Naturalized mum, UK kids

[Ffreddie 0]

Hi,

Wonder if anyone can help. I tried to get US passports for my kids in the UK but can't proove my 5 years residency in USA so was refused. However a clerk at the Embassy told me if I went to the USA, the kids would be considered US citizens the minute they crossed the boarder. Can anyone confirm this?

Also, if this is so, would I be able to go and get them a US passport while we're there?

Thanks for any help,

F

ps. The resaon I want to do this is we need to run away from their abusive (UK cisitzen)dad, so any ideas about bypassing the 2 parent consent would be appreciated too.

[Laure&Colin 558]

Hi,

Wonder if anyone can help. I tried to get US passports for my kids in the UK but can't proove my 5 years residency in USA so was refused. However a clerk at the Embassy told me if I went to the USA, the kids would be considered US citizens the minute they crossed the boarder. Can anyone confirm this?

Also, if this is so, would I be able to go and get them a US passport while we're there?

Thanks for any help,

F

ps. The resaon I want to do this is we need to run away from their abusive (UK cisitzen)dad, so any ideas about bypassing the 2 parent consent would be appreciated too.

You need to be very careful, running away to another country with your kids without their father's consent is abducting them, you're facing a hell lot of trouble... You should really talk to a lawyer.

[forgivennt4saken 16]

Hi,

Wonder if anyone can help. I tried to get US passports for my kids in the UK but can't proove my 5 years residency in USA so was refused. However a clerk at the Embassy told me if I went to the USA, the kids would be considered US citizens the minute they crossed the boarder. Can anyone confirm this?

Also, if this is so, would I be able to go and get them a US passport while we're there?

Thanks for any help,

F

ps. The resaon I want to do this is we need to run away from their abusive (UK cisitzen)dad, so any ideas about bypassing the 2 parent consent would be appreciated too.

When you say UK kids, do you mean that is where they currently live or that is where they were born? Also if you do not mind me asking, did you obtain naturalization before or after they were born?

[Ffreddie 0]

When you say UK kids, do you mean that is where they currently live or that is where they were born? Also if you do not mind me asking, did you obtain naturalization before or after they were born?

I was Naturalized way before they were born. We currently live and they were born in the UK.

[forgivennt4saken 16]

You need to be very careful, running away to another country with your kids without their father's consent is abducting them, you're facing a hell lot of trouble... You should really talk to a lawyer.

Correct. The only way around the consent rule is if dad was currently incarcerated then you can have a judge grant you lone custody.

[Ffreddie 0]

You need to be very careful, running away to another country with your kids without their father's consent is abducting them, you're facing a hell lot of trouble... You should really talk to a lawyer.

Not helpful - and abducting vs protecting depends on which side of the fence you are sitting. I'm looking for citizenship advice, not moral admonishment.

[forgivennt4saken 16]

I was Naturalized way before they were born. We currently live and they were born in the UK.

So technically you were a USC when they were born? do you have Dual-citizenship?

[Ffreddie 0]

So technically you were a USC when they were born? do you have Dual-citizenship?

Yes - British and US. The kids have UK passports at the moment - I have both.

[Laure&Colin 558]

Not helpful - and abducting vs protecting depends on which side of the fence you are sitting. I'm looking for citizenship advice, not moral admonishment.

You don't understand, this is no moral judgement, this is warning you that what you're planning will get you in very deep trouble legally speaking, including an entry in the Interpol database of abducted children.

Taking children to another country without the other parent's consent is considered abduction by both UK and the USA as they both signed the 1980 Hague convention on children abduction, even though they are US citizens. Whether the parent is abusive must be affirmed by a judge, it does not automatically allow you to take them away.

You must follow the legal route here, the risk is too high that you take your kids with you to the US, and then one day you end up detained and the children are sent back to their father in the UK.

You MUST seek help from an attorney in the UK, this is vital in your situation.

[Ffreddie 0]

Ok, thank you everyone for your concern about my private life - For your information I do already have a handle on that and merely added a PS looking for an easier way around IF anyone knew of one. I would be grateful if no further messages about the morality or legality of removing my kids from harm were posted.

If you have any information on whether if I went to the USA, the kids would be considered US citizens the minute they crossed the border, and if this is so, would I be able to go and get them a US passport while we're there, I would love to hear it.

[ceadsearc 516]

Do you have 5 years of US residency after age 14? That's still required for your kids to be considered citizens.

You won't be able to get an American passport without their father's consent or permission from a judge, though, even if they do meet citizenship requirements.

Here are the rules on citizenship for children of USCs: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=8554a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=8554a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

I don't know if this information helps.... http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=32dffe9dd4aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=32dffe9dd4aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

As for proving that you had residence in the US for at least 5 years, did you attend school here?? Maybe get in touch with the school system you attended?? How long ago did you leave the US?? Did you have bills in your name if you were an adult? It doesn't read very clearly....and I don't know if I would trust the clerk at the embassy. Maybe consult with an immigration attorney?

I'm sorry you're finding yourself in this position. I'm sure no one is judging but really just wanting to be sure you protect yourself and your kids legally.

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Do you have 5 years of US residency after age 14? That's still required for your kids to be considered citizens.

You won't be able to get an American passport without their father's consent or permission from a judge, though, even if they do meet citizenship requirements.

Here are the rules on citizenship for children of USCs: http://www.uscis.gov...000b92ca60aRCRD

Its actually 5 years total with AT LEAST 2 years after the age of 14.

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

OP.....I found this

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/ChildCitizenshipAct_022701.pdf

Hope it helps.

[ceadsearc 516]

Its actually 5 years total with AT LEAST 2 years after the age of 14.

You're right, my apologies!

Edited February 27, 2012 by ceadsearc