Full Version: Dual Citizenship
I know that my Ghanaian husband can one day in the future achieve dual citizenship. My question, is if anyone knows if the American wife of a Ghanaian can get citizenship in Ghana? Anyone had any experience with this? It would sure be more convenient for travel in Africa, and we might be going back in a few months. Thanks all!
QUOTE(AubreyJ @ Jan 2 2007, 09:37 PM) 
I know that my Ghanaian husband can one day in the future achieve dual citizenship. My question, is if anyone knows if the American wife of a Ghanaian can get citizenship in Ghana? Anyone had any experience with this? It would sure be more convenient for travel in Africa, and we might be going back in a few months. Thanks all!
Not sure if you have already found your answer, but I have dual citizenship "born overseas and migrated to the US". However, I happen to come from a country which insists that I maintain my citizenship there along with my US citizenship. However, it is my understanding that the US insists its "born" citizens chose one or the other unless you were born overseas, have parents from "that" country etc. I would start asking the Ghanian consulate in your area if the process is even possible.
Hope you are able to find all the answers you need.
chispas
That is untrue
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
QUOTE(felshen @ Jan 3 2007, 08:56 AM)
That is untrue
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
USA and UK both allow dual citizenship. It does not matter if you are a born or naturalized US citizen, you can be a dual citizen as long as the other country allows dual citizenship. Same is the case with UK, you are allowed to be a dual citizen.
You can be a dual USA and UK citizen.
Yes, as you are married to a Ghanaian (and a female) you can get citizenship almost automatically. You just have to apply for it. I don't know the application process, but you can find the Ghanaian constitution online and it is stated clearly there. If you were a male married to a Ghanaian woman, then the rules change and I think it becomes a little more difficult to become a Ghanaian citizen through marriage.
Good luck!
Good luck!
http://www.judicial.gov.gh/constitution/chapter_023.htm
"(2) Except as otherwise provided in article & of this Constitution, a person shall not be registered as a citizen of Ghana unless at the time of his application for registration he is able to speak and understand an indigenous language of Ghana. "
Start studying!!
"(2) Except as otherwise provided in article & of this Constitution, a person shall not be registered as a citizen of Ghana unless at the time of his application for registration he is able to speak and understand an indigenous language of Ghana. "
Start studying!!
QUOTE(Kanyiri @ Jan 3 2007, 12:16 PM)
"(2) Except as otherwise provided in article & of this Constitution, a person shall not be registered as a citizen of Ghana unless at the time of his application for registration he is able to speak and understand an indigenous language of Ghana. "
Start studying!!
Start studying!!
Haha! My Dagbani, albeit limited, as my husband likes to say "is coming!" I think though, because it says "Except as otherwise provided" and it also says "7 (1) A woman married to a man is a citizen of Ghana" that should cover it.... Although, now that I think of it, that would make any married woman at all a Ghanaian citizen....
Hmm... I'm going to look more into this...! Thanks!
I dont understand dual citizenship. I was born in Pakistan, naturalized in US. Pakistan does allow dual citizenship. BUT AT THE NATURALIZATION CEREMONY, IN TAKING THE OATH, they make your raise your hand say that you renounce all other citizenship.
Dual citizen can get in trouble if they work for the overseas government, become a diplomate for the other country or work in the armed forces of another country.
Dual citizen can get in trouble if they work for the overseas government, become a diplomate for the other country or work in the armed forces of another country.
awesome thread
great question
great question
QUOTE(felshen @ Jan 3 2007, 07:56 AM)
That is untrue
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
True I can have dual citzenship when my husband has lived with me for 6 months. I have immigration officers in Jamaica and they told me it would be a good thing if I get it because I am aloud 500 dollars worth of goods into the country. Therfore that can't charge many any duty on items.
QUOTE(sercontigo @ Jan 3 2007, 05:14 PM)
awesome thread
great question
great question
Ditto
QUOTE(felshen @ Jan 3 2007, 05:56 AM)
That is untrue
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship.
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship.
I guess the correct answer is based on laws of the country one wants to adopt. During the US naturalization ceremony, the ones I've been to and others in my family, were asked to raise their hand and "renounce" the other country. We then got new passports once we went back to our perspective natal countries. I attended a ceremony in December and my friend had to surrender her passport before receiving her certificate.
In short, some immigration officers might take the "Oath of Alligiance" more seriously than others and opt to take the old passports. This is a great thread to see the differences that come up for each one of us on the "road" to US citizenship.
QUOTE(felshen @ Jan 3 2007, 09:56 AM)
That is untrue
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
Felshen,
From my understanding, a woman isn't technically a citizen thru marriage to a nigerian unless she plans on domiciling in Nigeria for a certain period of time. I have a friend (american) that is married to a Naija and they do have a child. The child automatically has dual-citizenship, but when she applied for it, they told her that she had to be a resident there for at least 12months. And regardless, u still have to pay the fees. And even if you do acquire Nigerian citizenship, you can go almost no where with a Naija passport alone. You would definitely need your american passport if anything. A Nigerian passport would be good for just that...traveling to Nigeria only! Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings, but even my husband totally agrees with me. I'd just rather pay the fee for a visitor's visa anyway. It's easy and convenient especially with proof that you r married to a Naija.
Sweetee
QUOTE(felshen @ Jan 3 2007, 09:56 AM)
That is untrue
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
An American citizen can have dual citizenship as long as the country appied to doesnt require you to renounce your citizenship. I have made several inquiries into it myself and a friend who works in Nigerian Embassy explained it to me. You are technicinally a citizen immediately through marriage so all you need is the passport. At least that is the way it works in Nigeria. It is way cheaper and it can be done from here through the Ghana embassy although its cheaper to do it there when you arrive. If I am not mistaken, in the UK, an American has to chooes to be either American or British I think, they cant be both.
Felshen,
From my understanding, a woman isn't technically a citizen thru marriage to a nigerian unless she plans on domiciling in Nigeria for a certain period of time. I have a friend (american) that is married to a Naija and they do have a child. The child automatically has dual-citizenship, but when she applied for it, they told her that she had to be a resident there for at least 12months. And regardless, u still have to pay the fees. And even if you do acquire Nigerian citizenship, you can go almost no where with a Naija passport alone. You would definitely need your american passport if anything. A Nigerian passport would be good for just that...traveling to Nigeria only! Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings, but even my husband totally agrees with me. I'd just rather pay the fee for a visitor's visa anyway. It's easy and convenient especially with proof that you r married to a Naija.
Sweetee
Sorry for the double posting. Mistake on my part!
Sweetee
Sweetee
No hard feelinig Sweetie, I am not sure why my feelings might be hurt. I was simply stating the info that I recieved, and I was under the impression that the OP wanted info on a foreign passport and citizenship solely for the purpose of traveling.. I mean there is no other use for it and I am sure that everyone would agree with that.
quick question Sweetee.. When applyuing for your visitors visa, how is it different when you apply now, being married, versus when you applied before? I mean do you still need a letter of invitation and passport info from person inviting you and what do you say is the reason for your visit. Do they give you a longer visa versus the time alotted before?
felshen,
i can only tell you what i was told when i called the consulate in New York, b/c my husband and I plan on going to Nigeria this summer. Being that you are now married to a Nigerian, all you have to do is apply as before but make sure that you send in a copy of your marriage certificate to prove that you are married to a Naija citizen. State the reason as being that you are traveling with your husband to visit the family back home there and don't forget to send a copy of your husband's passport along with the application. Also, you can send a copy of your spouse's green card so that you can prove he is in the U.S. and also the flight itinerary for you both. You won't need an invitation letter anymore. You can apply for the one time entry or the multiple entry visa. The multiple entry visa is $220(only $100 more) You can also call them yourself at (212) 850-2235 or 2271. One more thing, its a good idea to have your name changed in your passport to that of your married name.
