Dual Citizen Baby

[jonandmary 0]

Hey everyone - long time no post. It seems like as soon as we were married we tried to forget all the hardtimes and work we went through for the immigration. You know, look to the future. Unfortunately that also seemed like it went with not visiting this site.

We will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary soon and shortly after that we'll have a little baby boy. I wanted to ask around here about some of the citizenship stuff. We originally talked with an immigration attorney, but she gave us quite a bit of mis-information so I just did all the paperwork and forms myself.

We know the baby will be considered a dual citizen, but at any time will the kid loose the Canadian citizenship? The attorney said that the kid could move to Canada without "immigrating" before he turns 25. Other than that has anyone gone through the process for doing the US and Canada passports for a baby? What about the NEXUS card? I know everyone in the car needs a NEXUS card, but do they even offer them for a baby? How would they do the interview in Canada for it?

We also need to find a store online that sells baby clothes with the Canada flag, etc

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Your son will hold Canadian citizenship until he decides to file a CIT-030.

[antda 13]

Hi Jonandmary,

Congratulations the pregnancy and all the best to you and your family with your new baby boy in November...

Actually there was another post on the VJ Canada boards about this dual "Canadian/US baby" topic, which you can read more, as some VJ Canadians who are in the same/similar situation has posted about it here too:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ship+baby+child

Also , from what I've researched before on the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship website, about the new Canadian citizenship laws made in April 2009, this is what I found:

Retaining citizenship

Some citizens born outside Canada (Your Canadian/American Baby) to a parent who was a Canadian (You) at the time of their birth are required to make an application and meet certain requirements to keep (retain) Canadian Citizenship before turning 28 years of age. This is called Retention of Canadian Citizenship.

Retention applies to Canadians born outside Canada after February 14, 1977 to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent. The Citizenship Act says that this second generation born outside Canada will lose Canadian Citizenship at age 28 unless steps are taken to retain it.

No later than April 17, 2009 the law will change to end the need to retain citizenship for many people. However, people born outside Canada who are subject to the retention rules and who turn 28 before the new law comes into effect must still take action to retain citizenship.

Find out more about the new law and who is affected.

Basically, it says that your Canadian/American baby/child can apply for Canadian citizenship, up until the age of 28, or not be able to have it at all.

You as a Canadian parent can pass on this Canadian citizenship to your baby/child, especially more so that you were born in Canada and can pass this on directly based on that, since they are a "second generation Canadian". Actually, even Canadians born not born in Canada, but were naturalized in Canada (such as in my case), can also pass Canadian citizenship to their baby/child as well.

And based on other's experiences (Wrumug), all you would have to do is apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate card for your baby/child by:

"i made an appointment with CC (Canadian consulate). It only took her about 30 mins to go through my application and to make copy of all the support documents and such as my daughter Social Security Card, my daughter's Birth Certificate, my daughter's immunization record, my citizenship card and my passport. Also you need to pay the fee too. i paid CAD75. She told me that it will take around 8 months to get the thing done."

And after they get this Canadian citizenship certificate card, they can apply for a Canadian passport afterwards too."

As for my (Ant+D+BabyA) situation (which I mentioned on a PM to someone else):

"As for my US born baby/child getting Canadian citizenship, I think I will have to wait awhile for that. I think it is better that they make an informed decision for such when they are older, and can understand for themselves the culture, history, rights/responsibilities, etc. of being a Canadian citizen. I don't want to impose a decsion for them when they are not ready for such yet. And if they choose for themselves to become a Canadian citzen, they can be proud of that choice, and I will support them in any way as a Canadian parent for them to pursue such, at any point in their lives (up until the age of 28, according to law), or not at all. Meanwhile, my family and I will make more trips and visit Canada more often (we live very close to the border), and will use these trips as a good teaching experience for our baby/child to learn more about Canada. And hopefully, they will appreciate, learn from, and enjoy such travels too."

So it is up to you and your family to decide as to whether or not your baby/child wants Canadian citizenship or not, either now or later on or not at all. It's a personal decision, really, and there are advantages and disadvantages to this decision too. So think carefully before making such a choice....

