Who wants to be a British citizen???

When I first moved to the UK, I was adamant that I would NOT become a UK citizen.  Since I started working, though, I've started to change my mind.  I mean, I'm contributing to this society (albeit in a very small way)...so shouldn't I become an active, official participant?  I also have it in my head that being a citizen and having a UK passport would make things easier if DH and I have kids (dunno why I feel this way!).  And maybe it'd make adopting a child (if we decide to do so) a bit easier. 

It seems like there aren't any disadvantages in taking on UK citizenship, which leads me to think that I'll probably do it once I've been here long enough.  I'm not sure why I'm posting this...maybe to get an idea of why some people have chosen to take on UK citizenship whilst others haven't?  I know it's a personal decision, but I'm interested in why people have made the decision for or against it and how that decision has affected them...

I'm looking forward to the time when I can apply -- it's something both hubs and I have discussed.  If it'll make it EASIER in any way, shape or form -- I've been asked ALOT if I'll apply for citizenship   

I'd like to see the pros and cons that people have weighed too. I would like to apply as well...and think I am eligible now too.  I've only briefly discussed it with the DH and his reply was "why?" and the best response I could muster was "cuz". 

I know it would be well easier with regards to travel but that doesn't seem to justify the cost and effort of it all. Plus I'm not really politically motivated here (yet) to have that drive to vote.

So lets hear the benefits and downfalls! 

Mmm, I do want the easier travel bit. And I figure if I'm paying taxes I want a vote as well, but not sure about that oath to the Queen! 

It was a really big deal for me to become a citizen, as silly as that may sound, and I am very, very glad I did it. It was absolutely no problem to remain a US citizen. When I renewed my US passport a few years later, at the embassy I was asked whether I had become a citizen of any other country, and I said yes, the UK in 2001. They said, that will be 80 dollars please, or something like that.

Having the freedom to live and work, not only in the UK, but in every country in the EU is a tremendous bonus for me. I actually work a good bit in Germany and believe me, the EU passports queue is quicker.

But I feel happier about the fact that I can vote and that my opinion "counts" here for something. I also think of it as my own tiny contribution to international relations - I have ties to two countries and two continents, and that colors my political "agenda" and my life-outlook.

And by the way, the "oath to the queen" has been modified a bit under the new citizenship ceremony. I believe it goes a little further than that now, and includes things like

"I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British Citizen."

The UK IS a very free society and its values are very democratic, indeed, monarchy notwithstanding. These are values of which we can be proud; it is the birthplace of democracy in a true historical sense.

I'm planning on doing it for a lot of personal reasons, but mainly because of the live/work anywere in the EU benefit. To not have to deal with visas anymore would be such a tremendous relief. And the df and I have grand plans about our retirement to Italy some day!  And I definitely feel a bit more connected to UK politics the longer I'm here, and would like to be able to legitimately get involved at some point!

What about dual citizenship? Do you still get the "perks" of both countries?

you do still get the perks of both countries, considering that you are a ligit citzen of both. The only downside I can see is that if you get in trouble with one government (or they want to question you or whatever), you cant seek protection from the other government. You can still run into the Embassy grounds and ask for protection from other civillians, but not from the police or government. But if youre an upstanding citizen and you keep your head down and your business to yourself there shouldnt be any reason for that to be a problematic downside

Im applying for my nationality on Wednesday the 28th of July. Ive just had my passport copy notarized and everything so basically Im all set to go. Im going it for a couple reasons. Not really so I can vote but more or less so I can A) Say Im a Dual National because to me thats quite an accomplishment and its a cool thing to say. Its stupid I know but none of my friends have lived abroad so for me to have TWO passports is just devilishly fun. And B) I love to travel and expect to do so very often as I get deeper and deeper into the photography biz. It would be a hell of a lot easier to move around the world (the EU and Commonwealth) as well as travel, having a British Passport.

I suppose it must effect my future family as well. Dont think it would effect my kids or their kids because their dad would be British thus giving them British citizenship automatically. But maybe it'll help somewhere down the line. Also if we ever wanted to move back to the UK it would be a hell of a lot easier. No papers involved. Just show up at the gate, flash the pass and collect my baggage to the sweet sounds of "Welcome Home".

Thats it for me tho.

Marsbar,

Cool - good luck with the naturalisation application - may it be swiftly granted!

M.

Thanks Misch. I hope it'll go smooth too but the 28th is the day the English Language requirement comes into effect so I have to somehow proove I can speak English! My god, IM AMERICAN! Of course I speak English. So we'll just have to wait and see how I can show the almighty Home Office that Im capable enough to get along in my native language lol.

That reminds me of an amusing anecdote from my application: My solicitor wrote down on the application, re knowledge of English, "not applicable, applicant is American".

That reminds me of an amusing anecdote from my application: My solicitor wrote down on the application, re knowledge of English, "not applicable, applicant is American".

So, this reminds me of a joke...

Q) What do you call someone who speaks three languages?
A) Tri-lingual

Q) What do you call someone who speaks two languages?
A) Bi-lingual

finally,

Q) What do you call someone who only speaks one language?
A) American

hee hee heee...of course, the DF says that can go for British too.

Sorry, a little off topic but had to throw it out there

When I moved across six years ago I was adament I would keep my American roots and out of respect to country and family, I would not apply for British citizenship.

Then I started to realize that I couldn't vote for the people who were making political decisions about my life here. I was stopped and asked questions anytime I left and entered the country. I was paying taxes for a country I didn't belong to. And, I'd made the decision that this was now my home...and I couldn't see any downsides to becoming British. Afterall, I could also retain my Americanism...I didn't have to give anything up; I only gained from being dual.

So I went through the motions and it was really easy. And I voted in my first British election not too long ago and felt really really chuffed. Been in and out of the country a couple times since and just waved my passport. I am so glad I did it.

Heck, I could even own property on the continent now. 
(Don't panic, honey...I have no intention of that.)

Oh, and a few other things...

I'm still voting in American elections, but I'm now whittled down to just the Presidential.
How did my family react? After I applied and when I'd just been notified that everything was a go, just didn't have the papers in hand yet, I went to the US for a family visit. I was hesitant to bring it up to my mother...her attitude of "Buy American" has always been engrained in us, even though I came from a military family and we'd travelled all over (my sister was born in England, for instance). No sooner had I said 'hello' did she tell me it was time I applied for dual nationality. 

I'm desperate for UK citizenship as that is the only way I can be certain of not being separated when my partner has long-term contracts outside this country.  Due to EU law not being "harmonized" with regard to gay couples, once we leave these shores we are strangers again, and I merely a Yankee visitor to the other EU country, subject to whatever visitor-visa requirements they have and the all important 90-day limit on my permission to stay.

This concerns me especially as my partner has recently been offered the opportunity to work in Germany for one year.  If she takes the contract as written, I won't be seeing her for a while.  If the EU would get its act together I would be able to accompany her as her partner, for however long she was working there.  I could still possibly apply for a visa to accompany her to Germany as her partner, but am concerned that this would jeopardize my ILR here when I apply for that next year.

Or, as is likely, she will turn down all or part of this opportunity because she does not want to be deprived of her private life for 9 months.  This could be bad for her career, but we hope for the best.  Perhaps something can be worked out.

I would take an oath to a purple pig if it would solve this problem.

When I was first looking in to coming here, people commented "It's too bad you aren't gay; it would be so easy then!" I read your comments and wonder what on earth possessed them to say that...your situation is, well...it's just not right! *hugs* I wish I had answers for you.