It's not likely unless the rules have changed. My father married my mother in 1955 and she remained a British subject, never naturalized.
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Is dual US/UK citizenship possible?
- Thread starter jb60606
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It's not likely unless the rules have changed. My father married my mother in 1955 and she remained a British subject, never naturalized.
I am a spouse (and was one back when this thread was started).
/better late than never
US/British Citizenship
Hello...hopefully someone has a bit of insight for me. Currently I live in Texas, US, born in Massachusetts, US..My mother is 100% British born and raised and has duel US/British citizenship and resides in the US. For work purpose, I'd like my British citizenship... What is the process and where do I start? Is this a good move? Your thoughts?
Hello...hopefully someone has a bit of insight for me. Currently I live in Texas, US, born in Massachusetts, US..My mother is 100% British born and raised and has duel US/British citizenship and resides in the US. For work purpose, I'd like my British citizenship... What is the process and where do I start? Is this a good move? Your thoughts?
I was born in Canada but am a US citizen. My children are entitled to Canadian citizenship cards if we submit the required documentation. The UK may have a similar procedure. Check on a UK consular or embassy website.
British Immigration and Passport law can be a bit confusing, and is different in several important ways from US law.
I'd start out the British dot gov site to determine if you are already a British Citizen. (You may be already, depending on your date of birth.)
From there, its fairly straightforward process to apply for and receive a UK passport - presuming you meet the eligibility requirements. Be prepared to provide all sorts of documents (ie. a copy of your mother's birth certificate, etc.)
Holding a UK passport certainly makes it a lot easier to live and work in the UK and EU. But its not a totally free ride.
For one thing, as a US citizen, you need to make sure you always use your US passport when entering or leaving the US. And for another, for various reasons Immigration and Security people are somewhat wary of individuals with two passports. Be careful of telling people this fact, unless you absolutely have to.
I think this is close to the accurate situation. I have dual nationality, having been born in the UK but of American parents, and grew up largely in NYC. I carry both US and UK passports and have never had any issues in renewing or obtaining replacements foe either. I would guess that if the OP marries a British girl, then she would certainly retain her UK citizenship. As far as the US side of things goes, I would check into it...she might have to do a citizenship test of some kind to obtain a US passport...Basically memorise the pledge of allegiance and probably a few questions about American history...nothing major though.
One fun thing worth considering is taxation. Dual citizenship may create additional tax liability (even if it's just more form-filling rather than actually being taxed more). I believe this is more of an issue for US citizens resident in other countries than vice versa, and I have read that the IRS is fairly unusual in pursuing this approach compared to other countries' tax authorities. But, I'm neither a tax expert nor a dual citizenship holder, so I would suggest further research.
Did you ever end up getting your dual nationality. I have and can assist you with the process if you need it.
There is another dimension to the wider discussion of dual citizenship (which would not really apply in the case of UK-US dual citizenship as such a case would not be expected to arise all that often), and it is this: If you are in the country (visiting, studying, conducting business) of one of your citizenships, and - for one reason or another - fall foul of the law while there, you will not normally be able to call upon the consular assistance of your other citizenship, whereas, if you were in a third country, you would be able to do so, and have the right to do so.
Likewise, the holding of a second passport (and citizenship) will not exempt you from legal requirements you may face as a citizen of the first country, while you are resident in that first country (here, obligatory military service used to be one example often cited).
Likewise, the holding of a second passport (and citizenship) will not exempt you from legal requirements you may face as a citizen of the first country, while you are resident in that first country (here, obligatory military service used to be one example often cited).
Thanks. I was able to obtain Canadian citizenship certificates for my children after submitting the required documents. One important caveat for U.S. citizens who intend to obtain citizenship in another country: don't do anything that can be construed as relinquishing your U.S. citizenship unless that's what you really want.
And even if you don't have dual citizenship, you can end up being required to do taxes twice.
I'm an American who hasn't lived in the US since 1987 and who has no financial ties whatsoever to the US. But each year I have to file a Norwegian tax report (understandable, since I live and work there) and an American tax report (not as easy to understand - it's a lot of work only to write "0" at the end, sigh).
US citizens are required to pay US income tax on their income no matter where in the world they live.
I've spent many years as an ex pat paying local country and US income tax.
There is a meager foreign tax credit, however it does not cover much if you have a professional income outside the US.
Every time I hear about how inept and useless the US (and its IRS) are when it comes to things like taxes, I'm reminded of this.
Because the reality is that US tax law, and its IRS enforcement arm, are probably the world standard when it comes to fairly assessing and collecting taxes from its citizens.
I just got done watching the Hungarian Grand Prix (Formula 1). Both Lewis Hamilton (a British citizen) and Nico Rosberg (a German citizen) make many millions of dollars/Euros/pounds in income each year. But escape paying income taxes in their home countries because they maintain tax domiciles overseas.
That situation is fundamentally unfair to every other regular citizen of those countries. A British doctor or accountant. A German entrepreneur or plumber. Those people simply cannot opt out of paying income tax by buying an apartment in Monaco and keeping the number of days they spend in their home countries under 180 (or whatever.) The German plumber, the British doctor - all have to spend the majority of their time in their home countries in order to earn their livings.
And I compare that to the United States. Which wisely taxes its citizens and residents on their worldwide incomes.
I don't feel ripped off if Beyonce or Jeff Zuckerberg buy an apartment in Monaco. Because, regardless of how much time they spend there, I know they'll pay the tax thats appropriate. As reasonable people, we can discuss what that rate might be. But the super-rich don't have the option of simply opting out of the US tax system, merely by taking advantage of a fundamentally rigged system.
If you are a US citizen, today give a tiny thought of thanks to the wisdom of our tax laws and our tax collectors. Because they do a heck of a better job than their European, Asian, and African counterparts.
I can only speak for the combination of Norway and the US, since that's been my life for the past 29 years. The US and Norway have a tax treaty to avoid double taxation. Because I pay taxes in Norway, where my income is generated and where I live, the US doesn't require me to pay taxes on that income again. I have to jump through some time-consuming hoops to document my income and the amount of tax I've paid, but basically it's just yearly bookkeeping. I'm thinking many other countries likely have similar rules.
And at this point I'll put on my admin hat and remind us all that this thread isn't in PRSI, so the discussion needs to be kept to the general question of dual citizenship and it's ramifications (of which tax is one), without venturing into political debate.
Carry on.
I have a niece and nephew who hold Canadian, US, UK and Israeli citizenships.You can hold as many nationalities as you want or can get!