Comments on: I... I have to tell you something... I think I'm a dual citizen.

Question: I... I have to tell you something... I think I'm a dual citizen.

SemiSophos — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:12:40 -0800

I think I may be a British citizen by descent. What now?

My father was born to US citizens in London's East End, gaining dual US/UK citizenship by birth. As I am my father's son, and he is a citizen "otherwise than by descent," I am under the impression that I too may be a dual US/UK citizen.

One problem: At the age of 21, he went to the US Immigration office in Atlanta and took an oath of US Citizenship which included a renunciation of any other citizenship. "However, [he] did not make any report, presentation, or declaration of renunciation to the British Consul or any other British official."

He has also served in the US military.

It is my understanding that, in the eyes of the Queen, he's still a British citizen, and is still able to confer citizenship by descent. If my account above is accurate, is that the case?

If all the above checks out, and I'm a British citizen by descent, then what now? Do I simply apply for a passport and go on my merry way? Do I have to jump through other hoops?

By: Dasein

Dasein — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:22:52 -0800

Get in touch with the Embassy or a consulate to find out.

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:26:08 -0800

Have you contacted your nearest UK Embassy (probably Washington DC)?

By: Phanx

Phanx — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:27:37 -0800

A browse here might help.

By: SemiSophos

SemiSophos — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:35:28 -0800

I have contacted my local consulate, who redirected me to the Washington, DC embassy, where I left a voicemail. I guess my question is: Are there any other steps I could or should take at this point?

By: blue_wardrobe

blue_wardrobe — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:36:13 -0800

Start with the passport application forms and associated instructions.

The whole form (here) is a kind of flowchart for this kind of determination. It is a pretty cool form in its own right.

By: blue_wardrobe

blue_wardrobe — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:36:58 -0800

And try to get your application in before April, or you will automatically need to attend for an interview, due to a recent change in da rules.

By: Quinbus Flestrin

Quinbus Flestrin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:15:42 -0800

I don't think you need to do anything but apply for a passport -- if you have the documentary proof that your father was a citizen then you should be one by descent, unless he actively renounced it before your birth (joining a foreign country's army won't be an issue).

It should be noted that the mere fact of being born on British soil does not by itself confer citizenship unless your a parent was a citizen or was "settled" in Britain at the time (the definition of settled in this context I don't know).

By: ssg

ssg — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:44:49 -0800

Quinbus Flestrin: Being born on British soil did confer citizenship until 1983 (and I think we can safely assume that the OPs father was born before then).

By: puffin

puffin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:17:28 -0800

One problem: At the age of 21, he went to the US Immigration office in Atlanta and took an oath of US Citizenship which included a renunciation of any other citizenship. "However, [he] did not make any report, presentation, or declaration of renunciation to the British Consul or any other British official."

My mother was born in England (to parents who were British citizens). The family moved to America when she was 12. She became and naturalized American citizen once she turned 18. I was born and have lived in America my entire life.

I was able to get get an British passport. I believe that we had to send a copy of my mother's birth certificate to the Embassy as part of the application, but otherwise it was pretty routine. Just got ahead and follow all the directions on the passport application.

By: puffin

puffin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:31:28 -0800

Oops, that's "she became a naturalized American citizen," not and.

Also: I don't know if you care, but my mother was able to get a British passport at the same time that I applied for one (after not having one since she was a child) -- so your dad could apply along with you, if he wanted.

Just make sure to always use your US passport when returning to America.

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:50:50 -0800

Just make sure to always use your US passport when returning to America.

Cannot stress this enough.