dual-citizenship?

D

Denise1952

Well-known Member
When my dad came to America from Canada, all his citizenship records were lost at the border in a fire (so the story goes). So dad stayed in America, as a citizen. I don't know anything else at this point. What I am wondering, is if Dad never had true, American citizenship, would I be half Canadian, I mean in citizenship? It's hard to become a Canadian citizen, and at one time, I wanted to be, as I have a lot of people up there. Not because I hate the US because I sure as hell don't, but just because I wanted to go there, live and work.

Does anyone know anything much about citizenship info? I know I can google a lot, but I like to talk to people who have actually dealt with dual citizenship etc.;) Denise
 

I'm a dual US/UK and don't really know about Canadian citizenship. But if you can prove your dad was a Canadian citizen, you are entitled to it as well.
 
If you have or can obtain a copy of your fathers birth certificate or proof of birth that document alone should tell his citizenship. Merely living in the U.S. for any period of time does not make one a citizen. Where were you born? That would establish your citizenship.
 

Ameriscot said:
I'm a dual US/UK and don't really know about Canadian citizenship. But if you can prove your dad was a Canadian citizen, you are entitled to it as well.
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Wow, if that's true, which I'm not doubting your word, I think that would be awesome. I have some folks that can check up there for me;) Thanks Ameriscot
 
Lon said:
If you have or can obtain a copy of your fathers birth certificate or proof of birth that document alone should tell his citizenship. Merely living in the U.S. for any period of time does not make one a citizen. Where were you born? That would establish your citizenship.
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Right, I did know that, or at least think that Lon, about living here doesn't make a citizen. I'm going to do some checking. I'm not sure who to contact, but Victoria, where my mom's side is from, is the capital, so that would be a good place to start hey:)!!
 
Our Illustrius Politician Ted Cruz was born in Canada, of an American mother and a Cuban father.. He moved to the USA as a child and had dual citizenship.. He has since renounced his Canadian Citizenship in hopes that helps him in his run for President in 2016.
 
My second wife was born and raised in New Zealand and lived in the U.S with her first American husband and their three American born girls. We married in 1992 and I encouraged her to apply for American citizenship. She did and wound up with Dual Citizenship and American and New Zealand passports. Her three daughters have Dual Citizenship as well and her two grand daughters that live in New Zealand also have Dual Citizenship.
 
That's great Lon, but I thought marrying a US citizen made you a citizen. Well, that would not make sense since my dad married my mom, but guess what, mom claimed she never had US citizenship either, oh gads, that could make me ALL Canadian;) This is getting interesting. Now I have to order my mom's birth certificate too. She was born in Victoria.

On my birth certificate, both her and my dad are listed as being born in Canada.
 
nwlady said:
When my dad came to America from Canada, all his citizenship records were lost at the border in a fire (so the story goes). So dad stayed in America, as a citizen. I don't know anything else at this point. What I am wondering, is if Dad never had true, American citizenship, would I be half Canadian, I mean in citizenship? It's hard to become a Canadian citizen, and at one time, I wanted to be, as I have a lot of people up there. Not because I hate the US because I sure as hell don't, but just because I wanted to go there, live and work.

Does anyone know anything much about citizenship info? I know I can google a lot, but I like to talk to people who have actually dealt with dual citizenship etc.;)

Denise
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If you were born in the USA.. you are an American Citizen. I think that since your father was born in Canada you would be entitled to dual citizenship.. but not sure.
 
