Wildcat_1

Hey all

I have a question regarding citizenship. I know you have to be a PR for a number of years before you can apply and if you marry that time is shortened slightly. I was wondering as my wife (American) gave birth to our beautiful first child last week whether it cuts the time down again or not ?

I'm sure the answer is probably that I still have to wait which means my new daughter gets joint citizenship before her father does

Let me know and also if someone knows the qualifing periods these days please post them

Thanks all

WC

ScousePete

First of all, congratulations on the birth of your daughter!

She is an American citizen because she was born in the States with a USC parent.

You can apply based on either:

1. 5 years as a PR
2. 3 years of marriage to a USC

Current processing times are just over a year from application to swearing in.

http://www.kamya.com/intro/natexp.html is a pretty good site detailing people's N-400 experiences.

Wildcat_1

I'm still assuming she will get automatic British citizenship if I file for it, correct ?

Wildcat_1

Also how does the marriage thing work? I landed as a PR in 2001 and got married in 2002 so does this mean I qualify in 2004 or 2005 ?

Thanks

WC

Manc

Your little girl will yes.

marlborobell

2005. You need to have been "living in marital union with" your citizen spouse for three years. (Immigration and Nationality Act section 319(a) )

DaveC

Check this link out for answers to nationality questions and info about British consular services such as passports, registering births etc. We're about to go through some of this with our 5 week old daughter.

http://www.britainusa.com/sections/index.asp?i=109

Manc

Wildcat, not being a nosey sod or anything, but are you in a rush to take the oath of something?

Wildcat_1

No nothing like that you nosey sod heheheh

Just wondered ig things had changed or if I needed to do anything sooner due to the fact I now have a daughter in this country etc, that was all

swingin scot

3 years of marriage to a USC to be eligible for citizenship???

Is that correct? This August will be our 3 year anniversary, however, I didn't get my conditional PR status until the end of October 2002. Am I eligible for citizenship 3 years after our marriage (August 2004) or 3 years after I gained conditional PR status (October 2005)? I will be applying to have my conditions removed this July since you can do it 3 months before the 2 year period is up.

Any info would really be appreciated ... a tad confused with all the red tape here. Thanks

Franklin

My understanding (but I might be wrong because I am not an immigration attorney and have no special legal expertise in this area) is that you have to be resident for three years in the US as a PR (to qualify as a spouse of a US citizen), and 5 years as a PR not married to a USC.

But check with an immigration attorney or the home defense people (former INS staff). I am just thankful that it is a "done deal" ... that the whole sorry painful saga is done with. It was a relief holding up my right hand and swearing in front of a Federal Court Judge along with a couple hundred other souls who went though the same long process to become a USC.

Manc

I find the whole citizenship thing a little trivial, and I do comprehend it is all about personal choice.

My own feelings are is "being done with the INS" a serious enough reason to take out US citizenship?
No I don't think it is.

Whilst I respect and stand for the national anthem, I do not sing it at sporting events, or whenever else I am present when it is played.

I do not participate in the pledge of allegence with my family. I would feel funny doing it because I am not an American.

I do not feel I am American and until I do so, which may be never, I could never take an oath for something I would have no reason to aspire to.
I have no particular desire to become an American. I am a member of my community and contribute just as much being solely British.

My British passport is in a drawer in my office, and it serves no particular purpose other than to travel, and I feel that if I were to get a US Passport it would be just as irrelevant until I left the country.

Margueriteuk

Re: US Citizenship question:


This is something I have not given much consideration as of yet. What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Do I get to keep my UK citizenship and all that comes with it if I become a US citizen?

I can see US citizenship allows me to come and go from the USA as I please whereas now with my (Conditional) Green Card I may lose my right to return as a Permanent Resident if I am out of the USA for so many months in a year.

Any comments appreciated.

Cheers, M

CalgaryAMC

Some people want more of a stake in their adopted country - they may want the right to vote and have some say, however small, in how the country is governed. If you have an American child I would think this urge is all the stronger.

There are all sorts of reasons why people might want citizenship. It's not just about "being done with the INS."

Manc

Yes on both accounts.
Who can take your British Citizenship off you?