby should have Russian citizenship in addition to US citizenship. It is very easy to have Russian citizenship for kid with Russian parent(s). Can do it all in US, no need to go to Russia.

I am more cautious, because there could be obligation that the baby may not want when he/she grows up. Military draft... even US job, career consideration, can a US born citizen with Russian citizenship be American president? diplomat? And other concerns: security clearance ..

My wife thinks it is convenient when traveling and she is Russian.

Am I wrong?

Steve

[visaveteran 1]

Hi,

We are very happy that my wife is 2 months pregnant and we are debating whether the baby should have Russian citizenship in addition to US citizenship. It is very easy to have Russian citizenship for kid with Russian parent(s). Can do it all in US, no need to go to Russia.

I am more cautious, because there could be obligation that the baby may not want when he/she grows up. Military draft... even US job, career consideration, can a US born citizen with Russian citizenship be American president? diplomat? And other concerns: security clearance ..

My wife thinks it is convenient when traveling and she is Russian.

Am I wrong?

Steve

Frist, congratulations!

Second, when your child grows up in the USA, we may be a broken country in many ways. And maybe we'll be as socialistic and dictatorial as Russia is today. So maybe you can just flip a coin.

[baron555 934]

Second, when your child grows up in the USA, we may be a broken country in many ways. And maybe we'll be as socialistic and dictatorial as Russia is today. So maybe you can just flip a coin.

Please stop VV?!

Having a Russian passport will allow for more unfettered travels coming into and around Russia.

Having a US passport will allow for the same entering the US or if you need Embassy help while abroad in any country.

[visaveteran 1]

If you go with Russian citizenship, you must consider that there are two passports, the international one and the internal one. If you choose Russian citizenship, you will probably need to have a Russian address to list for the internal passport.

Also, I am wondering about the ability to vote in the USA if your child is a Russian citizen.

The talk in Russia is that the current one-year military service (draft) will be increased to two or three years...so think about that.

For Baron55...this is an open forum. You're not the monitor of the forum. Stick to your own affairs.

[baron555 934]

If you go with Russian citizenship, you must consider that there are two passports, the international one and the internal one. If you choose Russian citizenship, you will probably need to have a Russian address to list for the internal passport.

Correct on the two passport and correct on the address for the internal.

Also, I am wondering about the ability to vote in the USA if your child is a Russian citizen.

VV-head, the child is born of a USC parent. That means, unless you live in a cave, they are entitled to being a USC automatically. USCs can vote in all elections. Get some education.

The talk in Russia is that the current one-year military service (draft) will be increased to two or three years...so think about that.

For Baron55...this is an open forum. You're not the monitor of the forum. Stick to your own affairs.

Ditto VV. You are more welcome over at the other forum than here. I have already formed my first impression of you, unfortunate as it is, but you may be very learned and very travelled and all that but all I do know is that you constantly berate and negate everything that we all here are trying to keep together as a cohesive unit.

If you have the strength, why are you so anti everything?

[visaveteran 1]

If you go with Russian citizenship, you must consider that there are two passports, the international one and the internal one. If you choose Russian citizenship, you will probably need to have a Russian address to list for the internal passport.

Correct on the two passport and correct on the address for the internal.

Also, I am wondering about the ability to vote in the USA if your child is a Russian citizen.

VV-head, the child is born of a USC parent. That means, unless you live in a cave, they are entitled to being a USC automatically. USCs can vote in all elections. Get some education.

The talk in Russia is that the current one-year military service (draft) will be increased to two or three years...so think about that.

For Baron55...this is an open forum. You're not the monitor of the forum. Stick to your own affairs.

Ditto VV. You are more welcome over at the other forum than here. I have already formed my first impression of you, unfortunate as it is, but you may be very learned and very travelled and all that but all I do know is that you constantly berate and negate everything that we all here are trying to keep together as a cohesive unit.

If you have the strength, why are you so anti everything?

The OP, himself, wondered about running for president, etc. etc. If US citizenship rights for split citizenship were totally obvious, he would not be posting his questions. I don't need any citizenship education because I'm not going to live anywhere but here. Got it, B55-head?

One simple way to avoid me is to not read my posts. You can even block them. That way you're thin-skinned, public defender, PC attitude issues would never flair up again. I mean, after all, my comments were not directed at you, dude. The OP doesn't seem to have any issues...and it's his thread.

[baron555 934]

it's his thread.

No, it's our thread. Obviously you don't seem any kindred towards any of us with our relations to RUB folk.

I'll not go away just because of your rantings. Like I said, there is another forum where your type of comments and attitude are more welcome and germane.

