A second passport?

[Mikie]

In my travelling research I've come to find that US citizens cannot obtain dual citizenship. However, there are these pressing rumours that we can, however, obtain a 2nd passport. Anybody know about this or have one? What are the requirements? I'm having trouble googling this and its difficult to locate on any of the US govt websites.

[SGaudreau]

mikie:

You can obtain dual citizenship, but the US generally does not acknowledge said secondary citizenship. When travelling from outside the US into the US you (if you are a US citizen and US passport holder) are required to use your US passport when doing so.

..my best friend has had dual UK and US citizenship for years and years.

[NinaPinta]

It is definatly possible to have another passport along with your US one. Or as in the case of my family, even 2 or three. The legality of this.... well, we still have yet to figure that one out.

On the upside, you always get to go through the shortest line in the pass control if you play your cards right.

[PeterF]

I dont know about the USA...but in UK it is possible to get a second passport....If you have a valid/acceptable reason.
e.g. Export Manager might be given a second passport if he had to travel both countries in some sort of political dispute...
At one time ...dont know about nowdays...it was not a good idea to try entering Israel with a passport full of stamps for Syria.

[Mikie]

Well thank you everyone for the replies. So how would one go about obtaining one? After Finnish residency is established, go to the Finland Consular and apply?

[superiorinferior]

Well thank you everyone for the replies. So how would one go about obtaining one? After Finnish residency is established, go to the Finland Consular and apply?

http://www.finland.org/doc/en/consular/nationality.html

Considering laws of both countries
General
Dual nationality can only be acquired in accordance with the laws of both Finland and the state in question

The laws in both Finland and the other state in question must permit dual (multiple) nationality before the acquisition of a second (additional) nationality. Finnish nationals may retain their Finnish nationality if the state whose nationality they apply for permits that. In the same way, foreign nationals who are granted Finnish nationality may retain their present nationality if that state allows it.

In order not to lose your nationality unintentionally, when applying for a new nationality you should find out in advance if the state concerned permits multiple nationality.

United States of America

The Unites States' State Department web site gives their view on Dual Nationality

The statement includes the following:

“A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth” and “A person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship”.

An expert opinion obtained by the Embassy of Finland in Washington D.C. states:

“U.S. will allow a U.S. citizen to become a Finnish citizen without losing U.S. citizenship, provided that the Finnish Nationality Act does not require such individual to renounce U.S. citizenship or allegiance to the U.S. as a condition for obtaining Finnish nationality".

The new Finnish law is in conformity with this.

Note 1: A dual citizen must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States.

Note 2: Declaration forms state that it is the individual’s responsibility to establish if the current citizenship is at risk. This is for individuals in other countries with laws that differ from U.S. laws.

http://www.finland.org/doc/en/consular/faq.html :

Questions about Nationality
If I obtain Finnish citizenship can I keep my American citizenship?
Yes, the US accepts dual citizenship.

How can I check if my marriage/divorce or my children have been registered?
Information is provided by the City administrative court and the Population register centre.

How long does it take to obtain Finnish citizenship?
The process takes roughly 4 months. It takes less if you register your personal details in advance. Finnish representatives abroad do not know how quickly the Directorate of Immigration processes applications.

What should I do to apply for US citizenship?
The US authorities handle applications for citizenship. Please contact your local INS office.

Does it cost anything to reclaim one’s citizenship?
Yes, the fee (2/1/2004) is €300. The fee for minors is €100
Please check the current exchange rate in USD by clicking here

Can you send me new forms so that I can reclaim my Finnish citizenship?
The forms will be available after 6/1/2003. The easiest way is to download them from the web site of the Directorate of Immigration.

Can I obtain Finnish citizenship through the application process since my grandmother was a Finnish citizen but lost her citizenship when she became a US citizen? My father never was a Finnish citizen. I live in the USA and am 35 years of age.
Unfortunately, you cannot.

