UK dual citizenship

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I met a guy at the post office today (quite a rude guy actually but that's beside the point). He made some comment about the UK versus Australia "feud" I mentioned I was a dual. Then we got talking about US citizenship.

First a little background. He is from England and was born there. He has at least 2 kids. One is dual UK/US and one is only US. That is where I'm a bit confused. He said his US child isn't dual because she "missed the boat" on that because she's older than 18. I told him that the law changed sometime after I got my dual UK/Aussie because when I did it you HAD to be under 18 to claim it but now it's different because my brother hasn't got his yet (and he's 22) and there doesn't appear to be any issue for him to claim it.. now I'm a little concerned.. not a lot 'cause I've looked into it but I'm seeing clarification.

I asked him if he was dual UK/US. He said no because he would have to give up his UK citizenship. I told him that he wouldn't and he said that the US doesn't permit dual once you're older than 18 and that he would have to stand up and revoke his UK citizenship. I told him that couldn't be the case because I know of MANY dual UK/US and he explained that the US decides that when you get USC after 18 you are ONLY USC.

Now I know the US doesn't recognise dual but I also know it doesn't stop it, and that it's your home countries rules that matters. I also know that UK permits dual.. so while I'm pretty confident that he's wrong I still would like some dual UK/USCs who obtained it after 18 (or who plan to) to tell me this is okay. He said he spoke to a lawyer about it (I told him lawyers are useless) and he even SAID it wasn't an immigration lawyer.

So, can I get a few confirmations that this guy is full of #######? I know I don't lose my Aussie and I don't wanna lose my UK either and like I said, pretty confident he's wrong but can someone tell me for sure?

[YuAndDan 153]

Moving this one to the Citizenship forum...

[Myopia 93]

I met a guy at the post office today (quite a rude guy actually but that's beside the point). He made some comment about the UK versus Australia "feud" I mentioned I was a dual. Then we got talking about US citizenship.

First a little background. He is from England and was born there. He has at least 2 kids. One is dual UK/US and one is only US. That is where I'm a bit confused. He said his US child isn't dual because she "missed the boat" on that because she's older than 18. I told him that the law changed sometime after I got my dual UK/Aussie because when I did it you HAD to be under 18 to claim it but now it's different because my brother hasn't got his yet (and he's 22) and there doesn't appear to be any issue for him to claim it.. now I'm a little concerned.. not a lot 'cause I've looked into it but I'm seeing clarification.

I asked him if he was dual UK/US. He said no because he would have to give up his UK citizenship. I told him that he wouldn't and he said that the US doesn't permit dual once you're older than 18 and that he would have to stand up and revoke his UK citizenship. I told him that couldn't be the case because I know of MANY dual UK/US and he explained that the US decides that when you get USC after 18 you are ONLY USC.

Now I know the US doesn't recognise dual but I also know it doesn't stop it, and that it's your home countries rules that matters. I also know that UK permits dual.. so while I'm pretty confident that he's wrong I still would like some dual UK/USCs who obtained it after 18 (or who plan to) to tell me this is okay. He said he spoke to a lawyer about it (I told him lawyers are useless) and he even SAID it wasn't an immigration lawyer.

So, can I get a few confirmations that this guy is full of #######? I know I don't lose my Aussie and I don't wanna lose my UK either and like I said, pretty confident he's wrong but can someone tell me for sure?

Full of #######.

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

I plan on getting my UK citizenship when Glyn and I move back to England. While the US doesn't "ALLOW" duel citizenship, as long as I do not denounce my US citizenship, I will not lose it. From what I have read, the UK citizen oath ceremony does not require you to denounce your citizenship of another country.

This is the oath and allegiance I found on the UK Border Agency page.

Oath of allegiance

I (name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.

Affirmation of allegiance

I (name) do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.

Pledge

I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.

[* Kristin * 49]

Correct -

I've lived in the UK the last three years (until Feb of this year) and know lots of Americans with citizenship in both the UK and US...

I personally wouldn't want to study for the UK citizenship test ;-)

I plan on getting my UK citizenship when Glyn and I move back to England. While the US doesn't "ALLOW" duel citizenship, as long as I do not denounce my US citizenship, I will not lose it. From what I have read, the UK citizen oath ceremony does not require you to denounce your citizenship of another country.

This is the oath and allegiance I found on the UK Border Agency page.

Oath of allegiance

I (name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.

Affirmation of allegiance

I (name) do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.

Pledge

I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.

Oh... and a friend of mine just got her Irish citizenship and she's 25 (she got this through her father). So she's now Irish and US...

Correct -

I've lived in the UK the last three years (until Feb of this year) and know lots of Americans with citizenship in both the UK and US...

I personally wouldn't want to study for the UK citizenship test ;-)

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Full of #######.

Like Jesus, you can try to guide the blind, but if they insist in running in the other direction, let 'em go . . . .

[ldobson 2]

He doesnt know what he is talking about.. take it from a UKC/USC who is well over 18 years of age and as of this month has dual citizenship!

