Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > USA
Reload this Page >

What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:19 pm
  #1  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 111
BigK is an unknown quantity at this point
Default What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Hi - I am going to be applying for my USC soon, and will be keeping my UK passport (and citizenship). Is there anything I need to do (or not do) as i go through the USC process, or after I become a USC? As mentioned, I would like to keep my UK passport/citizenship
BigK is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:23 pm
  #2  
Member
 
jeffreyhy's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,049
jeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Read the USCIS Guide to Naturalization.

Regards, JEff


Originally Posted by BigK
Is there anything I need to do (or not do) as i go through the USC process, or after I become a USC?
jeffreyhy is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:26 pm
  #3  
JAJ
Retired
 
JAJ's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
JAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

After you become a U.S. citizen you need to update your status with Social Security. This is important.

If you want to travel, get a U.S. passport. A passport is also evidence of citizenship so is useful anyway. A passport card also serves as evidence of U.S. citizenship, so get one of these at the same time.

Depending on state, you may need to tell the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that you're a U.S. citizen.

If you have children who become U.S. citizens based on your naturalization, you should apply for them to get U.S. passports. It is also strongly recommended to get them U.S. citizenship certificates straight away (using form N-600).
JAJ is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:33 pm
  #4  
 
Pulaski's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,397
Pulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Keeping your British citizenship is not a problem. Assuming you were born British, it is quite difficult to get rid of it even if you did want to. That said, once you become a USC, DO NOT try to enter the US on your British passport, also you will be obligated to file an annual tax return to the IRS no matter where in the world you live.

Last edited by Pulaski; Mar 8th 2013 at 5:36 pm.
Pulaski is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:34 pm
  #5  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
MarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond reputeMarylandNed has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Also try to stay out of trouble with the law. Try to avoid any traffic citations e.g. speeding tickets.
MarylandNed is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:35 pm
  #6  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 111
BigK is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Thanks Jeffery and JAJ. I am very familiar with the US process and all the things you outlined. My question was if I need to do anything regarding my UK passport and citizenship once I become a USC. I would like to keep it of course (dual) but wondering if there are any formalities.

Thanks
BigK is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:39 pm
  #7  
I have a comma problem
 
SultanOfSwing's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
SultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

As mentioned - notify Social Security, get passport and register to vote are the three things that follow naturalisation (though I haven't got my passport yet ).

Other than that, not much really. You can renew your UK passport out here and enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship when traveling there for a visit, provided you always use your US passport to exit and re-enter the US, of course.
SultanOfSwing is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:40 pm
  #8  
Bob
BE Site Lead
 
Bob's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,167
Bob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Cross your fingers during the oath ceremony bit.
Bob is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:41 pm
  #9  
 
Pulaski's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,397
Pulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Originally Posted by BigK
...... I would like to keep it of course (dual) but wondering if there are any formalities. .....
None whatsoever, the British government doesn't care. It would only become an issue if you were arrested or charged with a crime in the US and tried to obtain consular assistance from the British embassy.
Pulaski is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:45 pm
  #10  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 111
BigK is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Awesome, that's what I thought. We already file taxes here, live here permanently so no issues complying with the law here.

We do travel to the UK each year, so will be sure to use the right passport in the right place
BigK is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 5:46 pm
  #11  
I have a comma problem
 
SultanOfSwing's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
SultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Originally Posted by BigK
Awesome, that's what I thought. We already file taxes here, live here permanently so no issues complying with the law here.

We do travel to the UK each year, so will be sure to use the right passport in the right place
The main point about tickets and that was that they all have to be mentioned on the N-400 (no matter how minor), with backup. It's a pain in the arse. I had two 4-year old traffic citations that I had to go to the courthouse and get paperwork for on mine.
SultanOfSwing is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 6:37 pm
  #12  
Member
 
jeffreyhy's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,049
jeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Ahhh, OK, that wasn't clear.

With regard to your UK passport, you need to keep renewing it each time it expires.

I don't know what your obligations are as a UK citizen, but whatever they are keep meeting them after you obtain US citizenship because you will still be a UK citizen.

Regards, JEff


Originally Posted by BigK
My question was if I need to do anything regarding my UK passport and citizenship once I become a USC.
jeffreyhy is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 8:14 pm
  #13  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
md95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Originally Posted by MarylandNed
Also try to stay out of trouble with the law. Try to avoid any traffic citations e.g. speeding tickets.
Actually, if anything, "staying out of trouble with the law" becomes even less of an issue (at least from the immigration perspective) once the OP becomes a US citizen.

"Normal" moving violations such as speeding tickets (as opposed to convictions for vehicular manslaughter etc) really aren't an issue at any time.
md95065 is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 8:58 pm
  #14  
 
Pulaski's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,397
Pulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Originally Posted by jeffreyhy
..... With regard to your UK passport, you need to keep renewing it each time it expires.
No, he does not need to, that is entirely voluntary.
..... I don't know what your obligations are as a UK citizen, but whatever they are keep meeting them ....
There aren't any, see above. ... Unless he holds British investments, in which case he has to pay British taxes, but that is true whether or not he is a British citizen.
Pulaski is offline  
Old Mar 8th 2013, 9:11 pm
  #15  
Member
 
jeffreyhy's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,049
jeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond reputejeffreyhy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What do I need to do when I obtain US citizenship?

Self-imposed need - he did write "I would like to keep my UK passport/citizenship".
Originally Posted by Pulaski
No, he does not need to, that is entirely voluntary.
Well then, it won't be very difficult for him, will it?
Originally Posted by Pulaski
There aren't any, see above. ...
The intent of my post was to point out the obvious. Guess I failed.

Regards, JEff
jeffreyhy is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.