Am I a dual citizen or not?

I'm filling out a grant application for an overseas project. The application says that I MUST list dual citizenship. I am a U.S. citizen but my father was born in another country. I was born here, in the US as was my mother. I know that I *could* get a passport from my father's home country. (He is a dual citizen, holding both passports.) I had one as a juvenille, but it expired when I turned 18. I have never held a passport from that country as an adult.

Does this automatically make me a dual citizen? Or does being a citizen mean that you actively hold a passport?

Whether or not I'm a dual citizen should have no impact on my eligibility for the grant. But I want to make sure I fill out the application accurately. I asked the organization for clarification on this and was told:

" I don't know whether you are technically a citizen or not, that's something you would have to determine, and if so, include on your application. "

I guess the safe route would be just to say that I am a dual citizen whether I technically am or not?
Additional Details
august -- while the US only recognizes your US citizenship, you can still be a dual citizen because the OTHER country recognizes you as a citizen.

If it helps, my father is an Iranian and an American citizen. Iran has funky rules, which say anyone whose father is Iranian can claim Iranian citizenship. (Doesn't go the same on the mother's side, though.)

I don't think I am going to get "arrested for fraud" for filling out a grant form to the best of my knowledge! But, it could potentially jeapordize whether or not I get the grant, which is why I want to try my best to be accurate.

Bonkers!

I believe you are not as you do not hold another passport.

froggequene

Yes, you have dual citizenship with another country - if you were granted a passport for your father's home country as a child, you are clearly eligible for citizenship of his home country under their laws but it's up to you if you want to take up the option of the passport again

Belle

I just wanted to add that Yak and George are correct.

However it is gob smacking how ill-informed some people are in regards to dual citizenship. I guess unless they have been through it, or know someone who has, they have no idea.
The US does allow dual citizenship.
The US does recognize dual citizenship.
The US will NOT make a child who has dual citizenship choose which one they want to keep at age 18! There are some countries who do require this, however the US is NOT one of them. I personally know a lot of people who are dual citizens. Some who obtained dual citizenship as a child. US/and another country. The US never made the children choose when they turned 18. That is just ludicrous. People please educate yourselves and stop embarrassing yourself!
Belle

concerned neighbor

I think it depends on which other country you are claiming dual citizenship of.

Check out the USCIS website for more information.

ione_thestar1

Just ask questions about what your concerns are. Then go from there, this way you will resolve whatever you need to know. By the way, write out a list of questions that you want to ask BEFORE you ask someone. This is the route you should take whether you are on the telephone or in person. All of these people in the government, keep changing how things are done. To be on the safe side, just ask them. I wish you the best.

Xan

Kiddo, the perception of dual citizenship is in the eyes of the country granting it.
The US usually doesn't care for your dual. Meaning that in most cases, you are US cit. or not.
But when you travel to another country where you have requested and been granted dual citizenship, they may allow you and honor both passports.

Speak with your consulate in the US and they will be able to give you insight on the process. Usually you will have to re-apply to get back the citizenship you have let go.

Hope this helps.

Can you answer mine, please?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnkRN_MMrQp4rwa97bZhIQrsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090921064740AAoGCsJ

George L

Yak Rider is completely correct, and this question of taking the father's citizenship is common throughout the Middle East. Even if you don't think of yourself as an Iranian citizen, as far as that country is concerned, you are. If you showed up in Iran tomorrow, they would certainly treat you as Iranian.

Yak Rider

ALL children born of an Iranian father, NO MATTER WHERE BORN are considered to be Iranian citizens, period.

It is VERY DIFFICULT to renounce Iranian citizenship. This should give you an idea of how things work...

Citizenship

BY BIRTH: In general, birth within the territory of Iran does not automatically confer citizenship. The following are instances where birth within the territory of Iran does confer citizenship:
* Child born to unknown parents.
* Child born to non-citizens, one of whom was born within Iran.
* Child born to non-citizens, who, after reaching the age of 18, continues to reside within Iran for at least one year.

BY DESCENT: Child born to an Iranian father regardless of the childâ€™s country of birth.

MARRIAGE: Foreign woman who marries an Iranian man is entitled to citizenship.

BY NATURALIZATION: Iranian citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person must be at least 18 years of age, have resided in Iran for five years, not be a military service escapee, and not have been convicted of a major crime in any country. The wives and minor children (under 18) of naturalized Iranian citizens are also considered
Iranian citizens.

Dual Citizenship : not Recognised.

Exceptions: Child of an Iranian father, who acquires citizenship due to birth in a foreign country. A foreign woman who marries an Iranian is automatically granted Iranian citizenship, whether it s requested or not.

Loss of Citizenship

VOLUNTARY: Person seeking to voluntarily renounce Iranian citizenship must have reached the age of 25, have performed military service, have settled all affairs in the country, and acquired the permission of the Council of Ministers. Though the rules for renunciation of citizenship are stated in Iranian Law, practical experiences have shown that Council permission is difficult to obtain, thus hindering legal renunciation of Iranian citizenship.

INVOLUNTARY: Voluntary acquisition of a foreign citizenship does not lead to automatic loss of Iranian citizenship. According to Iranian law, any Iranian national who acquires foreign citizenship without due observance of legal procedures will not have a renunciation of citizenship recognized by the government of Iran. In the eyes of the government, a male (and, in some cases, his wife and children) is still considered a citizen of Iran, regardless of the
individualâ€™s status in the new country of citizenship.

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