How do I get American Citizenship when only my dad's American?
I was just wondering what the procedure would be to get my American citizenship. I'm kind of stressing because I'm almost 18, which I was told is the deadline to get American citizenship. My Dad's an American citizen and my mom's Swiss. We have all lived in Canada for all my life. So what would I have to do to gain my American citizenship beofre it's too late? Thanks for you're help, -Justin
Immigration - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You can establish your American citizenship even when you are over 18 so there is no big rush. The way you do it when you are over 18 is a little different though. If you were born in the US you are already a citizen. If you were not born in the US but your parents where married when you were born your dad, or you after age 18, would have to register your foreign birth with US authorities to get your citizenship. Here is a good site with info on how to do that: http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/start_here/4birth_abroad.htm (Read where it says "establishing US citizenship later")
2 :
Can't give you a good answer because I don't know enough about your dad. To acquire "derived citizenship" through your dad, *he* has to meet residency requirements. There are a few facts that you have to prove satisfactorily to the consular officer. These are- 1) That your father is a US citizen. (A passport is a start; birth certificate helps.) 2) That he has *resided* in the USA for the right amount of time- generally five years after the age of 14. 3) That you are his child. (A Canadian birth certificate might be adequatel) If you were born in Canada, did your father not ask for an FS-240 when you were born? This is a consular "Report of Birth Abroad" which is frequently a very useful document for the consular officer. Have you ever had a US passport? That's also a very useful document, even if you were a baby, it's *proof* that you were a US citizen. If you have none of these, then you'll have to contact the local US consulate for help with the application. Best of luck!
3 :
I emphasis the citizenship of the parents never lost. So, in your case can be Swiss, American and Canadian. In two of them for the third root and that you already are. I'll leave a very interesting blog. http://blogdejuanpardo.blogspot.com/ Good morning and greetings from Spain.
4 :
if your dad hasn't registered your birth at the embassy in Canada or elsewhere, time's a wasting. of course, if he had, you'd already be a US citizen. get him to the nearest embassy or consulate in Canada. he'll have to show that he's had at least 5 years of US residency, including 2 since he turned 14, but for most folks that's not hard. check out usembassy.gov and you can find the websites of the embassy and all the consulates in Canada. go into the American Citizen Services section and you'll find what you're looking for and what you need to do.
5 :
Either way, derivative citizenship or sponsored for green card, your father has to initiate the process. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=8554a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=8554a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9c8aa6c515083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=9c8aa6c515083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
Read more discussions:
