UK dual citizenship questions

[brideofabrit 1]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to decide whether or not to pursue dual citizenship for my son. I'm a U.S. citizen, and my husband is from the U.K. I didn't even realize that dual citizenship was possible until recently. It seems like a lot of immigrants who I've talked to like to register their kids as citizens in their home countries. What are the reasons for doing so? Is it something we should do? And finally, how exactly does one go about doing it?

My husband will be starting the naturalization process soon, and although he doesn't have any qualms about ditching his British citizenship, I think it would be nice if he could maintain that part of his identity. Is there anything special he would need to do to have dual citizenship?

Other than traveling to the UK occasionally, we have no plans to ever settle there permanently...not sure if that influences the decision.

Thanks!

[Inky 1,110]

What if when your son grows up he wants to live there? or go work there or go to school there. Maybe you have no plans to live there but what about his future and his ideas?

[brideofabrit 1]

What if when your son grows up he wants to live there? or go work there or go to school there. Maybe you have no plans to live there but what about his future and his ideas?

My understanding is that dual citizenship expires when he's 18, at which time he would need to reapply for British citizenship. I am wondering what the advantages of registering him as a minor would be.

[Inky 1,110]

Iv never heard of it expiring once you have citizenship, all of my cousins obtained dual US/Canada when they were children and its never " expired " They are well into their 40tys now.

What makes citizenship expire at 18yrs old?

[leahandlucas 15]

What makes citizenship expire at 18yrs old?

People giving other people false doctrine about nationality law???

[Boiler 45,486]

I was wondering the same.

And why would your Husband go to all the time and trouble in relinquishing British Citizenship.

You can register the birth abroad, getting a passport is usually a better bet.

[CareBear 18]

I'm from New Zealand, my husband is a USC and we're expecting our first child. I'm here in the US currently doing my AOS from a K1 visa. When our child is born I fully intend for him to have dual kiwi/US citizenship. If he/she decides in later years that they wish to explore down under a NZ citizenship and passport will give them the opportunity to live and work in either New Zealand or Australia. I plan to also hold dual when it comes to citizenship down the track.

[brideofabrit 1]

My misunderstanding regarding expiration came about due to this, which clearly states that certain forms of citizenship expire at age 18:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/eligibility/children/britishoverseascitizen/

Now I realize that I was looking at the wrong page entirely. I didn't realize that my son is automatically British by descent, nor did I realize that my husband does not relinquish British citizenship when he becomes American. That's why I came here to ASK. Unfortunately the vast majority of you have been thoroughly unhelpful and rude. If I were an expert on immigration law (as you all clearly are), chances are I wouldn't have come here seeking advice. I still don't know how I go about registering my son with the UK, or what, if anything, my husband needs to do once he naturalizes here. Thanks for nothing.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I am trying to decide whether or not to pursue dual citizenship for my son. I'm a U.S. citizen, and my husband is from the U.K. I didn't even realize that dual citizenship was possible until recently. It seems like a lot of immigrants who I've talked to like to register their kids as citizens in their home countries. What are the reasons for doing so? Is it something we should do? And finally, how exactly does one go about doing it?

My husband will be starting the naturalization process soon, and although he doesn't have any qualms about ditching his British citizenship, I think it would be nice if he could maintain that part of his identity. Is there anything special he would need to do to have dual citizenship?

Other than traveling to the UK occasionally, we have no plans to ever settle there permanently...not sure if that influences the decision.

1. There is nothing special your husband has to do to become a dual national (used to be dual citizenship, now dual national). Once he gets his US citizen he now has two citizenships, that's it. Nothing special (I'm dual Aussie/UK). Here is a link to prove that he doesn't lose his UK: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/dualnationality/ (click on the "eligibility" and "children" links on the left as well)

2. I got my UK passport simply by applying for it. I sent off all my supporting paperwork and now have a UK passport. This link talks about other stuff and honestly I didn't read it to in-depth because I did the passport thing, not the "registering" thing: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/eligibility/children/britishcitizen/bornabroad/

As for reasons why, it becomes harder to get the older the child gets (well used to be, and it's not a big deal to do it now while you think about it). A UK passport is a great passport to have. It's actually an EU passport which means they can travel to any place in the European Union without a visa. They could move to Paris, or Italy or whatever else without issue because they're a EU citizen.

Our children will be getting both Aussie and US citizenship. If I were able to get them UK I would but unless I lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years I cannot pass it on (this is because I got mine by descent, like your children will), and I haven't stayed in the UK for that long.

My misunderstanding regarding expiration came about due to this, which clearly states that certain forms of citizenship expire at age 18:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/eligibility/children/britishoverseascitizen/

Now I realize that I was looking at the wrong page entirely. I didn't realize that my son is automatically British by descent, nor did I realize that my husband does not relinquish British citizenship when he becomes American. That's why I came here to ASK. Unfortunately the vast majority of you have been thoroughly unhelpful and rude. If I were an expert on immigration law (as you all clearly are), chances are I wouldn't have come here seeking advice. I still don't know how I go about registering my son with the UK, or what, if anything, my husband needs to do once he naturalizes here. Thanks for nothing.

Sorry I was a bit late hitting enter. my links in my previous post should help you.

Edited January 26, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[brideofabrit 1]

1. There is nothing special your husband has to do to become a dual national (used to be dual citizenship, now dual national). Once he gets his US citizen he now has two citizenships, that's it. Nothing special (I'm dual Aussie/UK). Here is a link to prove that he doesn't lose his UK: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/dualnationality/ (click on the "eligibility" and "children" links on the left as well)

2. I got my UK passport simply by applying for it. I sent off all my supporting paperwork and now have a UK passport. This link talks about other stuff and honestly I didn't read it to in-depth because I did the passport thing, not the "registering" thing: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/eligibility/children/britishcitizen/bornabroad/

As for reasons why, it becomes harder to get the older the child gets (well used to be, and it's not a big deal to do it now while you think about it). A UK passport is a great passport to have. It's actually an EU passport which means they can travel to any place in the European Union without a visa. They could move to Paris, or Italy or whatever else without issue because they're a EU citizen.

Our children will be getting both Aussie and US citizenship. If I were able to get them UK I would but unless I lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years I cannot pass it on, and I haven't stayed in the UK for that long.

Sorry I was a bit late hitting enter. my links in my previous post should help you.

Thank you SO much for answering my questions! You have been very helpful.

[Krikit 1,164]

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