Dual Citizenship question
#1
Just Joined
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
Dual Citizenship question
My mother is a World War II nurse who married an American and moved to the US in 1946. She held her British citizenship until after I was born in 1948. When I researched dual citizenship years ago, I learned it was only via a father. Now I see where this has been changed. My sister and brother were born in the US after my mother took American citizenship for convenience reasons --- easier to travel home with one passport rather than hers being British and her children American.
Can anyone tell me if I qualify to apply for British citizenship by descent? what about my siblings? seems to me it might be less likely they qualify since mom was an American citizen at their births.
What would be the disadvantages? advantages. Obviously, I am not even considering giving up my US citizenship but would love to honor both parts of my lineage and it might be useful on trips to the UK where I have more family than here in the US>
Thanks for any input.
Can anyone tell me if I qualify to apply for British citizenship by descent? what about my siblings? seems to me it might be less likely they qualify since mom was an American citizen at their births.
What would be the disadvantages? advantages. Obviously, I am not even considering giving up my US citizenship but would love to honor both parts of my lineage and it might be useful on trips to the UK where I have more family than here in the US>
Thanks for any input.
#2
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Hi britishtwilight,
Welcome to BE. I've moved your thread from the Welcome Inn to our USA forum.
I would suggest you try reading this page in our wiki and see if that will help give you some additional info.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Britis...hip_by_Descent
Welcome to BE. I've moved your thread from the Welcome Inn to our USA forum.
I would suggest you try reading this page in our wiki and see if that will help give you some additional info.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Britis...hip_by_Descent
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,667
Re: Dual Citizenship question
My mother is a World War II nurse who married an American and moved to the US in 1946. She held her British citizenship until after I was born in 1948. When I researched dual citizenship years ago, I learned it was only via a father. Now I see where this has been changed. My sister and brother were born in the US after my mother took American citizenship for convenience reasons --- easier to travel home with one passport rather than hers being British and her children American.
Can anyone tell me if I qualify to apply for British citizenship by descent? what about my siblings? seems to me it might be less likely they qualify since mom was an American citizen at their births.
What would be the disadvantages? advantages. Obviously, I am not even considering giving up my US citizenship but would love to honor both parts of my lineage and it might be useful on trips to the UK where I have more family than here in the US>
Thanks for any input.
Can anyone tell me if I qualify to apply for British citizenship by descent? what about my siblings? seems to me it might be less likely they qualify since mom was an American citizen at their births.
What would be the disadvantages? advantages. Obviously, I am not even considering giving up my US citizenship but would love to honor both parts of my lineage and it might be useful on trips to the UK where I have more family than here in the US>
Thanks for any input.
Read this below:
Before 1983, as a general rule British nationality could only be transmitted from the father through one generation only, and parents were required to be married. (See History of British nationality law.)
With effect from 20 July 2009, the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 provides that a person born outside the UK to a British mother may be entitled to register as a British citizen by descent if that person was born before 1 January 1983.[8] Before the 2009 changes, only persons born after 7 February 1961 and before 1 January 1983 were eligible for this provision that came into force in April 2003. However those with permanent resident status in the UK, or who are entitled to the right of abode, may prefer naturalisation as a British citizen, which gives transmissible British citizenship otherwise than by descent. Requirements for successful registration with form UKM are that the applicant be a child of a British mother born before 1983 and be of good character and attend a citizenship ceremony. As of 22 Nov 2010, there is no longer an application fee (of £540). Applicants do however still have to pay £80 for the citizenship ceremony.
You complete form UKM - the process takes about 3 to 6 months.
You do not need to relinquish your US citizenship since both are accepted by UK and US. The advantage is that you do not need visa(s) etc to visit/live in the UK.
#4
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Hi britishtwilight,
Welcome to BE. I've moved your thread from the Welcome Inn to our USA forum.
I would suggest you try reading this page in our wiki and see if that will help give you some additional info.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Britis...hip_by_Descent
Welcome to BE. I've moved your thread from the Welcome Inn to our USA forum.
