Irish/American citizenship

thegunshow

Hi all,
Just recently found out that my grandmother was born and raised in New York before she moved to Ireland,Does this mean i can claim American citizenship.I'm really in the dark on this and i have looked on the net and not found any answers,Can anyone help me please!!!

tallaghtoutlaws

thegunshow wrote: »

Hi all,
Just recently found out that my grandmother was born and raised in New York before she moved to Ireland,Does this mean i can claim American citizenship.I'm really in the dark on this and i have looked on the net and not found any answers,Can anyone help me please!!!

Unfortunately not it must be an immediate family member i.e mother or father. If you have a US Grandparent one of your parents must also be an American to be eligible.

Click Here

For quicker info call the US Embassy in Dublin

Teh Russ

If your parent from your grandmother was to claim US citizenship first, you would then qualify. The only downside of that is, as a US citizen, you have to pay US taxes wherever you are in the world!

MyPerfectCousin

Teh Russ wrote: »

The only downside of that is, as a US citizen, you have to pay US taxes wherever you are in the world!

The only way that's true is if:

1) You make lots of money (somewhere north of $80K for a single person or combined $160K for a couple)

AND

2) the place where you live has lower income taxes than the US. In that case, I think the IRS asks for you to make up the difference of what you would have paid living in the US

tinofapples

A similar sort of question and thought theres no point starting a new thread so OP hope you don't mind.

My wifes Dad was born in Pennsylvania and has US citizenship, my question is is my wife entitled to apply for US citizenship also ? Is there any restrictions in place i.e Does it have to claimed by a certain age or anything like that ?

It's not really for our benefit that I'd like to claim citizenship but more so for our daughter. Gives her more options for her future.

Chiarrai1

I have a query myself and quite frankly don't have a clue:

I am 19 years old, my father is an american citizen who lived in the states for 2 yrs when he was born, his mother (my grandmother) is an american citizen who lived there for 15 yrs.

Any lhelp would be hugely appreciated!!!!!!!

metrovelvet

If you have a parent who is/was a citizen then you are entitled to citizenship. Call the embassy .

tinofapples

If you have a parent who is/was a citizen then you are entitled to citizenship. Call the embassy

Is it really that simple ? In theory so my wife (Who's Dad was born over there) can claim citizenship, and in turn my daughter can claim same in a couple of years time, ya ? I tried calling the Embassy, was directed to their website !!

Fallen Buckshot

Teh Russ wrote: »

If your parent from your grandmother was to claim US citizenship first, you would then qualify. The only downside of that is, as a US citizen, you have to pay US taxes wherever you are in the world!

lol or wot they will send an IRS agent to track you down ?

metrovelvet

tinofapples wrote: »

Is it really that simple ? In theory so my wife (Who's Dad was born over there) can claim citizenship, and in turn my daughter can claim same in a couple of years time, ya ? I tried calling the Embassy, was directed to their website !!

Not in theory, in practise. Yes your wife can. Your wife can then claim for your daughter on her behalf. She will need birthcerts, deathcerts [if applicable] and marriage certs [if applicable.] Call the embassy again, tell them you want to bring in the documents and ask for an appointment. Get the application off the website and look at it.

tinofapples

And finally can i claim it once my wife has gained citizenship ? I could find myself being left behind by the 2 women in my life !!:eek:

Black Swan

As mentioned earlier in this thread, be sure to check how acquiring US citizenship will affect your tax status, especially if you end up maintaining dual citizenship (Ireland and USA). Speaking from experience, your tax situation will become more complex with dual citizenship, and can change overtime with the changes in USA legislation and administrations.

bacon?

hmmm, my uncle is a U.S citizen...

apparently i can only claim if it's an immediate family member...

if my mother claims through him... then i can claim through her... correct?

silja

bacon? wrote: »

hmmm, my uncle is a U.S citizen...
apparently i can only claim if it's an immediate family member...
if my mother claims through him... then i can claim through her... correct?