Now neither country will officlally recongise "Dual Citizenship" but that doesnt stop you from carrying two passports. Its a fact that most UKC's wouldnt give up their citizenship and become USC's unless dual was possible as a British passport is one of the most valuable documents you can carry (given it gives you automatic entry to both the UK and European Union) to live and work without restrictions.

[Barbara J 115]

He doesnt know what he is talking about.. take it from a UKC/USC who is well over 18 years of age and as of this month has dual citizenship!

Now neither country will officlally recongise "Dual Citizenship" but that doesnt stop you from carrying two passports. Its a fact that most UKC's wouldnt give up their citizenship and become USC's unless dual was possible as a British passport is one of the most valuable documents you can carry (given it gives you automatic entry to both the UK and European Union) to live and work without restrictions.

As an Aussie we don't have to become USC do we? I do not want to give up my Aussie citizenship and plan on just being a permanent resident here as who knows what the future may hold. I am not giving up my Aussie passport and don't really want a US one.

[ldobson 2]

As an Aussie we don't have to become USC do we? I do not want to give up my Aussie citizenship and plan on just being a permanent resident here as who knows what the future may hold. I am not giving up my Aussie passport and don't really want a US one.

No you dont have to become a USC, I don't think even if you did that you would have to give up your aussie passport though. Living here as a LPR is fine, you just have to renew your green card every ten years!

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

No you dont have to become a USC, I don't think even if you did that you would have to give up your aussie passport though. Living here as a LPR is fine, you just have to renew your green card every ten years!

I have a co-worker that has been here for many many years and is also an Aussie. He has never chosen to get his citizenship....and he just recently went to the immigration office to renew his green card. Its not a problem at all, as long as you follow the law (you could be deported for breaking the law as an LPR) and you don't want to vote and you keep up your status (meaning you don't leave the country for a long length of time)

[nigel 7]

Do you know this Guy? or is it somebody you just had a conco in the Post Office?

Tell him from me.... he's Full of B.S and if you ever see the jerk off Chicken again, hand him over to us and we eat his larmy #######, and wish after he was a dual citizen

[Paul_Sasha 4]

I am dual UK / USA and there is no problems for the children that I know of.

there is a state dept list of countries that are acceptable for dual citizenship.

having said that : both countries must be willing to issue passports etc.

The UK (Crawley office I believe) may insist of 12 months inside the UK

before allowing issuance of a UK passport / citizen ship test. IF the child

over 18 goes to study in the UK or possibly work (petitioned by the father) then

there should be no problems.

However: if the father is a US government employee or contractor

then the use of UK (or any dual) Citizenship is not allowed.

The overseas passport has to be retained by the US govt as far as I know

until the employment term is up or renouncing of overseas citizenship.

note this information I post here is old, many changes may have altered the

older way of doing things.

[coraliesolms 47]

The only country that I am aware of that absolutely does NOT allow dual is China. In fact, as a South African, I can go to the SA embassy and let them know that I will be getting my US citizenship soon, they make note of it in their comps, and whammo, I can keep my SA citizenship with no problems.

When you enter and leave the US you will have to use your US passport or greencard, as the US government will only recognize their own citizenship.

[Nero 17]

Full of #######.

Like Jesus, you can try to guide the blind, but if they insist in running in the other direction, let 'em go . . . .

Could you answer a quick question along this line for Germany? My fiance has duel citizenship with Germany. We are going through the K1 process so we can marry and she can become a USC. She doesn't want to give up her German citizenship entirely, and I would like our children to have duel citizenship as well. Would I be able to also apply for duel citizenship with Germany? Now I read another forum and it said only children of German citizens, but, perhaps with a marriage I can apply and carry both passports, if not, at least our children can. Second, my fiance's passport is German, but she still already has dual citizenship (not with the UK, but she's living and working in the UK under her German passport) - Would she have to give up either citizenship to become a USC as well? Thanks for your help, we're both fairly ignorant of the process.

[NickD 203]

Department of State doesn't like the term of dual citizenship, they prefer dual naturalization instead. Although, I am not sure of the difference, if you were naturalized or born of that country, you are also a citizen of it.

Wife does have a situation with Venezuela, was naturalized there when she was 18, worked for 25 years and paid into their equivalent of SS. She has to maintain citizenship in that country if she wants her benefits. Even though I don't know why, she can't take that money out of that country. But do understand her other situation, she owns property in that country and to maintain possession of it has to again maintain her citizenship[, or is that naturalization? Since she was born in Colombia and really does not want to maintain citizenship in that country and just wants to visit her mom. She had to renew her citizenship to get a Columbian passport to visit her mom. That is because the DOS put her place of birth on her US passport.

I went around in circles with the DOS on this issue, they don't even know the law if there is a law, just said, it always been that way. That is one hell of an answer, but told me to contact my congressman. What an idiot, he doesn't even know where the restrooms are in the Capitol Building, even doubt if he knows where that is at. Does he even know that we have agencies like the USCIS and the DOS let alone all of their self created laws? We had no alternative but to renew my wifes' Colombian citizenship, you don't get a Colombian passport without that. Just so she could visit her mom.

Had no idea my country that I was expected to give my life for was so f__ked up!