Sweetee
i can only tell you what i was told when i called the consulate in New York, b/c my husband and I plan on going to Nigeria this summer. Being that you are now married to a Nigerian, all you have to do is apply as before but make sure that you send in a copy of your marriage certificate to prove that you are married to a Naija citizen. State the reason as being that you are traveling with your husband to visit the family back home there and don't forget to send a copy of your husband's passport along with the application. Also, you can send a copy of your spouse's green card so that you can prove he is in the U.S. and also the flight itinerary for you both. You won't need an invitation letter anymore. You can apply for the one time entry or the multiple entry visa. The multiple entry visa is $220(only $100 more) You can also call them yourself at (212) 850-2235 or 2271. One more thing, its a good idea to have your name changed in your passport to that of your married name.
Sweetee
A bunch of my friends are Australians that married Ghanaians, they all have Ghanaian passports now.
Just in case anybody was still wondering- I got a hold of someone at the Ghanaian embassy, and was told that I still have to apply for a visitor's visa to get to Ghana, but after that I can apply for citizenship whilst in Ghana
Now this is an awesome thread. Very good information for those of us who are either marrying someone from Africa or are already married to them. I am going to be doing a lot of traveling to Nigeria and would like it to be a very easy entrance and exit. So it seems the best thing to do if it is allowed with your country to have dual citizenship. Thanks a lot for the info.
Im looking forward to getting my Ghanaian citizenship when I get to Ghana so that way when I go to other countries in West Africa I won't need to get visas since I can travel with ECOWAS priviledges.
QUOTE(All4Kweku @ Feb 19 2007, 06:35 PM)
Im looking forward to getting my Ghanaian citizenship when I get to Ghana so that way when I go to other countries in West Africa I won't need to get visas since I can travel with ECOWAS priviledges.
It gets very much annoying that I have to keep on applying for Nigeria visa with letter of invitation, my original passport, 2 passport photos, and my husbands copy of passport. I am so sick & tired of it. The last time I was in Nigeria we had spoken to a lawyer and she had mentioned that I need a Nigerwife visa & I can get it in the United States by applying for it. I informed my husband not to spend any money because I did not trust the lady. I was back in the states and I called the embassy and they informed me I had to get it over in Nigeria. My biggest lesson I had learned was not to trust any lawyer in Nigeria (my first instincts were right). She wanted money plus wanted me to go back to the states to apply. I was back in Nigeria & I have seen a male lawyer which seemed more real, but rushed out of time. I had to see a lawyer for me overstaying in Nigeria (overstaying 3 month visa) during my last trip & he said it was okay.
Anyhow, this is a good thread! How could I truely get a Nigerian passport that will allow me to travel anywhere? My husband can travel to Cameroun & Cotonou as he has went to Cotonou in the past with his passport.
just a word of caution - my boss has dual citizenship with the UK. She likes to go through the airport faster so she uses her British passport when arriving in the UK. However, upon re-entry to the US, she was given a hassle for not having had her US passport stamped by UK immigration. So just be careful when using your passports. 
I think the next time I am in Ghana I will also look into applying for a Ghanaian passport too.
I think the next time I am in Ghana I will also look into applying for a Ghanaian passport too.
QUOTE
It gets very much annoying that I have to keep on applying for Nigeria visa with letter of invitation, my original passport, 2 passport photos, and my husbands copy of passport. I am so sick & tired of it.
I know how you feel! I'm planning to go back to Liberia in June and November and the thought of having to apply for the visa each time makes me cringe. I was told I could get the Liberian passport in Liberia once we are married. I will definately check into it.
QUOTE(MileagePlus @ Feb 22 2007, 06:17 PM)
does the American have to leave his toothbrush at the border to become British? 
Mr Mileage,
I do not understand your post
wow, that was really mean.
QUOTE(gigo @ Feb 22 2007, 09:39 PM)
QUOTE(MileagePlus @ Feb 22 2007, 06:17 PM)
does the American have to leave his toothbrush at the border to become British?
Mr Mileage,
I do not understand your post
just saying make sure you get the stamps in your US passport when leaving and entering the USA so you don't get hassled coming back - guess the US officials want to know when you left the country, where you went and when you come back......
9/11 has made travel so not fun any more.
QUOTE
9/11 has made travel so not fun any more.
AMEN to that one.
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