Yes and no. You cannot just claim US citizenship while living abroad, unless you are the child of a US citizen and in his/ her legal custody when born.

For your plan to work, your uncle would need to petition your mother (his sister) to come to the USA as a green card holder. After she moves to the USA, she can apply for you to join her as her son. Once you get the visa (it will take several years if you are over 21, longer if you are married), you can move to the USA and apply for citizenship 5 years later.

bacon?

silja wrote: »

Yes and no. You cannot just claim US citizenship while living abroad, unless you are the child of a US citizen and in his/ her legal custody when born.

For your plan to work, your uncle would need to petition your mother (his sister) to come to the USA as a green card holder. After she moves to the USA, she can apply for you to join her as her son. Once you get the visa (it will take several years if you are over 21, longer if you are married), you can move to the USA and apply for citizenship 5 years later.

dam, so i can't just fill out some forms online and have it by friday?

cailinmaith

Can I deduce from above discussion that it would be worth my while to get Dad to apply for citizenship as his mother was born in US? We have the documentation to prove that, however, my granny has died so would that make the application invalid? And if Dad applies, and actually gets it, could I then apply?

Thanks

InTheTrees

Fallen Buckshot wrote: »

lol or wot they will send an IRS agent to track you down ?

Yes, they will. The US Internal Revenue Service has treaties/recipocral agreements with most countries, even places the US state department isnt welcome. The US takes its tax collection very seriously.

SO it doesnt take much computer time to do some cross checking and if you owe them money they will get it.

InTheTrees

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

As mentioned earlier in this thread, be sure to check how acquiring US citizenship will affect your tax status, especially if you end up maintaining dual citizenship (Ireland and USA). Speaking from experience, your tax situation will become more complex with dual citizenship, and can change overtime with the changes in USA legislation and administrations.

yes. its a serious mistake to underestimate the reach of the IRS.

I've been in the US for almost 15 years and am entitled to a US passport but I've held off simpley because of the Tax situation and that was because of an inheritance in Ireland that the americans could have got their hands on.

If you're entitled to a US passport and plan on living there then by all means go get it. But if its on a whim or to make holiday travel a little easier once in awhile then at least consult an acountant first.

silja

cailinmaith wrote: »

Can I deduce from above discussion that it would be worth my while to get Dad to apply for citizenship as his mother was born in US? We have the documentation to prove that, however, my granny has died so would that make the application invalid? And if Dad applies, and actually gets it, could I then apply?

Thanks

How long was your granny in the USA? Has your dad ever lived in the USA? A child of a US citizen is only entitled to claim citizenship if the US parent has lived in the USA for at least 5 years, 3 of which have to be after the age of 14.

Black Swan

InTheTrees wrote: »

The US takes its tax collection very seriously.

Indeed!

cailinmaith

Boo! My granny came home to Ireland at the age of seven and never went back. So that's that then...

Lockstep

Yeah, I have the same problem. My grandad was born in the states but had to leave when he was a kid (great grandad had a hatred of cops and went on a bit of a spree. Ended up being deported)
Grandad also renounced his citizenship so he wouldn't have to fight with the Americans in WWII. Instead he spent the war guarding sites with the Irish LDF.


Looked into getting citizenship myself at one point only to find out that as my aul fella never worked in the States I had no chance. Grandad's abjuration didn't help matters.

RATM

InTheTrees wrote: »

yes. its a serious mistake to underestimate the reach of the IRS.

I've been in the US for almost 15 years and am entitled to a US passport but I've held off simpley because of the Tax situation and that was because of an inheritance in Ireland that the americans could have got their hands on.

If you're entitled to a US passport and plan on living there then by all means go get it. But if its on a whim or to make holiday travel a little easier once in awhile then at least consult an acountant first.

Some very insightful knowledge there InTheTrees.

Care to give us some info on how far the IRS can reach? I once met an US Oil Engineer in Bangladesh who claimed they could revoke his passport (and therefore his identity) if he didn't play their tune....

