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I was born on an air force base in England in 1989. I have a birth certificate for the US and I have one for England. ( Well I have four birth certificates but those are the main two). I know that I am an american citizen but I'm having a hard time finding British law on whether or not I am technically a dual citizen. I know the dual citizenship laws vary from country to country. I would love some help. Even if someone can point me in the right direction for where to look that would be fantastic. I feel like I am running in circles trying to figure this out.
Thanks for any help!
We were talking about this in my unit the other day. Apparently there are countries that do not grant citizenship to the children of SMs who were born overseas. For example, my friend's daughter was born in Germany but she does not have dual citizenship because of German laws.
That said, I can think of two avenues (besides internet searches). The first avenue would be to contact Congressional representative. They either will have, or will find, a professional Congressional staff member that deals with military affairs. The second avenue would be to contact the UK embassy. I think those routes give you the best chance to have a solid answer.
I was born on an air force base in England in 1989. I have a birth certificate for the US and I have one for England. ( Well I have four birth certificates but those are the main two). I know that I am an american citizen but I'm having a hard time finding British law on whether or not I am technically a dual citizen. I know the dual citizenship laws vary from country to country. I would love some help. Even if someone can point me in the right direction for where to look that would be fantastic. I feel like I am running in circles trying to figure this out.
Thanks for any help!
From their equivalent of INS, it does not look like you automatically qualify for citizenship if your parents were American citizens simply serving overseas in 1989. I don't believe that meets the definition of "legally settled."
"If you were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983
If you were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983, you are a British citizen if at the time of your birth one of your parents was:
a British citizen; or
legally settled in the UK"
[...]
"If you were born in the UK to parents who are not British citizens and are not legally settled here
Even if you were born in the United Kingdom, you will not be a British citizen if neither of your parents was a British citizen or legally settled here at the time of your birth. This means you are not a British citizen if, at the time of your birth, your parents were in the country temporarily, had stayed on without permission, or had entered the country illegally and had not been given permission to stay here indefinitely."
[...]
"Definitions:
Legally settled Living in the United Kingdom with permission to stay here permanently (this includes indefinite leave to remain).
Settled You are normally resident in the United Kingdom with no immigration restriction on the length of your stay. To be free of immigration restriction you must have the right of abode or indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom"
We were talking about this in my unit the other day. Apparently there are countries that do not grant citizenship to the children of SMs who were born overseas. For example, my friend's daughter was born in Germany but she does not have dual citizenship because of German laws.
That said, I can think of two avenues (besides internet searches). The first avenue would be to contact Congressional representative. They either will have, or will find, a professional Congressional staff member that deals with military affairs. The second avenue would be to contact the UK embassy. I think those routes give you the best chance to have a solid answer.
Really? When I was in Frankfurt in the mid-eighties there were several friends who had dual citizenship for their children. People thought I should have applied for my Son (97th Gen Hospital), but it could have meant that he would have had to serve if they called him in case of war.
Miss-Marker~
I do agree with ArtyGuy that the UK embassy would probably be the best bet. I wish you good luck and hope that you get the results that you are seeking.
Really? When I was in Frankfurt in the mid-eighties there were several friends who had dual citizenship for their children. People thought I should have applied for my Son (97th Gen Hospital), but it could have meant that he would have had to serve if they called him in case of war.
Miss-Marker~
I do agree with ArtyGuy that the UK embassy would probably be the best bet. I wish you good luck and hope that you get the results that you are seeking.
Germany bases citizenship on "jus sanguinis"
Being stationed in the UK does not satisfy "settled" in the sense of indefinite leave to remain.
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