Child born in US to UK parents
Jan 9th 2014, 5:54 am
#16
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Re: Child born in US to UK parents
Of course, who knows exactly what the rules will be in 20 years time when it could start to have a real impact on the OP's daughter - although I would tend to assume that things will not get any less complicated than they are now.
Jan 9th 2014, 4:50 pm
#17
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Re: Child born in US to UK parents
As Noorah said, for all travel to/via the US she'll need a US passport.
As a practical point, if you return to live in the UK, or anywhere else in the European Onion, your daughter will need a British passport as if she uses her US passport she will only get "stamped in" as a visitor, as US citizens need work and residential visas in Europe.
As a practical point, if you return to live in the UK, or anywhere else in the European Onion, your daughter will need a British passport as if she uses her US passport she will only get "stamped in" as a visitor, as US citizens need work and residential visas in Europe.
The UK does not require that its citizens use UK passports to enter the UK. So a dual US/UK citizen can visit the UK on a US passport without issue (as I and my family members have done on many occasions).
The UK authorities do PREFER that UK citizens use UK passports when repatriating to the UK but even this is not legally enforceable. I was able to repatriate to the UK along with my 2 dual (UK & Canada) citizen daughters who had Canadian passports. We obtained UK passports for the kids in the UK (much cheaper) and they went about their lives like any other UK citizen.
Jan 9th 2014, 9:42 pm
#18
Joined: Feb 2012
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Re: Child born in US to UK parents
I can't remember the exact rules, but if she lives in the UK for three (?) years she can become eligible to pass on British citizenship to her children. If she never returns to live in the UK, she will be the last of your line to be a British citizen (unless of course her children go through their own immigration process into the UK).
I think, under the current rules, if she doesn't live in the UK for three years before her children are born, her children could get a visa to live in the UK, and become citizens after living in the UK for five (?) years.
I think, under the current rules, if she doesn't live in the UK for three years before her children are born, her children could get a visa to live in the UK, and become citizens after living in the UK for five (?) years.
Correct. She's still British by descent though, whether the citizenship can be passed on or not. Her children cannot pass on citizenship though in the same way (they would need to be born there, live there for 5 years ~ I think you're right with that ~ or have a link to it through the father).
So since I lived in the UK for >25 years even though I'm British by descent, my son can still get a British PP.
So since I lived in the UK for >25 years even though I'm British by descent, my son can still get a British PP.
I think 50 odd years will need to pass first though before that becomes relevant and I suspect the rules might change by then.
Jan 10th 2014, 4:49 pm
#19
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Re: Child born in US to UK parents
thanks for the advice everyone. this is a lot more complex than i thought. a lot to think about for the future. i guess once we are settled somewhere (possibly uk) and as she grows up we need to think about whats best to do.
In the meantime, i need to consider getting her a UK passport - once we get back to the UK. But just wanted to clarify... if we come back to the US once we have left - even if its just for a holiday - she needs a US passport??
In the meantime, i need to consider getting her a UK passport - once we get back to the UK. But just wanted to clarify... if we come back to the US once we have left - even if its just for a holiday - she needs a US passport??
Jan 10th 2014, 4:58 pm
#20
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Re: Child born in US to UK parents
another question sorry!
is is best to get the UK passport whilst here? or try and get one once we finally move back to UK? we could possibly we only visiting UK this summer before moving elsewhere... maybe europe maybe far east,.. we dont know yet!
is is best to get the UK passport whilst here? or try and get one once we finally move back to UK? we could possibly we only visiting UK this summer before moving elsewhere... maybe europe maybe far east,.. we dont know yet!
Jan 10th 2014, 5:17 pm
#21
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Re: Child born in US to UK parents
thanks for the advice everyone. this is a lot more complex than i thought. a lot to think about for the future. i guess once we are settled somewhere (possibly uk) and as she grows up we need to think about whats best to do.
In the meantime, i need to consider getting her a UK passport - once we get back to the UK. But just wanted to clarify... if we come back to the US once we have left - even if its just for a holiday - she needs a US passport??
In the meantime, i need to consider getting her a UK passport - once we get back to the UK. But just wanted to clarify... if we come back to the US once we have left - even if its just for a holiday - she needs a US passport??
I would get her the UK passport now. As mentioned earlier having a UK passport has no negative effect (the UK taxes by residency not by citizenship) so there is no reason not to get it for her. It will also mean there are no complications should you move back to the UK.
Jan 10th 2014, 6:54 pm
#23
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Re: Child born in US to UK parents
I wouldn't. It's cheaper and easier to obtain the UK passport in the UK. As stated before, UK citizens don't need a UK passport to enter the UK. They do like you to have one when repatriating but the kid's US passport, full birth cert and the parents' UK passports is enough (I speak from experience).
Jan 10th 2014, 9:41 pm
#24
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,194
Re: Child born in US to UK parents
Even if you don't get her a British passport until you get back to the UK I would get her a consular birth certificate. It'll be a permanent record of her British citizenship (copies are available from the GRO at any time in the future) and it'll make getting her a British passport, whether it's done in the US or the UK, hassle-free.
https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth
https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth
