Dual citizenship

[A Kiwi]

Does anyone have experience with dual citizenship for children of USA / NZ parents?

Are there any NZers out there who have married Americans, become US citizens, and been able to maintain dual citizenship? It seems it's fine with some countries and not with others... (I'm just wondering in case it's a need in the future).

[globetrotter]

Technically, the US does not allow dual citizenship

[one way traffic]

US requires when you become a citizen to renounce any other citizenships, but generally turns a blind eye if you take up another countries citizenship - as long as that country doesn't require you to renounce it's citizenship

So, all can be peachy is played correctly. I advise talking to a lawyer, probably a family law specialist in NZ for more specific advice

[A Kiwi]

What about for a newborn? Can I just go ahead and apply for a passport from both countries, or should I consult with a NZ lawyer next time I'm back down under (hopefully I'll get back there sometime before I give birth)

[one way traffic]

I'm not sure to be honest, i think you can but don't take my word on it - get some advice.  You don't have to be in the country to engage a lawyer.  

I'd suggest you get a friend or relative to track down a good lawyer and then get the advice over the phone and send payment via Telegraphic Transfer.  

Hope that helps

[kiwi2]

Here is what I have learned - hopefully it helps: -

If possible - try and have your baby in NZ - then they get granted citizenship rather than citizenship by decent that they cannot pass on to their children.

I am not sure of US requirements but I did experience that for my children they had to have kiwi first and then got aussie - the other way round they had to give up their Australian citizenship to have kiwi - it may be the same.

Quite a few expats just do not declare their children have other citizenships and just use the relevant countries passport to move in and out - the more the better especially in this day and age.

The NZ embassy here is an excellent help and they may be more useful to you than an expensive lawyer.

[A Kiwi]

Thanks for those replies.

Kiwi 2: Actually, I did talk with the Consular Officer at the NZ High Commission here last week. She didn't know about dual citienship with the U.S.

What she did tell me, re the passing on of citizenship issue if not born in NZ, was rather interesting. If the child is born o/seas and so gets 'citizenship by descent' and then we move back to NZ we can then apply for what is called a 'grant of citizenship' for the child which means that their citizenship becomes as if born in NZ, i.e.  their children can also be NZ citizens wherever they are born. Ironic titles, but apparently that's how it works.

For now, anyway. Of course, laws do change. E.g. I also found out from her that I missed my opportunity to have my married name entered in my passport. They stopped that late April. Now I need to decide whether to do a name change / passport change before getting my US spouse visa application approved, or whether to just leave it, and perhaps change it in the future.

[kiwi2]

Kiwi - if your child is going to have your married name in their passport - make sure yours is the same.

You will get no end of hassle travelling with a child with a different last name - especially in places like us, europe and some asian countries.

When your child is born (if in singapore) you will literally have 42 days to get a travel document - dont leave it, NZ just changed its photo requirements on 1 June so make sure you look at the info about that first, then by the time you apply for citizenship and passport (both apps can go in together) it will run close to the deadline - we have just snuck in with ours.

The main problem is getting a brand new baby to look directly at camera with eyes open on correct background with the right proportions and no props, hands, toys etc to assist - hope for a bright eyed tot and get in there fast with the camera!!

We paid the urgent fees - thank goodness or else we may have passed the deadline.

[A kiwi]

Bother! Sounds like I need to apply for a new passport this year before getting my spouse visa then. Either that, or carry our marriage certificate around when travelling in and out of countries!

[kiwi2]

Kiwi - I got mine endorsed with new married name after I had the dependents pass, through the NZ embassy.

In light of this no longer being done - just go for the pass, then get the details updated in your new passport.  The pass will be in your married name anyway, then just transfer the stamp over to your new married name passport.

It's all getting so complicated these days that I almost felt like I needed a letter from god to get a passport for our new one!!

[A Kiwi]

Kiwi2 ~ Just to clarify... I've been out of NZ for 3 years, got married (on visitor visa) in the US last year, before moving to Singapore later in the year. So I already have the dependants pass (and anything else like credit card here) in my single name, as they'll only use what's in my passport. I don't mind having all my documents here in my maiden name, as we're here on a short term assignment with my husbands work (another 18 months probably).

The issue with the name change is that we are in the process of applying for a US spouse visa, to give me permanent residency status in the US.  If I'd got my passport endorsed with married name before April of this year, it wouldn't be a problem. (Was planning to get it done on a trip to Sydney or NZ in the next few months, during my middle trimester... until I found out it was too late a week ago!)

So now I'm unsure as to whether to go ahead and get a new NZ passport before getting the US spouse visa, so that all my documentation can be in that name, or whether to stick with maiden name for now and change in the future, e.g. once I need a new passport in another 5 years time! The American system seems to be somewhat complex; despite not wanting to get a new p/p now, I do wonder if it would be easier in the long term.

Hope that makes things clearer! Thanks for your thoughts!