Hope this helps. Good luck on the rest of your baby/child's dual citizenship journey too.

Ant

P.S. Likewise, I'm looking for online baby Canadian baby items too....Lol..It would be cute if I could get my son a Canadian bib, to go with his American onesie shirt.....Canadian items are so much harder to find...Good luck in your search.

As for American items..They are a lot easier to find. Just go to any US store in-person and you'll find plenty of patriotic/flag stuff there!

Hey everyone - long time no post. It seems like as soon as we were married we tried to forget all the hardtimes and work we went through for the immigration. You know, look to the future. Unfortunately that also seemed like it went with not visiting this site.

We will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary soon and shortly after that we'll have a little baby boy. I wanted to ask around here about some of the citizenship stuff. We originally talked with an immigration attorney, but she gave us quite a bit of mis-information so I just did all the paperwork and forms myself.

We know the baby will be considered a dual citizen, but at any time will the kid loose the Canadian citizenship? The attorney said that the kid could move to Canada without "immigrating" before he turns 25. Other than that has anyone gone through the process for doing the US and Canada passports for a baby? What about the NEXUS card? I know everyone in the car needs a NEXUS card, but do they even offer them for a baby? How would they do the interview in Canada for it?

We also need to find a store online that sells baby clothes with the Canada flag, etc

[antda 13]

P.S.

As for NEXUS cards...From what I've read, yes, they do offer if for children too. For more info, you can read more about it here...

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/elig-admis-eng.html

Children

Children under the age of 18 require the consent of a parent or legal guardian to enrol in NEXUS. At the interview, children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one custodial parent or guardian. The parent or guardian needs to have documentary evidence of custody with no restrictions on removal from the custodial jurisdiction. The documents presented to the officer at the NEXUS Enrolment Centre have to establish that the adult or adults are the parents or legal guardians. Children can be enrolled in NEXUS even if their parents or guardians are not NEXUS members.

Technically, if your future son is travelling by land to Canada...All they need is their US birth certificate. This is what I use for my son for the time being for land travel, and have no problems with that.

I and my husband have enhanced driver's licenses, which is an alternative to a passport for travels to Canada. This option is also available for minors too, from what they told me, and no interview is required and it can be done simply at the DMV. However they only have this in certain states that are close to the border (such as NYS), so this might not be an option for you, depending on where you live in the USA.

Alternatively, you can also get your son a US passport, as that is universally acceptable for both air and land travel to Canada and internationally elsewhere too.

Hope this helps too. Good luck.

Ant

[jonandmary 0]

Since we are not really a border state, we do not have the option for the enhanced drivers license (yet). We were planning on doing a passport for him in case we need to fly anyways. I just want to make sure I can go thru the nexus lanes because occasionally the wait can really suck. I'd hate to sit in line for an hour just because baby doesnt have a nexus card.

We'll have to get on the ball with that after he's born. We'd like to go back to Toronto in July 2011, last time we've been was this past February a week after we found out we were pregnant. We havn't done much traveling because of the pregnancy.

[antda 13]

Since we are not really a border state, we do not have the option for the enhanced drivers license (yet). We were planning on doing a passport for him in case we need to fly anyways. I just want to make sure I can go thru the nexus lanes because occasionally the wait can really suck. I'd hate to sit in line for an hour just because baby doesnt have a nexus card.

We'll have to get on the ball with that after he's born. We'd like to go back to Toronto in July 2011, last time we've been was this past February a week after we found out we were pregnant. We havn't done much traveling because of the pregnancy.

Jonandmary-Lol..I know what you mean about waiting in line for a long time at the border.....And it certainly doesn't make it easier with a baby in tow either (trust me...I've 'been there, done that', with my son....)....

So yes, the NEXUS card is a good option, if you want to get through the lanes quickly...

I've thought about this option for our entire family too...But since we have EDLs already, and we don't fly, we decided not to pursue this option yet (we'll see after our EDLs expire though)....

What's good about the NEXUS card is that it is approved for air travel to Canada too, which is needed if you ever do fly...

However, a NEXUS card is not valid for other international air travel, so a passport is the only way if you want to fly elsewhere...

