Dual citizenship

[Cdnwmn 0]

I was always under the assumption that the U.S. didn't recognize dual citizenship with other countries. You had to renounce your citizenship of that country with the U.S. Just recently someone on another site posted that they were told at the immigration officer that this rule had changed. Just wanted to verify.

Thanks.

[meauxna 15]

I was always under the assumption that the U.S. didn't recognize dual citizenship with other countries. You had to renounce your citizenship of that country with the U.S. Just recently someone on another site posted that they were told at the immigration officer that this rule had changed. Just wanted to verify.

Thanks.

m--first, congrats on the great job! It sounds ideal!!!

The rule hasn't recently changed but it sounds like you could really benefit from reading the natz FAQ posted in the pinned thread in the Citizenship forum.

In a nutshell, it's true that the US does not recognize 'dual citizenship'. The US will always see you as a US citizen.

If you are a citizen of another country, they (most of them) don't care what you tell US authorities. If you are a Canadian, you are *always* a Canadian to Canada.

If you want to actually renounce another citizenship after becomming a USC, you have to really work at it and make a formal renunciation in front of a Canadian (for example) official.

My DAH is a UK citizen. When he takes his oath for US citizenship soon, he will not give up his UK citz, but he will always be treated as a US citizen by the US gov't. Presume the Brits will continue to think of him as a UKC if/when he deals with them.

[Ladylethal 12]

I know that to Brasil if you get the US citizenship through marriage or any other that not from birth or being the child of USC, you automatically loose your brazilian nationality.

[zyggy 9]

I know that to Brasil if you get the US citizenship through marriage or any other that not from birth or being the child of USC, you automatically loose your brazilian nationality.

The rule is that the US cannot determine how another country recognizes their own citizens. If Brazil has made the determination that the act of taking of a citizenship of another country results in the renunciation of their Brazilian Citizenship, then that is the case... In Canada's case, the act of naturalization in another country is not recognized by Canada as renouncing your Canadian Citizenship.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Dual Nationality

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy.Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth.

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.

Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct.The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

However, dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there.Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship.Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose citizenship.

Information on losing foreign citizenship can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States. Americans can renounce U.S. citizenship in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If you want to actually renounce another citizenship after becomming a USC, you have to really work at it and make a formal renunciation in front of a Canadian (for example) official.

That's what I thought, too. Learned after I became a US citizen that, in order to maintain one's German citizenship, one has to file and get approval on paperwork (Beibehaltungsantrag) with the German authorities prior to taking on another citizenship. Otherwise, one (like myself) is no longer considered German.

Just tossed this in to make sure people understand that while it takes work to lose one's original citizenship in some (probably most) cases, it takes work to keep it in others. All depends on the country of origin.

Edited April 3, 2006 by ET-US2004

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I was always under the assumption that the U.S. didn't recognize dual citizenship with other countries. You had to renounce your citizenship of that country with the U.S. Just recently someone on another site posted that they were told at the immigration officer that this rule had changed. Just wanted to verify.

Thanks.

As zyggy said, Canada does not recognise an oral-only renunciation (such as that in US citizenship oath). From CIC's Info:

Canadian Citizens and Dual Citizenship

Since February 15, 1977, Canadians have been allowed to take foreign citizenship while keeping their Canadian citizenship.

If you are a Canadian citizen who became a citizen of another country before that date, you should contact the Call Centre for more information. If you are outside Canada, contact the nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate for more information.