Losing UK citizenship

[william_wallace 8]

Whats does actually happen after 5 years when you naturlize. Do i become 100% US citizen or do i have the option of having dual citizenship with the UK? Obviously my fiance and i dont know how the future holds as in whether we want to stay in the USA or not. We have talked about maybe in 10-15 years time to move back to Scotland. Will we have any problems if we want to do this once i become a US citizen, or do i lose all ties altogether?

Thanks

[thejoz 0]

I don't know all the specifics, but if you don't actively renounce your citizenship from the UK, I don't believe you lose it.

The US does in fact recognize dual-citizenship, but apparently only if you come from another country and gain ours.

Like, I can't go to the UK and become a British citizen without losing my own US citizenship. However, my fiancee, after she gets her US citizenship she doesn't lose her British one far as I know.

You will probably want something more official, but I know I read about it and it seems okay.

[gwenneh 7]

Like, I can't go to the UK and become a British citizen without losing my own US citizenship.

Yes, you can. I'm a US expat myself and know plenty of US-UK dual citizens.

From the Department of State website (Link here):

"A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth."

You would have to actively renounce your US citizenship to lose it.

[gwenneh 7]

Like, I can't go to the UK and become a British citizen without losing my own US citizenship.

Yes, you can. I'm a US expat myself and know plenty of US-UK dual citizens, US citizens who have applied for and received UK citizenship without renouncing your own.

From the Department of State website (Link here):

"A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth...In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship."

You would have to actively renounce your US citizenship to lose it. It's all there on the website.

Edited October 21, 2007 by Gwen666

[Rob & Jin 0]

Whats does actually happen after 5 years when you naturlize. Do i become 100% US citizen or do i have the option of having dual citizenship with the UK? Obviously my fiance and i dont know how the future holds as in whether we want to stay in the USA or not. We have talked about maybe in 10-15 years time to move back to Scotland. Will we have any problems if we want to do this once i become a US citizen, or do i lose all ties altogether?

Thanks

You dont loose it, I have 3 now Aussie, UK, and USA. Just in reality you use just USA as you no valid visa in the others, NO green card for re-entry, you hand it in when you get natralized.

[athena_ny 1]

You have to actively renounce it to lose it. The US won't recognize it, but that is to prevent you from (if you get in trouble) going to the consulate for assistance with legal issues, etc.

[snowfrostedlashes 0]

Mmm, I wondered about this, but from the research I've done it seems that you would have to renounce citizenship in front of an official representative of the UK... if you don't and just go through the normal US citizenship process the UK doesn't acknowledge that as loss of citizenship and will still regard you as having the right to move back and live in the UK. Well, that's my understanding of it anyway.

I'm relieved by this because should the worst happen and something happen to my significant other (e.g. unexpected death) and I was left with either very young children (pre-school age) or no children, I would like to have the option of returning home to my family as I would no longer have any reason to stay in the USA.

~ Hannah

[NYPeach 13]

As others have said, you do not have to give up your citizenship. Many VJers have dual US/UK citizenship.

When traveling and you go through immigration at the airport, you use the passport you hold for that country.