Dewey

Living in the DC area I hesitate to register my American daughter with the British embassy because I do not want to unwittingly limit her future job prospects. Certain federal jobs are denied to applicants who have exercised citizen rights in another country such as voting, acquiring a passport, etc. I'm unsure if that includes actions taken without her consent such as by a parent but I'd rather she make an informed decision for herself when she is an adult.

MarylandNed

Right - I knew you were aware. My reply was more for the OP's benefit not yours. You had stated that the GRO cert could be obtained at any time and I just wanted to clarify that it takes quite some time for their records to be updated with the foreign birth registration. After that initial processing period, the GRO cert can be ordered at any time.

MarylandNed

Foreign birth registrations are no longer handled by embassies or consulates. You would start here:

https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth

Also, if your daughter is a British citizen, she remains a British citizen whether or not you register her birth and whether or not she obtains a British passport.

It is true that possession of a valid non-US passport can cause issues in terms of obtaining security clearance - but so can just having the British citizenship (with or without registration or a passport).

Personally I think the benefits of having the foreign citizenship trumps any benefits of not having it. I certainly would not renounce my other citizenships just to obtain a US security clearance. But that's just my opinion (plus I'm not in a job that requires one) and your daughter may well think otherwise.

Pulaski

And the security clearance process is almost certain to identify that fact.

BritInParis

If it is such a problem that it will result in a failed security clearance then she will almost certainly have to renounce the foreign citizenship in question - that a parent registered her birth with said foreign government in question 20+ years previously would be irrelevant.

MarylandNed

I agree that the actions of the parent in registering the birth (or even obtaining a British passport on behalf of the child) would likely be irrelevant. The fact that the daughter has a non-US citizenship is the more important factor. The daughter applying for and obtaining a British passport by herself would be likely be viewed differently.

However, how many people actually need security clearance to do their jobs? And, of those that do need it, having another citizenship isn't necessarily a barrier to obtaining it. It is dealt with on a case by case basis. And it's also possible (maybe even likely) that having British citizenship opens up more opportunities than having a security clearance.

Here's an interesting document on the subject:

https://careers.state.gov/uploads/8f...itizenship.pdf

Pulaski

Agreed, not least to travel and work visa-free in thirty-two countries from Iceland to Greece and from Finland to the Canary Islands.

durham_lad

As evidenced by Senator Ted Cruz who had no issues with his dual citizenship to become a Senator and privy, I'm sure, to plenty of confidential information as a US Senator. He only recently renounced his Canadian citizenship in his run for President. I don't believe a US President is barred from being a dual citizen as long as he is a "natural born US citizen". I don't know the local country laws but Obama may hold dual nationality due to his father being Kenyan, and Senator McCain Panamanian citizenship having been born in that country.

FWIW, our 2 children were aged 4 and 6 when we came over and became US citizens with US passports when they were teenagers. Now in their early 30's they both deemed it worthwhile to obtain UK Passports, mainly for the freedom to live, work and move around the EU should they wish to.

dc koop

Well let's hope that the Supreme Court rule that he's not eligible to become President. There's enough home grown jackasses in the GOP running for Pres already without an import being included

iwshim

I am British by decent - If i register my son as British they will not automaticaly get citizenship; however, will they qualify for special visa status such a "Right of Abode" ?

thanks!

mikelincs

There is a problem with that as the qualifying person is British by descent only, so can't pass Citizenship on at all, they are talking about registering them even though they do NOT qualify for citizenship.

petitefrancaise

Britinparis can I ask if there's any point registering my daughter's french birth with the GRO? She currently has french birth certificate and holds a British passport. I've always been put off registering her birth since it requires the originals of a lot of very important documents being sent away. However, with Brexit I have been more of a mind to do it... thoughts?
cheers.

Wintersong

How would you register him as British if he's not entitled to British citizenship?

If your son wasn't born in the UK, I don't believe he is entitled to citizenship since you are British by descent. It doesn't look as though he'll have any right of abode.

Pulaski

Wouldn't the son have right of abode if the son was born in certain (not all) Commonwealth countries?

kateinbrooklyn

If you're going to register, you might as well apply for a British passport. I did it for my 6-year-old earlier this year and it was easy and really fast.