Also too, an in-person interview and a background check (which also includes fingerprinting and an iris scan, I think) is required for the NEXUS card. Application processings are available at certain border crossing locations (eg. at the Niagara Falls crossings...), so plan to travel there if you need an interview for a NEXUS card...

Other than that, NEXUS is a good choice, and isn't too expensive ($50 for 5 years, I think). And good luck with purusing that option too.

In the meantime, make sure you travel at a time where there is less traffic and the weather conditions are good, to avoid any further delays too.

Ant

Edited June 23, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Bern. 3]

I'm going to get my baby dual citizenship simply because I plan on moving back for 6 months every time my husband deploys. :3

[jonandmary 0]

Thanks Ant. I used to fly every month to Toronto, then slowly moved into driving the last year we were dating. I know the drill all too well. In fact I allowed a friend to ride up a few times with me to visit his family in London only because he had a NEXUS card. We've done NEXUS for us and our family. We can just schedule the interview at Pearson for when we will be in town.

The timing we have down to a science, leaving Toronto around 9-10 EST gets you past every rush hour and home in Milwaukee by 10 PM. Leaving to go to Toronto is a crapshoot. If you miss rush hour traffic everywhere, the 401 still kills you by the time you get to Mississauga.

[antda 13]

I'm going to get my baby dual citizenship simply because I plan on moving back for 6 months every time my husband deploys. :3

Bern-Good luck in getting your future child/baby Canadian citizenship!

Thanks Ant. I used to fly every month to Toronto, then slowly moved into driving the last year we were dating. I know the drill all too well. In fact I allowed a friend to ride up a few times with me to visit his family in London only because he had a NEXUS card. We've done NEXUS for us and our family. We can just schedule the interview at Pearson for when we will be in town.

The timing we have down to a science, leaving Toronto around 9-10 EST gets you past every rush hour and home in Milwaukee by 10 PM. Leaving to go to Toronto is a crapshoot. If you miss rush hour traffic everywhere, the 401 still kills you by the time you get to Mississauga.

Jonandmary-Lol..Oh yeah, going to Toronto is a crapshoot......

It has to be timed precisely, as to avoid all types of traffic and delays...What a nightmare to drive through there!

We've learned to figure this out too, after many years of travelling this way....We leave at 4am in the morning....Get there at about 7am....Spend the whole day in Toronto. Then we leave after 9pm and get home by midnight or so....lol...It's insane (especially while travelling with a baby)...But that's the only way to travel and make the most out of our day and our travels....Oh all of our crazy adventures to Toronto! (hmm..maybe I should write a book about this..)

Nevertheless, good luck with your travels to Canada too..

Ant

Edited June 23, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[antda 13]

P.S. If you are in the Buffalo, NY area..You should check out a restaurant chain called "John and Mary's"...It only seems fitting, for both of your namesakes....lol....

[neiks 19]

Sorry Ant, I have to correct and clarify some of the information that your provided.

Retention applies to Second generation Canadians - meaning a child born to a Canadian citizen parent that was not born in Canada but to a Canadian Parent(the grandparent is a "born Canadian"). Example : Second Generation Canadian. Grandma x was born in Canada and moves to US and marries Grandpa X a USC. Baby A is born and gets Canadian citizenship from Grandma X. Baby A growes up in the US marries Dad and they Have Baby B - Baby B is a considered a "second generation Canadian" thus has to apply for retention of Canadian citizenship by their 28 birthday.

If you are a Canadian - born in Canada that has moved to the US have a baby - that baby is a "first generation Canadian" and is a Canadian at birth in the eyes of Canada. Their is no "applicaton for Canadian Citizenship" they are CANADIAN already by the law of Canada. However you can apply for "Proof of Canadian Citizenship" for the baby. If baby is travelling with Canadian parent with US birth certificate and no Canadian Citizenship card they will still be recongnized as Canadian thru the Canadian parent. If someday they are travelling by themselves and don't have a citizenship card they are still Canadian but just don't have the proof they are.

Technically, if your baby born to a Canadian parent does not want to be a Canadian citizen then they do have to formally renouce their citizenship in Canada.

