Gaining British citizenship

thedoc46 · 13 Feb 2015 at 20:45

Hi,

Wife and i are both British. Born and bred.. It's just that we decided to jump ship and go live on the other side of the pond over 10yrs ago. So anyway, since then, we've had two kids.. Both boys now 8 & 9. Both US Citizens and well not really old enough to really care. But I'm thinking about getting them British citizenship, so that if they ever needed it, they had it. America has all its pro's but also its cons. It's always nice to have most of the Western world at your tip, if need be. At least they will not have to go thru the rigmarole that I had to, to get over here. Should they decide to go spend some time over in the EU.

Anyone been thru gaining British citizenship? I obviously have not, given I'm a Brit..... So any pointers would be appreciated.

Thx

Uther · 13 Feb 2015 at 20:48

If you are both Brits aren't they automatically British citizens, IE dual nationality?

thedoc46 · 13 Feb 2015 at 20:51

Uther said:
If you are both Brits aren't they automatically British citizens, IE dual nationality?

Dunno,that's why I'm asking.. I had a quick look on uk.gov but its a little confusing. I believe if your father is British then you can gain it.. Seems a little easy to me... Maybe its cos they want your money !

thedoc46 · 13 Feb 2015 at 20:51

I'm almost an expert on US immigration, but know nothing about UK rules. lol

Uther · 13 Feb 2015 at 20:53

You could try this:
https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizen

EDIT: That seems useless lol! Maybe send an email to the British embassy in America and see what they say.

acemastr · 13 Feb 2015 at 20:54

Fairly sure they will have dual.

Did you both apply for US citizenship after the 5 years?

(I moved across the pond myself)

Hyburnate · 13 Feb 2015 at 20:58

Surely the embassy could answer these questions? :confused:

Azza · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:00

Hyburnate said:
Surely the embassy could answer these questions?

But so could GD... #1 source of answers for any question!

deuse · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:02

I think you have to come here with all your family to live and work to get your kids citizenship. But the laws have changed
so...

Hyburnate · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:04

deuse said:
I think you have to come here with all your family to live and work to get your kids citizenship. But the laws have changed
so...

Would make sense. At least OP doesn't get free healthcare. I'll get my coat I'm going to get hated on

Scuzi · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:05

It's a simple form I believe. Both of my boys are US citizens but born in the UK. Still haven't formally registered them as citizens. The Home Office said we have to but I'm not so sure. Anyway, I have the home office paperwork in front of me and it says the form (same form for kids born outside the UK) can be found at http://www.gov.uk/UK-visas-immigration

My lads are citizened to the hilt

You say you're an expert on US immigration. Would you mind if I picked your brains at some point in the near future? We want to move back to the US and want to get the ball rolling on the paperwork at the earliest opportunity.

[FnG]magnolia · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:05

I think deuse is right. You'll get a passport for them as you are both Brits but you won't (I think) get citizenship until they've been residents. I'm basing this on NZ law so might be pulling it out of my hat but I got permanent residency after 2 years and then citizenship after working and living in NZ for 5 years with provable ties to the country etc.

deltalinx · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:08

I have no idea regarding your question, but I have a question for you, do your children have American accents?

Uther · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:11

[FnG]magnolia;27628164 said:
I think deuse is right. You'll get a passport for them as you are both Brits but you won't (I think) get citizenship until they've been residents. I'm basing this on NZ law so might be pulling it out of my ass but I got permanent residency after 2 years and then citizenship after working and living in NZ for 5 years with provable ties to the country etc.

I'm in the process of getting Irish citizenship now, because my grandfather was born there. My wife is automatically an Irish citizen because her mother was born there.
Everywhere seems to have different rules, so a call to the embassy is going to be the best bet I think.

One · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:14

[FnG]magnolia;27628164 said:
I think deuse is right. You'll get a passport for them as you are both Brits but you won't (I think) get citizenship until they've been residents. I'm basing this on NZ law so might be pulling it out of my hat but I got permanent residency after 2 years and then citizenship after working and living in NZ for 5 years with provable ties to the country etc.

What's the difference between having a passport issued by the home office of a country and being a citizen of said country? I'm sure some countries are odd but in my naive eyes they're one and the same, shirley?

thedoc46 · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:21

Uther said:
You could try this:
https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizen

EDIT: That seems useless lol! Maybe send an email to the British embassy in America and see what they say.

Yes, tried calling the UK embassy in Washington, and it said on their recorded message, if you're interested in UK citizenship go to www.gov.uk :rolleyes:

Not much help there then..

thedoc46 · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:22

deltalinx said:
I have no idea regarding your question, but I have a question for you, do your children have American accents?

Up until the age of 4 they had UK accents, but now they're at school, yup they have that annoying twang..

thedoc46 · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:23

Scuzi said:
It's a simple form I believe. Both of my boys are US citizens but born in the UK. Still haven't formally registered them as citizens. The Home Office said we have to but I'm not so sure. Anyway, I have the home office paperwork in front of me and it says the form (same form for kids born outside the UK) can be found at http://www.gov.uk/UK-visas-immigration

My lads are citizened to the hilt

You say you're an expert on US immigration. Would you mind if I picked your brains at some point in the near future? We want to move back to the US and want to get the ball rolling on the paperwork at the earliest opportunity.

Sure, fire away, but your link is a page not found.

thedoc46 · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:26

acemastr said:
Fairly sure they will have dual.

Did you both apply for US citizenship after the 5 years?

(I moved across the pond myself)

Both of us are still British.. Only green card holders. But will apply for dual citizenship after the 5yrs that we've had our GC's... It's only been 3yrs so far.. We're able to be dual citizens, so why not eh !

Uther · 13 Feb 2015 at 21:26

Think he means this:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration