Questions about my Son's Dual Citizenship?

[The Lovely Mrs T 0]

Hello all. I am new to this forum, and I hope someone can help me with my inquiry.

I am a US citizen, and a new permanent resident of Canada. I gave birth to a baby boy in April, and we plan on going down to the States to visit my family, and to introduce my son for the first time. However, the entry requirements for US citizens and dual citizens have my stomach tied in knots.

As much as I would like to go down and get things done right now, there are documents that I can only get from the states, and I can't feasibly go down and get them myself right now. I lost my divorce decree via my immigration proceedings in Canada (a terrible mistake which is coming back to haunt me), and every time I try to call the courts to get a copy, they can't seem to find my file. And I know I need a copy of it to get my son's records. Also, I need to prove that I've lived in the states for a set amount of years and while some sources have been helpful, others aren't so much. It's been a nightmare to say the least.

So we need to visit my hometown, and I need to take my son with me, but I am afraid of what will happen when we reach the border. Sure, we'll have a Canadian birth certificate and even a passport for him, and I do intend to take him down and get this sorted out, but I am afraid they will turn my son away (I have a US passport, my husband will have his enhanced driver's license) because I don't have, at least in my mind, the proper documentation. Is there anything I can do in this instance? My family really wants to meet my son, and I want my son to meet my family.

Thanks for your consideration. I graciously await any and all replies.

[raymaga 25]

As a U.S. citizen, you are free to return to the U.S. anytime.

Your husband (if he's a Canadian) will need a passport or enhanced driver's licence to enter the U.S., as well as proof of ties to Canada that show he will return to Canada after his visit to the U.S. He should take either a letter from his employer or lease/mortgage documents to prove his ties to Canada.

Your son will derive U.S. citizenship from you. Others here on VJ with more information will chime in here to give you their advice as well as what the procedure is to get your son's U.S. citizenship.

Congrats on the birth of your son, and hope you have a good visit with the "grandparents"!!!!

Edited September 10, 2009 by raymaga

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I'm not a medical professional, but I believe you have a case of paranoia. I respectfully suggest that you might want to have that checked out.

As a US citizen you don't have to prove squat when entering the US. You could have lived on planet Pluto all of your life, wear a purple rubber mask, red rubber gloves, a beard, and they wouldn't have the right to ask you for the time of the day at the border as long as you look remotely like the photo in your US passport.

Your baby, also a USC, equipped with a birth certificate and a passport, will also have zero, nada, nilch, none problems to enter HIS country.

If your husband, a Canadian citizen, has an enhanced driver's license, he will also get through the border without problems.

I know that there are people who are afraid of leaving their home, fearing weird things. Your fears are somehow on the same level, but less dramatic. I don't know who could help you other than a psychologist or psychiatrist. Luckily, as a Canadian resident, you have access to the finest healthcare in the World. Take advantage of it!

[The Lovely Mrs T 0]

There reason I worry is due to the fact that I still need to get certain documents to get my son's consular record from the US embassy here in Vancouver - and I won't have an opportunity to get them until I get down to the states for the Holidays. It is my understanding that all US citizens must announce they are citizens when they reach the US border - yes, I'll have my son's canadian birth certificate, but until I get my documents, I am worried that we might be turned away.

Still, I hope for the best. Paranoia is a pesky foe.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Mrs. T,

You are an American citizen, and you have a valid US passport.

Your son is a Canadian citizen, and you have his birth certificate and his Canadian passport.

Your husband is a Canadian citizen as well, and has an enhanced driver's license.

You'll heading home to the US, at which time you'll have your son's birth registered in the US.

You have not committed a crime.

You have not crossed the Rio Grande, your hair dripping wet.

You do not intend to do anything illegal in any way, shape, or form.

Since your son can't state his US citizenship, first of all because he's an infant, secondly, because it hasn't been registered yet, you are facing fears that are totally unfounded. Nobody is going to arrest you, throw you in a dark dungeon, and sell your child into slavery.

Again, your problem is not the US officials; your problem is your irrational fear. Imagine for a moment that you watch the President of the United States giving a speech on national TV. All of a sudden, he's ripping off his rubber mask and we all see a green, reptile-like head, slime dripping down his chin. Impossible? Not at all, just not very probably .

Fears like this are messages from our brain that something is out of balance. You'll be fine.

Oh . . . is it happy hour already?