Seeking Dual Citizenship...Need Help

Armada
New Member



Joined: 12 Sep 2008
Posts: 2

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 2:46 pm

 

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I am finishing up my degree and have decided to get my dual citizenship through my dad. I was born after 1983 in Canada where I was also raised. My parents were married when I was born with my father being British and my mother being Canadian. Due to a first year party mistake I got in a little trouble with the law. I wasn't given a criminal record but I know I have a file. On the check done by the Boarder Agency will the file appear and will it deny me?

Thanks for all the Help

p.s.
Am I correct in filling out form C1?

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admr_ozzel
New Member



Joined: 16 Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Toronto / Halifax

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:59 pm

 

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If your father was born British Citizen otherwise by descent, then the good news is that you're already a citizen (otherwise by descent meaning born in the UK, Isle of Man, Jersey, Faulkan Islands, military service or any other present day dependency).

You will use form C1 for adult passport applications. There's no need to obtain a registration certificate or naturalization no. Just post your father's birth certificate, his marriage certificate, your birth certificate and your passport to the High Commission in Ottawa as per instructed on the application form with fees & photographs. The documents will come back in a few weeks with your brand spanking new passport. An interview may be necessary to confirm your identity only, but they've been slow to introduce that in the old Commonwealth.

Fortunately for you, the border agency can't refuse citizens, not even those with records, criminal backgrounds, or felons. Britain has enough share of violent crime, so don't add to the problem.

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Armada
New Member



Joined: 12 Sep 2008
Posts: 2

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:57 pm

 

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That is what I thought, but it seems that each "official" web site I read has a different twist on the applicable law. My dad was born in England, and as far as I can trace back my entire family is from Britain. My dad did become a Canadian citizen in the 70's, and I don't think he had a British passport(it expired) when I was born, that wouldn't change things would it?

Thanks for the clarification, if I knew you I would buy you a beer!

And knowing that I work in a bank and hold a Canadian passport I couldn't see them questioning me about a small incident.

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admr_ozzel
New Member



Joined: 16 Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Toronto / Halifax

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:25 am

 

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You're quite welcome. Sorry, I was under the impression your father had a recent passport. But anyway, getting a UK passport here is probably easier than getting one in Britain.

Having said that, the English love bureaucracy. If he doesn't have a current UK passport, then my suggestion is that he should renew it right away. His lasped 30+ ago so he'll likely need to submit all the required documents (i.e. birth certificate). The process should be straight-forward, although it may be lengthy. Mine took 3 weeks to renew, although our family has been loyal "customers" to that Ottawa High Commission for over 20 years.

Once he has obtained a current passport, I would then recommend that you go forward with your application. The reason for that is that if you put in an application with the supporting documents, the High Commission may come back and ask that your father submit a recent passport. But given that you've already posted his birth certificate to them, it'll be a hassle for you to get them to post it back to you to accompany with his pp renewal application to move on with your own.

You might even be able to call the High Commission to (1) renew his passport (2) issue yourself a passport all in the same batch. Whoever picks up the phone, don't let them transfer you to the 1-900 number as they're useless.

You should be able to get it all done in less than 6 months, especially if you have all the documents (long form birth certs only, i.e. the old school full-sized ones that list your grandparent's occupations).

Good luck. Cheers,

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