I think you have been a longer poster here than I but my first impression of you continues.

Call me what you want; your self-importantance and self-righteousness is obvious.

No need to belabor that fact.

Hi,

We are very happy that my wife is 2 months pregnant and we are debating whether the baby should have Russian citizenship in addition to US citizenship. It is very easy to have Russian citizenship for kid with Russian parent(s). Can do it all in US, no need to go to Russia.

I am more cautious, because there could be obligation that the baby may not want when he/she grows up. Military draft... even US job, career consideration, can a US born citizen with Russian citizenship be American president? diplomat? And other concerns: security clearance ..

My wife thinks it is convenient when traveling and she is Russian.

Am I wrong?

Steve

To answer the question, which other can't......a US President must be a US citizen. There is no language that says they can not have other citizenships (passports).

[visaveteran 1]

it's his thread.

No, it's our thread. Obviously you don't seem any kindred towards any of us with our relations to RUB folk.

I'll not go away just because of your rantings. Like I said, there is another forum where your type of comments and attitude are more welcome and germane.

I think you have been a longer poster here than I but my first impression of you continues.

Call me what you want; your self-importantance and self-righteousness is obvious.

No need to belabor that fact.

Hi,

We are very happy that my wife is 2 months pregnant and we are debating whether the baby should have Russian citizenship in addition to US citizenship. It is very easy to have Russian citizenship for kid with Russian parent(s). Can do it all in US, no need to go to Russia.

I am more cautious, because there could be obligation that the baby may not want when he/she grows up. Military draft... even US job, career consideration, can a US born citizen with Russian citizenship be American president? diplomat? And other concerns: security clearance ..

My wife thinks it is convenient when traveling and she is Russian.

Am I wrong?

Steve

To answer the question, which other can't......a US President must be a US citizen. There is no language that says they can not have other citizenships (passports).

Then it's my thread too...so how about giving me my part of the thread without all the nonsense...and you get to still have your part too. What could be more fair?

If I address your posts directly, then you can call me on whatever you disagree with in terms of content and facts...but the way in which I choose to deliver my comments is my call, and none of your business. If I am addressing someone else, then I see no reason for you to jump in and start a food fight. I don't see anyone but you making a fuss about a small sarcastic comment which I judge had some merit. I obviously was not trying to insult anyone on the forum.

Don't look now but your ranting...and have driven this silly conversation on and on. I guess you just can't move on to the next topic. Maybe I should be flattered you're so interested in how I comment, even if you're not in the conversation to begin with

A small detail to clear up...I did not and never would invite you to leave...you're too entertaining. I did suggest you block only my posts if they upset you so much. That option is always available.

Calling the kettle black? You have been belaboring this insignificant comment of mine for way too long. I have to think there is more to the story about your reaction to my one sentence comment. Whatever it is, how about giving us all a break and moving on with your Visa Journey life.

[eekee 182]

A US President must also be born on US soil.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Hi,

We are very happy that my wife is 2 months pregnant and we are debating whether the baby should have Russian citizenship in addition to US citizenship. It is very easy to have Russian citizenship for kid with Russian parent(s). Can do it all in US, no need to go to Russia.

I am more cautious, because there could be obligation that the baby may not want when he/she grows up. Military draft... even US job, career consideration, can a US born citizen with Russian citizenship be American president? diplomat? And other concerns: security clearance ..

My wife thinks it is convenient when traveling and she is Russian.

Am I wrong?

Steve

I have heard from Russian men here that the military service can really be a problem. If your child is a boy, and wants to travel to Russia during conscription age, he may have a problem leaving again (without joining the army). The guys who told me this are fifty-ish, and already did their service in the Soviet military, so the information does not come from any recent experience. There are other RUB forum members that have kids that age with Russian citizenship. Maybe one of them could address the current state of the draft for foreign residents.

[eekee 182]

There are ways to get out of military service. Entering into a phd program, for instance. Spreading some money around. Utilizing connections. Etc. But if you had a male and they didn't figure out some way to get out of it--and it may be harder for him to do so, since he would be growing up in the US--he wouldn't be able to go to Russia during the period of military service eligibility without risk of the police finding out and being carted off immediately to basic training.

[visaveteran 1]

A US President must also be born on US soil.

Yes.

But I think there are other issues in actually getting elected to public office...as with any of your personal history and past activities that might effect getting a top secret clearance, support from political parties, winning a local election, etc.

