Right of abode for U.S. citizen?

Hello, newbie to forum so bear with me.

I am a 30 year old male (born in 1976) U.S. citizen, married, who's mother was a citizen of the U.K.

My mother was married to a U.S. citizen for over 20 years till her death several years back, while retaining her U.K. citizenship the entire time.

Both myself and my wife are looking to move over within 1 to 2 years.

Ok, now to the questions!

I do qualify for right of abode right?

Do I qualify for duel citizenship?

What would be approximate time frame for that process if I do qualify?

How does me being married affect myself and/or my wife in this process or her living and working in the U.K.?

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm sure I'll think of some more questions, figured I would start off lite!

Mat

How did your mother get citizenship?  Was she born in the UK?  Was she British at the time of your birth?

Vicky

"How did your mother get citizenship?  Was she born in the UK?  Was she British at the time of your birth?

Vicky"

She was born and raised in the UK, as were her brothers and siters who still live in the UK (clydebank).

I'm not certain, but I think you may be out on a technicality:

http://www.britainusa.com/sections/articles_show_nt1.asp?d=1&i=41001&L1=10080&L2=41001&a=25317

It seems to say that citizenship was only conferred patrilineally prior to 1983.  I would double-check this, though.

If you do qualify, it seems that all you would have to do would be to file for your passport.  Your dual citizenship would be automatic, unless you formally renounce one or the other.  Voila!
(We're still gatherring paperwork for my hubby's passport.)

Then you have to get a spousal visa for your wife, and visas for any children.  The spousal visa process is relatively quickly accomplished...a matter of weeks after you get your paperwork together, and less if you can go to an appropriate consulate office in person.

From what I understand, you would have the same rights and responsibilities as any British citizen, and would be able to begin looking for work immediately.  The spousal visa would take care of legal employment for your wife.

If you find that you are eligible, keep in touch with me!!! I'm going through the citizenship by descent process in a very similar situation, and i'd love to have someone to compare notes as it seems there aren't that many out there.  My husband was born in 1979, but his citizenship is through his father.  But I've got tons of info about the process and etc, and this board is excellent for info on spousal visas.

according to this website:

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/nationality/formsandguidance/guideukm

it looks like yes, you DO qualify for British citizenship.  Read it carefully and you should be able to figure out your next step from there.

Yep.  There was an amendment to the 1981 act which says that, if you were under 18 on 7th February 1979 then you can still register.

Vicky

Oh how cool!  Hurrah futurecode, looks like you can pop right over after all!

So if he sticks around I won't be the only one on here doing it that way! 

Nice,

Thanks for all the info guys, and feel free to keep some info coming!

I was 99% sure I was eligable but, once I stumbled upon this sit, I figured I would ask seeing how much knowledge resides on here.

Coriolis, ya I try and keep in touch as I should be on here regularly from now on. Stubled across this site and it helped me more in one day then any other place has is the past several months.

I registered as a British citizen a while back now.  It was pretty painless.  We are in a slightly different situation than Coriolis' spouse, as we were born to British MOTHERS rather than British FATHERS.  So instead of citizenship being automatic you will indeed need to apply for registration.  Just make sure you have all the paperwork/documentation they ask for and you should be fine! 

So what instigated this move for you, Futurecode?

Most of the people on this forum moved/are moving either due to marriage or a job offer, and several are students studying abroad in the UK.  I'm curious as to others' motivations to pick up and move across an ocean.

(I looked at the link in your profile, btw, very pretty industrials!)

A lot of reasons really.

One, as life experience. I have always wanted to travel and have done so over here in the U.S. , so I figured I would give Europe a shot being that my financial situation allows that opportunity.

Also, 99 percent of my relatives live in England, and living in the states has hampered me from knowing them closely. So that's a huge bonus.

I've also been a electronic musician and DJ here in the states for many years, and while I have met with success, England and the rest of Europe allows me to open up more as that style of music is infinitely more accepted over there.

And it just feels right. I was born and raised by and woman who lived most of her life over there. So, even though I live my life here in the US, England just feels comfortable to me 'cause that's what I know. The funniest part of this site made that ring true also. I was reading through "LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known" in the moving forum ,and half the stuff people mentioned: Slang, Lifestyle, etc......... that stuff wasn't that weird for me, I thought it was quite normal.

Like I said, there are a lot or reasons I could give to why I want to move over. But to keep it simple and honest ....... I just DO. I know that's a weird and unsatisfying answer, but it's the truth.