Thank you - I've been stared at quite blankly by some people - like what's your problem? I can't say no or he loses job and current career.

I do realise there's the whole 'made your bed' element here, but since we got together, there's been a war, Bush has been re-elected, London operations have been closed (where we were planning to stay) and the investigation level requirements have increased. This is not what I signed up for.

Such is life ... roll on 2009!

I wouldn't be pressured into taking US citizenship just to help your partner with a clearance. Its the kind of thing that you have to be genuine about as it has lifetime consequences. What is your partner's attitude to all this ,is the pressure coming from him of from the authorities, or both?

I got US citizenship after getting married to a US citizen and being here for 12 years, I wanted to vote and protect stuff like SS etc. However, I'm now thinking of returning to the UK and being a US citizen too makes things a bit complicated particularly wrt taxes and investments.

The immediate pressure will be from the authorities. My partner knows how I feel about it all and hates that I feel as uncomfortable as I do. I really had no option but to comply though, or his clearance would have been pulled.

At the moment the issue is on hold as we have told them we are not engaged and although I had to justify my relationship (not a patch on what he was asked) they cannot force the issue unless we do marry.

We are now planning to marry and live in England but unless I take citizenship he will be unable to work in the UK on contract. I don't want to be forced but at the moment it looks like it's going to be his career or my feelings.

But even if you get citizenship, you won't have to give up your UK one - it's not you with the clearance - so I don't see why thats a major problem - just become a dual citizen like lots of other folks on here.

The biggie that the by the book clearance people will want to see on your husbands form is "Is your spouse a USC?" - that should do it I'd have thought. You can then have your cake and eat it, no?

A (vague) friend got a job in the Cabinet Office and had to go for the highest level of clearance at the time. She was asked to complete a form which detailed everyone she'd slept with recently. She replied, "what, last names too?".

Well yes and no, because even if he can tick spouse USC I'm still a UKC aswell, he has to declare that anyway and we wont be in the States, so why the need for me to be dual? I have not read anything about renouncing my UK no, but I don't want US citizenship and I sure as hell don't want to be forced into it.

Rhetorically speaking, if somebody could actually give me a reason why it's necessary that is beyond pandering to bullshit attitudes I might feel differently, but that's not going to happen is it. At the end of the day I suppose it's just yet another 'oh I see, it's like that is it?' but it is a serious one, and it does piss me off. It doesnt bother some people but I agree with Nun.

Once you take US citizenship that's all America recognises, so you'll have to file IRS 1040 forms for the rest of your life even if you are in the UK as a UK citizen.
Don't take US citizenship for someone else, only do it for yourself, and be sure its what YOU want, it has consequences

You have to be a U.S. citizen to get a real security clearance. You also have to give up your U.K. passport (the Embassy in DC will take a surrender and give you a receipt for a small fee). You don't have to renounce your UK citizenship although that can help (a larger fee). To get a top level clearance all your immediate family (siblings, spouse, parents, children) have to be U.S. citizens resident in the USA unless you get a dispensation. I am a dual citizen and was turned down for a TS/SCI job after six interviews after they found out I had sisters in the UK. The employer didn't want to take the risk of going through the lengthy application process and having me turned down.

DH has highest level of clearance and I am not a citizen, there are certain jobs he cannot do because of me but the clearance is not in jeopardy. I had to be checked out before he was allowed to marry me and others I know were strongly advised to become citizens to not jeapordize husbands career but no one has ever said anything to me.

There is a huge difference between surrendering your British passport and renouncing your British citizenship.

If you have a specific reason to return your British passport to the Embassy, you can do that with a letter of explanation. That does not cease your British citizenship and you can always apply for a new one later on.

Renouncing your British citizenship is a much bigger deal. You need to complete a special form which the Embassy send to the Home Office in the U.K. for actioning. It is required to hand over your British passport as part of this process and your name will be added to a list of those ineligible for British passport facilities (to stop you applying for another one with your birth certificate).

Resumption of British citizenship is possible later on, but in this circumstance it's discretionary. (it's only an entitlement if it was renounced in order to obtain/retain another citizenship).

Renouncing British citizenship does not affect the nationality of any British children you already have (some countries revoke children's citizenship based on parent's actions but not the U.K.). However, children born after you renounce British citizenship will not be British citizens based on your status.

And even if you do formally renounce British citizenship, you may still be denied a security clearance on other grounds. [eg friends, real estate, close family etc outside the United States].


I think the message is that security clearances and foreign ties do not mix well. Most countries follow that point of view.

The "ideal" candidate for a security clearance, in this respect, is a person who has not experienced much of the outside world. Of course agencies can and do make exceptions as mentioned. From their point of view, it's a question of balancing risk and benefit to the nation.

You're so right. I worked with a lot of really bright folks at Lockheed in Fort Worth (actually White Settlement, Texas) and during office hours I'd be really impressed with the technical skill and knowledge, but at lunch and after work it was all Bud Light, Cowboys, misogyny (from the women as well) and a total lack of interest in the world outside. I was a real curiosity with my foreign accent. I'm sure there's not much need to check for foreign connections in security clearance applications at that site.