InTheTrees

As far as I know they have recripocal arrangements with tax authorities around the world, even Switzerland is on board now.

You may get away with just not filing, but you'd be taking a risk and the penalties they charge are severe, a few thousand owed to them and not paid can turn into tens of thousands over a few years. They don't go for jail time with us small fry they just add more and more to what you owe.

And they're one of very few countries that claim a share of a citizens income even when they don't live there. That's the creepy part.

ToniTuddle

silja wrote: »

A child of a US citizen is only entitled to claim citizenship if the US parent has lived in the USA for at least 5 years, 3 of which have to be after the age of 14.

I know a girl who is currently pregnant...in fact probably due to have the baby anyday now.
She is illegal...but well....how does that work paperwork wise.
I've heard hospitals can't refuse you treatment if you refuse to give details but have the money to pay for the treatment.

I knew a couple who were in America for 8 years illegal, they had a baby and only came home to Ireland when the kid was about 3 or 4.
For them to fly the kid must have had a passport...an American one?


It's all messy either way!

silja

RATM: Not sure about the IRS, but I know a US citizen who is way behind on his child support, and they tok his passport away, so he cannot travel oput of the country until he is current.

Toni: a baby born on US soil is an automatic US citizen. However, that does not entitle the mother to stay, should the authorities find her- they will deport her and give her the option of bringing the child with her or leave it with legal family in the USA or foster care. Hosptials cannot refuse you emergency care (ie if she shows up there in labour), but once she is delivered I believe they can kick her out.

whocares86

my late mother was born and raised in America and came to live in Ireland when she was 17. should i have any difficulties in getting American citizenship. would there be any advantages of getting it. what kind of documents would be required to get it

wdmfapq4zs83hv

Bit of a twist on the "if my parent is a US citizen can I claim citizenship"- My parent is an American citizen but I am adopted. IE I am Irish & was adopted by an Irish family, my birth mother is also Irish but living in US most of her life & is a US citizen. Am I entitled to US citizenship? Or does the fact that she is not my legal guardian matter. (By the way I am an adult)

InTheTrees

Ariyah Mushy Stripe wrote: »

Bit of a twist on the "if my parent is a US citizen can I claim citizenship"- My parent is an American citizen but I am adopted. IE I am Irish & was adopted by an Irish family, my birth mother is also Irish but living in US most of her life & is a US citizen. Am I entitled to US citizenship? Or does the fact that she is not my legal guardian matter. (By the way I am an adult)

I'm no expert and i'm guessing but I'd say yes, you're entitled.

Also I dont think you can have a legal guardian if yu're an adult can you?

InTheTrees

whocares86 wrote: »

my late mother was born and raised in America and came to live in Ireland when she was 17. should i have any difficulties in getting American citizenship. would there be any advantages of getting it. what kind of documents would be required to get it

You'd need her birth certificate certainly.

As for advantages... you cant go and live there without it so thats one.

If you dont plan on living there i'd say its less of an advantage and possibly a liability because as I said above they will want you to pay taxes even if you dont live there and even if you pay taxes elsewhere. Its worth investigating anyway.

silja

whocares86: You probably are entitled to citizenship, though it depends on when your mother and you were born, as the law has changed several times.

Swagger: you are probably not entitled to citizenship, as your USC biological parent gave up all parental rights/ ties to you when adopted. Ie for the purposes of law and immigration, you are the child of your adopted- Irish- parents and your biological mom doesn't count.


Both of you: have a read of the official info here:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=8554a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=8554a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

billyburg

i don't know if this had already been answered sorry but here goes. my mam was born in the US and holds a US passport, her dad (my granddad) was born in the US and his parents (my great grandparents) became naturalized citizens and all held passports. i've read from here that my mam needed to stay fives years, two after i was 14 but she only lived there until she was 4. i really want to get a passport or even an immigrant visa because i want to move over after college without needing a short term visa or sponsorship. is there anyway around the requirements since theres a line of citizens within my family or anything? cheers for any help!

silja

billyburg wrote: »

i don't know if this had already been answered sorry but here goes. my mam was born in the US and holds a US passport, her dad (my granddad) was born in the US and his parents (my great grandparents) became naturalized citizens and all held passports. i've read from here that my mam needed to stay fives years, two after i was 14 but she only lived there until she was 4. i really want to get a passport or even an immigrant visa because i want to move over after college without needing a short term visa or sponsorship. is there anyway around the requirements since theres a line of citizens within my family or anything? cheers for any help!