I would suggest you try reading this page in our wiki and see if that will help give you some additional info.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Britis...hip_by_Descent
For the pro/cons of dual citizenship, this is more geared to why getting US citizenship, so not all of it will apply, but for the most part, flip the US for the UK and the reasons still stand.
Welcome to BE too
#5
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Granted there are some assumptions being made...but does not the issue depend on how the mother obtained her British citizenship?
Without a little more information I don't think the answer is quite cut and dried.
Without a little more information I don't think the answer is quite cut and dried.
#6
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: Dual Citizenship question
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pros_a...US_Citizenship
For the pro/cons of dual citizenship, this is more geared to why getting US citizenship, so not all of it will apply, but for the most part, flip the US for the UK and the reasons still stand.
Welcome to BE too
For the pro/cons of dual citizenship, this is more geared to why getting US citizenship, so not all of it will apply, but for the most part, flip the US for the UK and the reasons still stand.
Welcome to BE too
There are cons the other way round, certainly!
I have both (UK and US) and find it to be very useful.
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,667
Re: Dual Citizenship question
If the above presumption is not correct, then the OP needs to provide additional info.
#8
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: Dual Citizenship question
It does, but even then it's not that simple... If you obtain UK citizenship by descent, if you meet certain criteria (live there a certain period amongst other things I think) you can still pass on citizenship to your children. I think there's a grandparent requirement too (other than by descent).
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Thank you to all for responses.
Yes, mother was born in Devon to British parents whose lineage I can trace on all lines back many generations.
Yes, mother was born in Devon to British parents whose lineage I can trace on all lines back many generations.
#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Another question.
My 87 year old mom wants to get her British passport back. Of course she gave it up in the 50s because that is what she was told to do on taking US citizenship.
Is she entitled to hold both. She is English born, of course.
My 87 year old mom wants to get her British passport back. Of course she gave it up in the 50s because that is what she was told to do on taking US citizenship.
Is she entitled to hold both. She is English born, of course.
#11
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Did she return the passport or officially renounce her UK citizenship?
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,667
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Perhaps your mother just did not renew it. She would have had to formally renounce her British citizenship to "give it up"
I would suggest you get the necessary documentation and just apply to get her passport renewed.
#13
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Assuming she became American in 1949 or later, she would only have ceased to be a British citizen if she went to the British Embassy/Consulate and signed forms renouncing her citizenship. She would probably remember that.
British subjects who became U.S. citizens before 1.1.1949 generally did lose British nationality and have not had it restored. However there were a number of exceptions and although one would need to check the relevant pre-1949 legislation to be sure, one exception may have covered married women.
British subjects who became U.S. citizens before 1.1.1949 generally did lose British nationality and have not had it restored. However there were a number of exceptions and although one would need to check the relevant pre-1949 legislation to be sure, one exception may have covered married women.
#14
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Thanks to everyone. Mom took US citizenship in Apr 1949 and did not turn in her passport or go to any embassy to sign docs. Sure sounds as if she and her three children are entitled to citizenship by descent.
Form GBK I think someone said. Any one think I should consult a US based lawyer before doing this - just to make sure I don't put anything on this end in jeopardy?
Susan:
Form GBK I think someone said. Any one think I should consult a US based lawyer before doing this - just to make sure I don't put anything on this end in jeopardy?
Susan:
#15
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: Dual Citizenship question
Thanks to everyone. Mom took US citizenship in Apr 1949 and did not turn in her passport or go to any embassy to sign docs. Sure sounds as if she and her three children are entitled to citizenship by descent.
Form GBK I think someone said. Any one think I should consult a US based lawyer before doing this - just to make sure I don't put anything on this end in jeopardy?
Susan:
Form GBK I think someone said. Any one think I should consult a US based lawyer before doing this - just to make sure I don't put anything on this end in jeopardy?
Susan:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si.../guide_ukm.pdf