dual citizenship

[NatalieC 1]

hey all, it has been forever since i have been here, but in filling out my naturalization papers, ive come across a question.

I want to retain my Canadian citizenship. I know the oath specifically states you renounce your connections to any other country.

On the form, there are 2 questions.

Part 10 , section H

Q35 says "do you understand the full oath of allegiance of the united states." I checked Yes.

Q36 is "are you willing to take the full oath of allegiance of the united states" I've checked No.

on my extra paper, i have written something to the tune of "I want to have dual citizenship and do not want to give up my Canadian Citizenship. i do not wish to say ' i absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegience ... yadda yadda yadda. "

im wondering if this is necessary at all.

are there any other Canadians here that have successfully filed for American citizenship getting dual, while checking Yes in that box?

is checking No ok as long as i say it is because i want dual citizenship?

thanks for any help!

[payxibka 10,045]

you need an answer specific to Canada... moving thread to regional forum

[NatalieC 1]

you need an answer specific to Canada... moving thread to regional forum

Thanks didnt know if that was appropriate since others would / could still know that answer/ also apply for dual citizenship(unless canada is the only country where you can do that now....)

[payxibka 10,045]

you don't apply for dual nationality... the question is will you retain your Canadian citizenship... so it is not a US citizen question per se, but one specific to your Canadian citizenship...

Edited April 3, 2011 by payxibka

[Anh map 2,098]

No one applies for dual citizenship. You are applying for US citizenship.

The US doesn't encourage dual nationals, but does recognize that it exists.

FWIW see this from the State Dept. website >> http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

[NatalieC 1]

the question is will you retain your Canadian citizenship... so it is not a US citizen question per se, but one specific to your Canadian citizenship...

i sort of disagree. the answers i get from people help me finish filling out my citizenship papers-- any person wishing to retain their original citizenship (that is allowed) would technically be able to answer this question. I wont be mailing the papers off until im confident in my yes/no answer.

However ive phrased my original post a bit oddly. If had a rough day of paperwork and my brain is not working quite right at the moment.

Either way, i hope i can get some good answers and appreciate you moving the thread. Have a great night!

[Flames9_RN 358]

To loose (renounce)your Cdn Citizenship one actually has to fill out a form and pay$$$$ http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/renounce-how.asp

so even though during the Naturalization ceremony you renounce other citizenships, in the case of Canada, one does NOT!! Quite simply the USA sees you just as a USA citizen. Canada sees you as a Cdn and USA citizen!!

I'm fairly confident i put yes to both.

Edited April 3, 2011 by Flames9_RN

[payxibka 10,045]

i sort of disagree. the answers i get from people help me finish filling out my citizenship papers-- any person wishing to retain their original citizenship (that is allowed) would technically be able to answer this question. I wont be mailing the papers off until im confident in my yes/no answer.

However ive phrased my original post a bit oddly. If had a rough day of paperwork and my brain is not working quite right at the moment.

Either way, i hope i can get some good answers and appreciate you moving the thread. Have a great night!

You need to fully understand the USA's stance on dual nationality...

[NatalieC 1]

FWIW see this from the State Dept. website >> http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

yes i realize that, i never mentioned i was applying for dual citizenship, just that i wanted to retain my CND and become a dual citizen.

And thanks for the link! Exactly the type of article i was looking for!

To loose (renounce)your Cdn Citizenship one actually has to fill out a form and pay$$$$ http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/renounce-how.asp

so even though during the Naturalization ceremony you renounce other citizenships, in the case of Canada, one does NOT!! Quite simply the USA sees you just as a USA citizen. Canada sees you as a Cdn and USA citizen!!

I'm fairly confident i put yes to both.

perfect, thank you! I didnt realize you had to pay to renounce. Silly me and taking the words id have to say for what they sounded like they meant!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Checking 'no' is not okay if you wish to gain US citizenship. You need to check yes. If you don't you will not be granted US citizenship.

The important thing to remember is that the US does not officially recognize dual citizenship so you are not applying for dual citizenship. You are applying for US citizenship only. Once granted, the US will recognize you as a US citizen only.

The other important piece of information, however, is that Canada does not recognize the US Oath of citizenship as renouncing Canadian citizenship. Canada does officially recognize dual - or more - citizenship, so once you accept American citizenship, to Canada you are both a Canadian and an American citizen. The only way to renounce your Canadian citizenship in a way that Canada recognizes is to file an official Canadian immigration document renouncing your Canadian citizenship with CIC and having them approve it. Without taking that step, no oath in any other country no matter what the words, will stop you from being a Canadian. Only Canada is able to grant you Canadian citizenship and only Canada is able to remove it. The US can't, however, they do ask that anyone applying for US citizenship take the oath renouncing former allegiances in the view that you cannot serve 2 masters.

The choice is, ultimately, your own. This is something many Canadians have had to deal with, including me. I disliked some of the words of the US Oath of Allegiance - not because I was any less committed to fulfilling my obligations as a US citizen - but because I do not see a conflict in having citizenship in both countries. I am choosing to add the US citizenship to who I am, not taking away my Canadian citizenship from who I am. This, in its very essence, defines the major difference between the two countries: for the US everything is black and white - either/or - for us or agin' us, win-lose; in Canada we understand that there are varying degrees of gray, that you give a little and take a little, and that things don't have to be win-lose - they can be win-win instead.

If you want US citizenship you need to answer yes to that question. Only you can decide if you are able to honour two masters - the US and Canada.

[Flames9_RN 358]

yes i realize that, i never mentioned i was applying for dual citizenship, just that i wanted to retain my CND and become a dual citizen.

And thanks for the link! Exactly the type of article i was looking for!

perfect, thank you! I didnt realize you had to pay to renounce. Silly me and taking the words id have to say for what they sounded like they meant!

There are many that have dual or more Nationalities!! Just keep in mind the USA will only see you as a USA citizen. So when you enter the USA from another country, you have to provide ur USA passport

[NatalieC 1]

You need to fully understand the USA's stance on dual nationality...

sigh, i do.

anyhow, i got my answer, and appreciate all of the help and how quickly it came about!

The choice is, ultimately, your own. This is something many Canadians have had to deal with, including me. I disliked some of the words of the US Oath of Allegiance - not because I was any less committed to fulfilling my obligations as a US citizen - but because I do not see a conflict in having citizenship in both countries. I am choosing to add the US citizenship to who I am, not taking away my Canadian citizenship from who I am. This, in its very essence, defines the major difference between the two countries: for the US everything is black and white - either/or - for us or agin' us, win-lose; in Canada we understand that there are varying degrees of gray, that you give a little and take a little, and that things don't have to be win-lose - they can be win-win instead.

If you want US citizenship you need to answer yes to that question. Only you can decide if you are able to honour two masters - the US and Canada.

thank you kathryn, well said. my packet is getting sealed up and mailed monday

[payxibka 10,045]

sigh, i do.

now maybe, but I don't think you did, because if you had, you would have understood how both those questions needed to be answered on your petition in relationship to obtaining US citizenship.

[NatalieC 1]

There are many that have dual or more Nationalities!! Just keep in mind the USA will only see you as a USA citizen. So when you enter the USA from another country, you have to provide ur USA passport

thanks! i knew this one, that id need my Canadian one for entering and and the US one to enter back in the USA.

[Flames9_RN 358]

thanks! i knew this one, that id need my Canadian one for entering and and the US one to enter back in the USA.

You can use the USA passport to enter Canada as well. Not every one keeps two passports.