Dual citizen without being in the United States? Possible?

[Neiru]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida

Can my son, who was born and is in the Philippines become a U.S. Citizen or have dual citizenship while living in the Philippines? He's still a baby and eventually he will come to the States, but I was wondering if he grew up there if he could gain an American citizenship or a dual citizenship since I'm an American citizen? Thank you. Can he do this even if he is not in the states?

 

[cbg]

Speaking as a dual citizen who was born in Canada to an American mother and Canadian father, your son already is an American citizen through you. I was eleven years old when my family moved to the US, but the immigration authorities recognized my sister, brothers and me as Americans through my mother's right.

As far as dual citizenship goes, that depends on the Philippines' attitude towards it. The US does not really recognize dual citizenship - it reluctantly acknowledges that other countries recognize dual citizenship.

 

[xylene]

Be sure to secure his US citizenship sooner than later.

 

[cbg]

Secure it how, xylene? If he is himself a US citizen then so are his kids, even if born elsewhere.

 

[xylene]

Secure it how, xylene? If he is himself a US citizen then so are his kids, even if born elsewhere.

Register the child with the US consulate, if not done.
Get the child his US passport - don't wait until it is pressing.

I don't want to be slightly macabre, but there are too many threads on here with foreign born people who are young adults struggling to prove their one parent jus sanguinis US citizenship. People pass away. Documents get waterlogged. It can be a hassle. It can be a tragedy.

The child's US franchise is incredibly valuable. Don't let it be 'left for later, when he grows up'.

 

[cbg]

Okay, valid point. I forget that it's a different era. My parents never registered my birth with the consulate, but I can't deny it would be a good idea these days.

 

[Neiru]

Register the child with the US consulate, if not done.
Get the child his US passport - don't wait until it is pressing.

I don't want to be slightly macabre, but there are too many threads on here with foreign born people who are young adults struggling to prove their one parent jus sanguinis US citizenship. People pass away. Documents get waterlogged. It can be a hassle. It can be a tragedy.

The child's US franchise is incredibly valuable. Don't let it be 'left for later, when he grows up'.

I'll look into the US consulate. I'll be there in Feb. I'm wondering if he has a US passport and is recognized as a US citizen, will he have to pay for a visa or will he still have the natural rights of a Filipino citizen. Because when I travel there I have to renew my visa depending on how long I'm there. My son may stay there for awhile and if he does, will go to schools and services there..etc. I just want it to be easy for him whenever he comes to the states to visit, study, or work later in life.

 

[ecmst12]

That would be a question of Filipino law, not US law, so posters here are not going to know the answer.

 

[xylene]

Because when I travel there I have to renew my visa depending on how long I'm there.

When you say "there" - what county do you mean? You as a citizen should not need a US visa for entry.

We can not advise you on Philippine law.

At some point you on behalf of your son need to look into seeing a lawyer to work out all the fine points.

The reality is that your son has jus sanguinis US citizenship via your citizenship. You want that to be assured, because things can happen that can complicate that. However their will be details to be worked out... I do not know if the Philippines has selective service, residency permits and visas... the status of his Philippine citizenship... etc.

Do you have both Philippine and US citizenship?

 

[Neiru]

When you say "there" - what county do you mean? You as a citizen should not need a US visa for entry.

We can not advise you on Philippine law.

At some point you on behalf of your son need to look into seeing a lawyer to work out all the fine points.

The reality is that your son has jus sanguinis US citizenship via your citizenship. You want that to be assured, because things can happen that can complicate that. However their will be details to be worked out... I do not know if the Philippines has selective service, residency permits and visas... the status of his Philippine citizenship... etc.

Do you have both Philippine and US citizenship?

I don't have Philippines citizenship, only his mother. I'm an American citizen. What I meant to say before is that when I travel there I need to renew my visa because I'm a visitor..a traveler's visa. I will look into this, thank you. My son may live there for a few or some years and I want him to have no worries. Whenever he needs or wants to come to the states for anything like studying or working I don't want him to have any issues.

 

[Zigner]

Are you married to the mother?
If not, then you will need to establish paternity of the child.

 

[Neiru]

Are you married to the mother?
If not, then you will need to establish paternity of the child.

Yes, happily married. It's just that she is there and I'm here for now.