Nationality?

[Angel#1]

I am British and my husband is a New Zealander.  Our baby will be born later this year in Singapore.

I know that we have to sign something to say that the baby will not be a Singaporean national.  But what do we do about registering with the UK and NZ High Comms?

Also, do we have to choose a primary nationality?

Will this cause problems for the baby in the future - the fact that he/she is born in a third country?  I heard it causes problems for their children in terms of not being able to be British.

I will be calling the High Comm to find out what I have to do, but would like to hear experiences and advice as I am sure there must be many other people out there who have been through the same thing!!

Thanks in advance!

[SoSo]

I am British & my wife is Japanese. Our daughter was born just about 6 months ago.

From my brief study of citizneship I understand that our daughter may take dual citizenship of Japan and UK until she is 18. From there the British system still recognises her has British - the Japanese system requires her to choose between the two. I think practically as long as she doesn't advise the Japanese authorities that she holds a British passport after 18, then she can get away with both.

Whichever way, her children do NOT automatically get the right to British citizenship. I have not gone into the details of how her children might get British citizenship if they wanted.

As for New Zealand, I have no real idea though from kiwi friends I have I seem to remember that the kiwis are pretty relaxed on dual citizenship.

I suggest you pop into both embassies to find out more details - they were quite helpful in Japan when I asked at the British Embassy.

Registration is very easy - just go to the British Embassy in Tanglin and you can register your child and if you want also get a new birth certificate. Do remember that you need to obtain a dependents pass from the Singaporean immigration (which we forgot for a while!)

As for your other posting, my wife had a not-so-bad pregnancy and things were quite straight forward from 4-5 months onwards though different women seem to react differently. My wife made sure she had plenty of rest, sleep etc and that seems to help. There is a good resource in Tanglin Shopping Centre (4/F) called "Childbirth Education" run by Anna Wong. It operates different classes that we found invaluable and it was good to share our experiences with others going through pregnancy.

[Ms Banana]

My baby was born last year in Singapore. We're holding Australian passport. We had to register her birth within 2 wks with the Singapore Birth/ Death Registry. They're in the same bldg with Spore Immig (Kallang Rd, nxt to Lavender MRT). Forgot which floor.
It was done within days, then we came to Aus High Com and filled out Citizenship by Descent. Got her Australian Citizenship within 5 workdays then applied for her passport and done within 5 wd too.

[JD]

My baby was born 6 months ago and we were able to register the birth at the hospital (Mt Elizabeth) and obtain the  Singapore birth certificate.
As both my husband and I are Brits, nationality was not an issue but be warned for us to obtain a British Birth certificate fom the High Comm and a passport it cost us $209.00 which they wanted payment in cash. My husband had to run over to Tanglin Mall to go to the ATM machine. The British Hign Comm staff were very helpful when I rang them with questions.
One other thing when you have your baby if the hospital photographer comes round get him to take some passport size photos of your baby (they have a special camera that sits above a cot on a stand). Whichever passport your child will hold its impossible trying to get a week old baby in a photo booth for a head and shoulders shot so save yourself the stress. The photographer ar Mt E was great and came back to the nursery 2 or 3 times to take the photos when baby wasn't crying or sleeping.
Good luck with the pregnancy. I barely knew anyone when I was pregnant so it was quite a lonely time for me.
After the baby is born, as soon as you can get the babies name done for the Moms and Babies group at St Georges Church Tanglin. I waited 4 months for a space but its great to get out with the little one, meet up with other moms with similar aged babies. Also consider joining the New Mothers Support Group, costs $10.00 and they have talks on various aspects of pregancy/child rearing as well as a social afternoon every month. Its a good good way for you to meet other pregnant and new Moms.
They advertise in the ANZA magazine but you do not have to be a member of ANZA to join the support group.

[KDX2000]

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs NZ website:

If you were born outside New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978, and one of your parents was a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent at the time of your birth, then you are likely to be a New Zealand citizen by descent. But you must apply to register your citizenship with us before you turn 24. If you do not, you will lose your citizenship on your 24th birthday.

Have a good look at:
http://www.citizenship.govt.nz
for more info.

[Brit]

In addition to your child being an NZ Citizen by descent, he/she is also eligible for British Citizenship by descent (how fortunate, having in future the freedom to choose to live and work in New Zealand, Australia and any EEC country!). The British High Comm in Singapore has a website but it is pretty useless; their New Zealand website is much more informative and answers some of your queries (look up "12 Questions And Answers about British Citizenship"):
http://www.brithighcomm.org.nz

Also I've seen birth certificates of expat babies born in Singapore - they are clearly stamped "Not a Citizen of Singapore" - and all my friends say that's just fine with them! Good Luck!