Taking my Brit born child to the US

That's a very interesting point, Persephone. I wouldnt' have thought about it that way. One would *think* that it would be pretty obvious it's the same person just by the name and birth date. That said, there are so many common names (not just American ones, but British, and Asian etc) that things could get muddled up pretty quickly. Let's be honest, anything regarding paperwork, computer files, and governments is going to be extra prone to that!!

In addition to this, for citizens born abroad, time spent in the US counts towards their children's US citizenship and their ability to pass it on. I forget what the amount is but there's a point where time spent in the US reaches and means that children born to a child born abroad can claim US citizenship, which without the time spent in the US they wouldn't be able to do (hope I am being clear in explaining). So passport stamps and ticket stubs are records of this time and count in the accumulation of time. If you are looking to give your grandchildren the option of US citizenship, and are concerned because your child was born abroad, it's important that your child have a US passport if only for time-keeping purposes in this regard (assuming you are going back and forth to the US).

It's a very good point, SM. 

The US has a residency hurdle that a person must meet before they can pass citizenship automatically to their children.

I've had similar discussions with (of all people) our landlords - she's british, he's turkish, and they have a son and a daughter, and aren't getting a turkish passport for the little boy, due to future military obligations, etc.  I was concerned about any future draft on my potential sprogs, too.  Someone told me recently that dual-nationals aren't eligible for the selective service - but I don't think that's actually the case. 

You could always have him commit treason or genocide.... 

Or he could just be overweight or have asthma or allergies or nightmares or talk in his sleep or a million other things that can't be checked but will disqualify you.  You don't need to be a genuis to get out of serving if you don't want to.

Also, the Armed Forces don't want a draft either. It just caused massive issues and the quality of recruits is better since the draft ended.

It's a very good point, SM. 

The US has a residency hurdle that a person must meet before they can pass citizenship automatically to their children.

can you point me in the direction of info on this? 

didn't you post earlier that your husband is refusing to let her get her USC?

yep and I dont have to make my daughter a USC for her to have an american part in her. She half american and I'll support her in any decision she wants to take in becoming a dual but I refuse to make the decision for her

can you point me in the direction of info on this? 

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/passports/robirth.html

Child born in wedlock to two U.S. citizens: A child born outside of the United States or its outlying possessions to two U.S. citizen parents is entitled to citizenship, provided one of the parents had, prior to the birth of the child, been resident in the United States or one of its outlying possessions. (No specific period of time is required.)

Child born in wedlock to one U.S. citizen parent and one non U.S. citizen parent on or after November 14, 1986: A child born outside of the United States to one U.S. citizen parent and one non-U.S. citizen parent may be entitled to citizenship providing the U.S. citizen parent had been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for five years, at least two years of which were after s/he reached the age of fourteen. This period of physical presence must have taken place prior to the birth of the child.

Child born in wedlock to one U.S. citizen parent and one non-U.S. Citizen parent between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986: A child born outside of the United States to one U.S. Citizen parent and one non-U.S. Citizen parent, may be entitled to citizenship providing the U.S. Citizen parent had, prior to the birth of the child, been physically present in the United States for a period of ten years, at least five years of which were after s/he reached the age of fourteen.

Aha!  It says "may be" entitled, which means that it is not automatic, which means Ricki will have to apply, which means that if she doesn't apply, the child is not a US national, which means that no laws are being broken by bringing him to the US on a non-US passport.


 

Good find, Andrea!

Vicky

not to distract from the point of the original discussion, but what exactly are the costs (and hassles) involved to register a birth with the us embassy & get a social security number & us passport? 

http://www.uk-yankee.com/articles/advocacy.php?itemid=81

In bold, half way down. 

http://www.uk-yankee.com/articles/advocacy.php?itemid=81

In bold, half way down. 

many thanks

Does it only cost £65 to do this???

I think that's the fee just to register the birth.  I believe passports and other things might be extra. 

Seems like $65 plus $87 for the passport plus don't forget the fees for passport pics, travel to London, having to gather all the documentation etc. It could add up fast for multiple children. 

I don't recall any fees for gathering the documentation. You'd already have your child's UK birth certificate (though you do need the long form, but I think that's wise to have anyway). And you'd already have your US passport. Pics aren't too bad. I *think* I paid 5 quid at the place right by the embassy. We stayed with friends and took the bus to London. So all in all, not horrid. But if you did have to do it for multiple kids, especially all at once, that would definitely add up.