Here's another fly in the ointment. At our home in Florida, we have several Canadians that come down just for the winter, but I know of one particular lady that has dual-citizenship because something about taxes. You can take it from there. I have NO idea how that works.
 
oldman said:
Here's another fly in the ointment. At our home in Florida, we have several Canadians that come down just for the winter, but I know of one particular lady that has dual-citizenship because something about taxes. You can take it from there. I have NO idea how that works.
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Hmm, don't know about that. I have read today, about being able to "become" a citizen of Canada, and it is almost exactly the same as it was 20 years ago when I was looking into it. You really have to have something worthwhile to contribute, which I think that is good. I mean, I believe in helping other countries, but we need to take care of our own first so we have something to share. I couldn't find anything on "retiring" and gaining citizenship (dual). I couldn't find anything on both parents being citizens, either alive or deceased. But I'll keep looking. I do know it is probably out of the question for me to go up and live there because my income is so low, and therefor, lower yet in Canada (the $ is worth less in Canada I believe. It used to be. Canadians would come across and shop in Bellingham when I used to live there (B'ham WA State).
 
oldman said:
You may also want to check out http://www.ancestry.com/ I think they give you a little information about your family before they make you join and pay for more information.
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I did check them, but even their trial demands your credit card number. I can't do that right now. I do have some good ancestry info on my mom's side but not on my dads' yet;)
 
Nwlady....even though your father's papers were lost there are still records. I had a birth certificate issue and found the best way to go was to get in touch with a Member of Parliament. Their staff know the ins and outs of how to proceed.

You mention that your income is low. There are places in Canada where you can still live cheap and yet nice. Victoria is certainly not one of those places. My area is and is attracting quite a number of people to the area for that reason. We thought we were a well kept secret but the secret got out.
 
My wife was born in New Zealand, married her first husband in New Zealand and they then moved to Canada.. That was in the early 1960"s ...
She always kept her New Zealand passport including up to today.. Never really thought of becoming a Canadian citizen as there wasn't any reason.. She has a Canadian social security card, has her landed immigrant status, and she gets a Canadian pension because she worked here for many years.. She divorced her first husband in the early 1990"s.. Had 3 children with him and they are automaticially duel citizens having New Zealand parents and been born in Canada..

We married in 1997 in Quebec and there was absolutely NO problem at all.. Naturally I am a Canadian.. The only thing she couldn't do was vote as you MUST be a citizen to vote..

Just last year, she decided to become a Canadian citizen after 49 years here in Canada..
She contacted her Federal member of Parliament and everything was done for her absolutely free including all the research.. Paid only for the official photo which is mandatory ($12.00) ...

As far as cheaper living goes, there are quite a few towns up here in Northern Ontario that are way cheaper than the huge city where life is expensive..
 
Lee said:
Nwlady....even though your father's papers were lost there are still records. I had a birth certificate issue and found the best way to go was to get in touch with a Member of Parliament. Their staff know the ins and outs of how to proceed.

You mention that your income is low. There are places in Canada where you can still live cheap and yet nice. Victoria is certainly not one of those places. My area is and is attracting quite a number of people to the area for that reason. We thought we were a well kept secret but the secret got out.
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Thanks Lee:) for all the info. I know what you mean about a well, kept secret getting out:) The tiny valley I grew up in still has only one store, one gas-pump, one church, one school, but it's peppered with fancy homes (mansions). It's not the cozy, simple life, place it used to be, sadly:(
 
My daughter was born in a foreign country where my late husband was serving with the US military. Of course, she has US citizenship because of being born to two US citizens, but she would have also been able to apply for citizenship in that country IF she were a boy. As a girl, she was not eligible for their citizenship. How's THAT for discrimination? The other problem was if we had had a boy, he would also have technically been obligated to serve in the military of that country, if he came back to the country. I'm sure they wouldn't have pursued it, but it was there "on the books".
 
I was born in Cuba but both parents were U.S. citizens, I had dual citizenship until it looked like I was going to be drafted, so I decided to enlist for 3 years and got to choose training. The Army told me I had to give up one citizenship, so since I didn't want to go to Africa and fight for Che and uncle Fidel, I gave up my Cuban citizenship so I could take the all-expense paid tour of the Mekong Delta, courtesey of uncle Sam.
 
I had dual citizenship (American,Cuban) until I chose to enlist in the U.S. Army, at which point I had to relinquish my Cuban citizenship. The government's policies change periodically, but you can check http://m.state.gov/index.htm. for current rules.
 

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