Children of UK/US parents

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Hi everyone!

We'll be having our first child ( ) this fall, so I'm starting to think more in-depth about the citizenship/immigration impact. My husband has his green card (2 year) and is from London. I am US born. I know we can file CRBA to report the birth and that our child will be granted their UK passport in addition to the US passport (baby will be born in the US).

Here's my question: From poking around, I believe I read that if our children inherit British citizenship (born abroad to UK parent), they cannot then transfer that citizenship to their own children someday (unless they live in the UK for a certain number of years before the child is born, etc).

Does anyone know if that is indeed true? We plan to move to the UK for several years in the future, so the other option would be to not file CRBA at birth and put them through the same visa process I'll have to go through when we move across the pond. Would that then grant them citizenship that can't be passed to their own children?

Any insights would be much appreciated! The UK immigration sites seem even more confusing than the US ones! I know it's way down the road, but the idea of my very future grandchildren not having ties to the UK bothers me. I want them to be able to feel that part of their heritage and be able to easily visit family. If one route to citizenship allows this, then we may as well follow that path!

Thanks!

[Boiler 45,982]

You are talking about proof of their citizenship, they are or are not. UK Citizens can not go through an immigration process to the UK. Plus not a good idea anyway as the financial thresholds are much higher.

The rules on residency seem to change, time span you are looking at they could change several times.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

If they are born stateside, I didn't think they were automatically UK citizens. I'd have to file the appropriate paperwork to get them citizenship.

I do appreciate the reminder about the financial threshold for each additional sponsored visa into the UK. And facts could absolutely change numerous times by the time my kids are having kids of their own.

I just wasn't sure if there was a benefit to waiting and bringing myself and any children over together down the road (assuming we can meet the financial requirement into the UK). Since we plan to move over there for a few years, it seemed we should at least consider our options and implications for our kids (and future generations).

[Boiler 45,982]

You have to file paperwork to get proof, good idea to do it sooner. Never know what may happen decades in the future.

You could just apply for a Passport. I am sure the relative merits have been discussed many times.

[Boiler 45,982]

You have to file paperwork to get proof, good idea to do it sooner. Never know what may happen decades in the future.

You could just apply for a Passport. I am sure the relative merits have been discussed many times.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Thanks, Boiler. I'd tend to agree and say better to do it now because who knows what may happen down the road.

Thanks for your help!

Edited February 13, 2015 by ChicagoSarah

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Get your info here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-register-child-under-18-as-british-citizen-form-mn1

Your child can be British by descent. His child can be registered as British if he (your child) lives in the UK a minimum of 3 continuous years with no absence over 270 days. The passing down ends there. Your child can not upgrade to British in his own right by going through naturalisation. His path is by descent. That's how I understand it.

Agree you are planning way far ahead and things change...citizenship path, whether you have grandchildren, whether they even care about British citizenship, even if Grandpa was one.

Edited February 13, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Thanks, Nich-Nick. That helps me clarify things a bit. I was confused if my child could get citizenship through means other than descent, but it makes sense that they could not. So much changes (good and bad), so we'll just file the paperwork after the birth.

I'm a bit of a planner (clearly) and like to make sure I know all my options before making a decision. Especially one that will impact my kids and potentially their kids for years to come!

Thank you both for your help....I knew I could count on you both to chime in :-)

[Pheebs1201 269]

Congrats on the pregnancy!

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Congrats on the pregnancy!

Thanks! It's the first for us both, so we're super excited!

[Kintsukuroi 6]

Your child cannot get UK citizenship through other means because your child *will* be British already from the moment they are born. Even if you never file a CRBA or obtain a British passport for your child they will still be British because that is what the law states. My children were all born in the US and have British citizenship by descent through me. I haven't filed a CRBA for any of them. Three of them have/had British passports (I haven't applied yet for the other two). It's as easy as sending off a completed application, the fees, British parent's birth certificate and child's birth certificate (must have British parent listed). The only advice I would give you is make sure you have a birth certificate for the child dated less than 3 months after they are born. You may have to provide additional documentation if you have a birth certificate dated after 3 months post birth.