how to acquire dual citizenship?

[blindsquirrel 1]

Hi everybody,

I hope you can help direct me on my concerns. First of all:

I was born in S.Korea in 1960. When I was around 4 years old my mother married my stepfather who adopted me and who was a U.S. soldier. I remember we went to the State of Michigan after we left Korea when I was around 4-5 and my mother was naturalized as a U.S. citizen and since I was a child, I too was naturalized at the same time.

Am I a U.S. citizen? I don't believe I have a U.S. birth certificate. I tried contacting the city in Michigan and they have no records of me. Also how can I pursue dual citizenship with the country of Korea? I am in the family registry in Korea, but am now over 50 years old and have lived in the U.S. my whole life from the age of 4-5.

Thank you,

blindsquirrel

[canadian_wife 1,829]

You said you were naturalized....do you have a naturalization certificate?

Good luck

PS - have you thought about contacting the Korean consulate to inquire about citizenship?

[Moomin 292]

Silly question: Do you have a US passport?

[blindsquirrel 1]

Hi,

Thank you for your replies. I had some form of document, I think it was a naturalization certificate. I have lost it many years ago. I inquired in the State which I acquired it, Michigan. They tell me they have no record of me? Also the only passport I have is one that included my mother when I was a child. I have not traveled abroad since coming to the States as a child. It was her passport I assume with me included, is this right? or is that considered my passport as well?

Thank you,

blindsquirrel

[let-it-be 36]

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Edited July 13, 2012 by let-it-be

[let-it-be 36]

The information below is from this link: http://seoul.usembas...v/acs_dual.html

Korean Nationality

Laws establishing one's claim to citizenship can be complex, and differ significantly from country to country. For information on other possible claims of nationality you should direct your queries to the appropriate country's embassy or representatives. This includes instances where your American Citizen child has a Korean parent. The child may have acquired Korean nationality at birth, though the final determination would rest with the Korean authorities. Begin by contacting the Korean government's Department of Nationality of the Immigration Bureau at 02-653-0462 (Korean language only).

The Government of the Republic of Korea does not permit dual citizenship after the age of 21. American citizens of Korean descent who hold dual citizenship under South Korean law and work or study in South Korea are usually compelled by the Republic of Korea to choose one or the other nationality soon after reaching that age.

In addition, South Korean men over the age of 18, including American citizens of Korean descent, are subject to compulsory military service. A dual national may not be allowed to abandon his ROK nationality until he finishes his military service, or has received a special exemption from military service. There have been several instances in which young American men of Korean descent, who were born and lived all of their lives in the United States, arrived in the ROK for a tourist visit only to find themselves drafted into the South Korean army.

Americans of Korean descent may request further information from the nearest South Korean Embassy or Consulate before visiting Korea.

In the U.S., contact the Embassy of the Republic of Korea at 2320 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-5660/63 or online. There are South Korean consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Miami, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

Edited July 13, 2012 by let-it-be

[blindsquirrel 1]

Thank you let-it-be and others. I will contact the ROK embassy and consulate. That is the right direction to have specifics explained. Thank you once again.

Best Regards,

blindsquirrel