The only way would be if your mom moved to the USA. She can then petition you for a visa/ greencard. It would take about 3.5 years if you remain unmarried, 8.5 years if you marry in the meantime. Once you have the visa, your mother could return to Ireland if she wished.

whocares86

silja wrote: »

whocares86: You probably are entitled to citizenship, though it depends on when your mother and you were born, as the law has changed several times.


Both of you: have a read of the official info here:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=8554a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=8554a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

She was born in the 30's , i was born in the 70's

Wisco

The taxation issue isn't that big of a deal unless you earn a lot.
All I have to do is file a US Federal Tax return each year, but I don't actually pay anything as my Irish income is excluded since I've already paid tax on it in Ireland(I file the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion form). However, US tax laws are rather difficult and you'll need a professional or professional software to start out if you do decide to go ahead with it.
I'd say go ahead an apply if you have serious intentions to live there someday or for your kids' sake perhaps, but if it's only a whim it may not be worth the trouble.
Definitely don't underestimate the IRS.
Also, for anyone looking to get citizenship not through parents I believe you have to take an exam after living in the US on a Green Card for 5 years? (and even though it's my history, I probably couldn't correctly answer most of the questions on it! :rolleyes:)

myleftfoot

thegunshow wrote: »

Hi all,
Just recently found out that my grandmother was born and raised in New York before she moved to Ireland,Does this mean i can claim American citizenship.I'm really in the dark on this and i have looked on the net and not found any answers,Can anyone help me please!!!

your best bet would be calling into an embassy/consulate of the US. Have you already done this?

snorkleberry

MyPerfectCousin wrote: »

The only way that's true is if:

1) You make lots of money (somewhere north of $80K for a single person or combined $160K for a couple)

AND

2) the place where you live has lower income taxes than the US. In that case, I think the IRS asks for you to make up the difference of what you would have paid living in the US

Well the above two are true for many people.

Also, you are supposed to file an income tax return proving that you don't owe any money due to (1) and (2), which involves time and hassle, and could involve the further hassle of a tax audit to prove (1) and/or (2) are true.

Note that if your tax return is complex, i.e., business owner, when you do the American returns, you have to apply American rules for deductions, depreciation, etc. Juggling the rules of two countries when doing one's taxes are a big hassle. Also one's assertion that one makes less than the required amount and/or that the American taxes would be lower depends on one's interpretation of the rules. Be prepared for audits from two different systems. No fun.

InTheTrees

snorkleberry wrote: »

Also, you are supposed to file an income tax return proving that you don't owe any money due to (1) and (2), which involves time and hassle, and could involve the further hassle of a tax audit to prove (1) and/or (2) are true.

Is there a penalty for not filing a US return even if you dont owe money?

Those IRS "penalties" are horrible. They can grow exponentially and quickly and dont follow the normal rules about charging interest.

lcrcboy

Hay guys I had a US green card and it expired in 2004 I left the states with my parents in and around 1997 at age 7 Im now 20, Im wondering is it possible for me to renew my green card if I wanted to move back or would I have to apply for a green card all over again any info would be great

silja

lcrcboy wrote: »

Hay guys I had a US green card and it expired in 2004 I left the states with my parents in and around 1997 at age 7 Im now 20, Im wondering is it possible for me to renew my green card if I wanted to move back or would I have to apply for a green card all over again any info would be great

No way to renew it, sorry. You would need to apply via the lottery like anyone else, unless you have close family who are US citizens and live in the USA.