I want to reclaim Finnish citizenship and I intend to apply. Can this help my German husband obtain Finnish citizenship more easily? We live in Germany but plan to move to Finland at some stage..
You must move to Finland for your spouse to obtain Finnish citizenship. Your spouse must also meet all the requirements for obtaining citizenship. Of these, only the requirement about the duration of living in Finland is less strict in his case.

I am a former Finnish citizen. I know that the Finnish authorities have no information about me because I was born and live abroad. I wish to obtain Finnish citizenship. What do I do?
You can reclaim Finnish citizenship by applying for it. If possible, enter your personal details in the Finnish Population Register. It speeds up the processing of your application. More information on how to enter your personal details can be obtained from the city administrative courts in Finland.

I live in the US and became a US citizen. I want to reclaim Finnish citizenship. My wife is a US citizen and we have two children. Both were born in the US. Can our children obtain Finnish citizenship according to the new law. What about my wife?
You can reclaim Finnish citizenship by submitting an application. Your children can obtain Finnish citizenship in addition to US citizenship. Proof of paternity is not required if the parents were married when the children were born. Your wife can obtain Finnish citizenship only if you move to Finland and she lives there long enough.

If the dual citizenship law applies to former Finnish citizens up to the second generation, how does it apply to me since I am a third generation American Finn?
If neither of your parents was a Finnish citizen, you cannot claim Finnish citizenship.

Before my mother was born, her parents (my grandparents, who were born in Finland) had obtained US citizenship. My mother was born in Finland, however, and move to the US permanently at the age of four. Did my mother ever have Finnish citizenship?
Your mother never had Finnish citizenship because your parents were not Finnish citizens at the time of her birth. As your grandparents were Finnish citizens, however, your mother can reclaim Finnish citizenship by indicating her desire to do so. Even if your grandparents are deceased, it does not prevent your mother from obtaining citizenship.

If the dual citizenship law applies to former Finnish citizens up to the second generation, how does it apply to me since I am a third generation American Finn?
If neither of your parents was a Finnish citizen, you cannot claim Finnish citizenship.

I live in the US and became a US citizen last year. At the same time, I lost Finnish citizenship. I heard that the new citizenship law recognizes dual citizenship. What must I do to reclaim Finnish citizenship?
You must complete the Directorate of Immigration form for reclaiming citizenship. Residents in Finland can submit their applications in person to the police authorities. Foreign residents can submit them either in person or by mail to the Finnish representatives in the country where they live, in your case the USA. You can submit an application in Finland while on vacation, for example.



Applying for citizenship
How long must I live in Finland before I can apply for citizenship?

You must reside continuously in Finland for 6 years before you can apply for citizenship. Alternatively, shorter periods of time can be incrementally added if they total 8 years. Incremental periods are counted only after you attain 15 years of age.

Can my foreign (Moroccan) husband obtain Finnish citizenship even if we live permanently abroad (in France) or are we required to live in Finland?
In order for your spouse to obtain Finnish citizenship, you must reside in Finland. See the foregoing response. The time required for a spouse to have resided in Finland is 2 years less (4 years continuous residence, or 6 years if added incrementally) than the general requirement mentioned in the foregoing response.

How long does the application process for citizenship take? I am a Swiss citizen and have lived in Finland for 10 years but intend to apply for Finnish citizenship now that dual citizenship is allowed.
The applications now (spring 2003) being processed in the Directorate of Immigration date from January, 2000. The directorate’s workload will increase when the new law takes effect and applications will be delayed more than before. You may have to wait up to 4½ years for a decision.


Can you send me citizenship application form?
You can obtain a current application form from the police authorities. Updated forms will be available after June 1, 2003. After that time you can get them most easily from the Directorate of Immigration web site.

[Hank W.]

Well thank you everyone for the replies. So how would one go about obtaining one? After Finnish residency is established, go to the Finland Consular and apply?

You mean getting a 2nd US passport... for travelling to Israel & Syria???