It's hard to predict where the US and Russia will be in the distant future but right now I'd say someone with ties to Russia might have problems getting certain jobs or working for Uncle Sam. And if they did, they'd probably not be allowed any contact with Russia. I have a friend who experienced this situation.

So, while technically he could run for office, even president, how realistic would it be if he's a Russian citizen also? And, inversely, the Russians would probably treat him the same way...with distrust.

[Brad and Vika 129]

There are ways to get out of military service. Entering into a phd program, for instance. Spreading some money around. Utilizing connections. Etc. But if you had a male and they didn't figure out some way to get out of it--and it may be harder for him to do so, since he would be growing up in the US--he wouldn't be able to go to Russia during the period of military service eligibility without risk of the police finding out and being carted off immediately to basic training.

Sounds like the information I have is unfortunately still accurate. It would be a shame to have a child unable to see his relatives because of this.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi,

We are very happy that my wife is 2 months pregnant and we are debating whether the baby should have Russian citizenship in addition to US citizenship. It is very easy to have Russian citizenship for kid with Russian parent(s). Can do it all in US, no need to go to Russia.

I am more cautious, because there could be obligation that the baby may not want when he/she grows up. Military draft... even US job, career consideration, can a US born citizen with Russian citizenship be American president? diplomat? And other concerns: security clearance ..

My wife thinks it is convenient when traveling and she is Russian.

Am I wrong?

Steve

If the child is eligible for citizenship in Russia also I see absolutely NO downside to it. Russian citizens have travel privileges to some countries we do not, fo rexample I need a visa for Russia, my Ukrainian wife does not.

If he was born in the United States he can be president, and for that advice I would like to be his Secretary oif State. The USA does not "recognize" other citizenships, nor does it prohibit them. To the USA your sonw will always, and ONLY, be a US citizen. One could imagine a number of things I suppose, but security clearances and such will be based on his performance in life. Permanent residents can serve in the military, our son a permanent has registered for the draft as required by all 18 year old citizens or permanent residents.

I think having both citizenships will not hurt and will do nothing but offer more opportunity in the future for your child. What can be wrong with that? I would also strongly suggest that you teach him Russian also. Every adult ought to be comfortable with at least two languages, in my opinion. One of them needs to be English. Our sons score tops in their English classes as well as Russian. I just beleive any opportunity should be given to your children that you can, more arrows inthe quiver are a good thing.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi,

We are very happy that my wife is 2 months pregnant and we are debating whether the baby should have Russian citizenship in addition to US citizenship. It is very easy to have Russian citizenship for kid with Russian parent(s). Can do it all in US, no need to go to Russia.

I am more cautious, because there could be obligation that the baby may not want when he/she grows up. Military draft... even US job, career consideration, can a US born citizen with Russian citizenship be American president? diplomat? And other concerns: security clearance ..

My wife thinks it is convenient when traveling and she is Russian.

Am I wrong?

Steve

I have heard from Russian men here that the military service can really be a problem. If your child is a boy, and wants to travel to Russia during conscription age, he may have a problem leaving again (without joining the army). The guys who told me this are fifty-ish, and already did their service in the Soviet military, so the information does not come from any recent experience. There are other RUB forum members that have kids that age with Russian citizenship. Maybe one of them could address the current state of the draft for foreign residents.

I can comment on Ukraine. Our son will be permanently excused from Ukrainian compulsary service when he registers as a US permanent resident in Ukraine, and shows that he has registered for the draft in the USA. He has all the documents needed and we have verified this with the Ukrainian military board. He currently has a student deferment until 2013. On his next visit to Donetsk (he is in school in Moscow now) he will file all the necessary papers. Russia may have a similar policy.

In the case of the OP, his son is (or will be) a native born US citizen. The US will always look at him in this way and no other. Anyone in Russia snatching him off the street to serve in the Russian military is going to have serious issues with the US state department. That said, no one wants to be the center of an international incident, so just register him as a US permanent resident and I think you will have no problems. At any rate it would be too soon to say now and he could alway renounce a Russian citizenship...or serve in their military. Why not? I know a lot of people that did their two years and they are no worse for wear.

I do not see it being a political issue in the future, although, who knows what would come up in an election. Were I running for President it would be at the top of my resume..."Mother is Russian, I am citizen of both!" Case closed. Certainly it isn't worse than using illegal drugs and we elected a guy that did that! Lots of political issues are really non-issues until someone tries to hide them.

Your son's future chance of being president is 1 in 300,000,000, maybe 1 in 400,000,000 by the time he is age 35. His odds of benefiting from travel privileges and work opportunities are much better than that. I would NEVER pass a chance to give my children every opportunity I could.