So, in a nutshell, because your child was born in the US and you may choose not to ever get their proof of citizenship - if they travel to Canada and are in Canada they will be treated as a Canadian citizen regardless.

Also , from what I've researched before on the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship website, about the new Canadian citizenship laws made in April 2009, this is what I found:

Retaining citizenship

Some citizens born outside Canada (Your Canadian/American Baby) to a parent who was a Canadian (You) at the time of their birth are required to make an application and meet certain requirements to keep (retain) Canadian Citizenship before turning 28 years of age. This is called Retention of Canadian Citizenship.

Retention applies to Canadians born outside Canada after February 14, 1977 to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent. The Citizenship Act says that this second generation born outside Canada will lose Canadian Citizenship at age 28 unless steps are taken to retain it.

No later than April 17, 2009 the law will change to end the need to retain citizenship for many people. However, people born outside Canada who are subject to the retention rules and who turn 28 before the new law comes into effect must still take action to retain citizenship.

Find out more about the new law and who is affected.

Basically, it says that your Canadian/American baby/child can apply for Canadian citizenship, up until the age of 28, or not be able to have it at all.

You as a Canadian parent can pass on this Canadian citizenship to your baby/child, especially more so that you were born in Canada and can pass this on directly based on that, since they are a "second generation Canadian". Actually, even Canadians born not born in Canada, but were naturalized in Canada (such as in my case), can also pass Canadian citizenship to their baby/child as well.

And based on other's experiences (Wrumug), all you would have to do is apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate card for your baby/child by:

"i made an appointment with CC (Canadian consulate). It only took her about 30 mins to go through my application and to make copy of all the support documents and such as my daughter Social Security Card, my daughter's Birth Certificate, my daughter's immunization record, my citizenship card and my passport. Also you need to pay the fee too. i paid CAD75. She told me that it will take around 8 months to get the thing done."

And after they get this Canadian citizenship certificate card, they can apply for a Canadian passport afterwards too."

As for my (Ant+D+BabyA) situation (which I mentioned on a PM to someone else):

"As for my US born baby/child getting Canadian citizenship, I think I will have to wait awhile for that. I think it is better that they make an informed decision for such when they are older, and can understand for themselves the culture, history, rights/responsibilities, etc. of being a Canadian citizen. I don't want to impose a decsion for them when they are not ready for such yet. And if they choose for themselves to become a Canadian citzen, they can be proud of that choice, and I will support them in any way as a Canadian parent for them to pursue such, at any point in their lives (up until the age of 28, according to law), or not at all. Meanwhile, my family and I will make more trips and visit Canada more often (we live very close to the border), and will use these trips as a good teaching experience for our baby/child to learn more about Canada. And hopefully, they will appreciate, learn from, and enjoy such travels too."

So it is up to you and your family to decide as to whether or not your baby/child wants Canadian citizenship or not, either now or later on or not at all. It's a personal decision, really, and there are advantages and disadvantages to this decision too. So think carefully before making such a choice....

[trailmix 77]

"As for my US born baby/child getting Canadian citizenship, I think I will have to wait awhile for that. I think it is better that they make an informed decision for such when they are older, and can understand for themselves the culture, history, rights/responsibilities, etc. of being a Canadian citizen.

Good points Neiks.

Ant, didn't we go over the whole, are they a Canadian citizen thing - or not, last time you posted this

[neiks 19]

Here is my own personal example of how the April 19th, 2009 change to the citizen act may affect your children or probably more likely your grandchildren:

Me - Born in Canada - Citizen by birth

Married my USC husband

Had Baby A while in Canada while waiting for my CR-1 to be approved. Baby A is a Canadian citizen by birth. Baby A derives US citizen from his USC daddy.

Me - get my US "greencard"

Had Baby B in the US. Baby B is US citizen by birth and derives his Canadian citizen from me (Canadian parent)

Baby A (born Canadian citizen)his children - even if not born in Canada - will be Canadian citizens

Baby B (born in US but has derived Canadian citizenship thru me) his children, (unless they are born in Canada) - will NOT be Canadian citizens.