Question about Finnish citizenship through descent

[ajdl4]

Hi,

I figure this question has probably been asked a lot, and I'd appreciate anybody's advice on my situation. Hope his is the right place to ask this question.

My mother is from Finland, and has always held Finnish nationality and no other. My father (her husband) is British. In 1985 they both moved to Austria, which is where I was born (in 1989). From birth onwards I have always been a British citizen (inherited through my father).

My mother is still alive and I currently live in South Africa. I assume, based on the above, it's likely that I am eligible by declaration.

Is this correct?

If yes, what would the best process be for me? Is it necessary for me to submit a request for determination of citizenship? Or can I simply submit the declaration?

Thanks a lot for any advice!

[asanda]

Here is the link you need to read: http://www.migri.fi/remigration/descend ... sh_citizen

I think I read somewhere you are supposed to let them know by 21 years of age, or something, but read the above link and it will tell you everything.

[betelgeuse]

Here is the link you need to read: http://www.migri.fi/remigration/descend ... sh_citizen

That link is for residence permits so not relevant for OP.

I think I read somewhere you are supposed to let them know by 21 years of age, or something, but read the above link and it will tell you everything.

This is for losing citizenship. Even if citizen at birth, the OP can't be a Finnish citizen at the moment because he would have needed to done a notification that you reference (the age is 22).

http://www.migri.fi/finnish_citizenship ... ship_at_22

My mother is from Finland, and has always held Finnish nationality and no other. My father (her husband) is British. In 1985 they both moved to Austria, which is where I was born (in 1989). From birth onwards I have always been a British citizen (inherited through my father).

My mother is still alive and I currently live in South Africa. I assume, based on the above, it's likely that I am eligible by declaration.

Is this correct?

At the time of your birth Finland did not allow dual citizenship. You have never been a Finnish citizen so declaration is not available to you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_n ... itizenship

If you want to verify this, you can submit the request for determination.

http://www.migri.fi/finnish_citizenship ... sh_citizen

"You cannot acquire Finnish citizenship by declaration solely on the grounds of being a descendant of a former Finnish citizen. If you want to find out whether you currently are or formerly have been a Finnish citizen, you can request a determination of citizenship status by the Finnish Immigration Service."

[betelgeuse]

At the time of your birth Finland did not allow dual citizenship. You have never been a Finnish citizen so declaration is not available to you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_n ... itizenship

I have to backtrack on this since I searched the law in effect at the time. It seems dual citizenship at birth might have been ok.

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/1984/19840584

(I originally looked at the version before 1984 and there you would not get citizenship through mother if parents are married and the citizenship if the father is acquired).

I would submit the declaration because as part of the process they would need to investigate the history. I don't think you are a citizen currently.